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Sept 28, 2010    



WELCOME, SAND POINT ELEMENTARY PTA!

Congratulations goes out to our newest PTA. Sand Point charted with 45 members - impressive for a school of 88 children. (They're aiming for 100 percent participation). Joining parents as chartering members: The entire staff, the school board director and community members who live in the area. What a way to build a new school community!


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LEVY, I-1098 ON AGENDA
WE NEED TO DISCUSS ENDORSEMENT AT OCT. 4 MEETING
Seattle Council PTSA general meeting
We need you there. One vote per PTA/PTSA

Oct. 4 general meeting
6:30-8:30 p.m. (network at 6:30; agenda starts at 7 p.m.)
John Stanford Center auditorium, 2445 3rd Ave. S, 98134

Each PTA/PTSA should send a voting delegate. All are welcome, but just 1 vote per PTA/PTSA. We need to discuss, and possibly endorse the school levy, I-1098 and I-1107. We would also like to discuss Referendum 52.

The Washington State PTA has endorsed I-1098 (limited income tax) and opposed I-1107 (repeal of bottled water, soda, candy tax). The Seattle Council PTSA board has endorsed the school operations levy.

School operations levy
Additional $48.2 million over 3 years

Cost to property owners: $48 a year for a $400,000 house.

To offset state cuts, local districts are being allowed to ask for more local funds. This would raise about $16 million more per year for the next 3 years. The operations fund pays for items such staffing, textbooks and classroom materials.

Part of it would be used to pick up additional costs agreed to in the teachers contract, such as an hour of after-school collaboration time, career ladder and updated evaluation process.

Endorsed, SCPTSA board


SPS information: http://www.seattleschools.org/area/levy-info/index.dxml

Yes campaign: http://www.schoolsfirstseattle.org/
No campaign: http://enforcetopdownreform.blogspot.com/

RELATED: Recommendations for engagement around budgeting. The SCPTSA board will present and ask for your endorsement.

I-1098, limited income tax

Would impose tax on high income earners ($200,000 individual; $400,000 couples filing jointly).
  • Funds would be used to lower state portion of property tax, reduce business and operating taxes and raise revenue for education and basic health care.
  • Would help balance tax burden between low and high income earners.
Endorsed, Wash State PTA

In Support of Initiative 1098

http://yeson1098.com/

Bill Gates Sr. helped create Initiative 1098 because he knows Washington's middle-class families are struggling and the wealthiest need to start paying their share. I-1098 dedicates $1 to $2 billion per year for education and health care, guarantees only the wealthiest 1.2% pay more.

*Endorsed by Children's Alliance, League of Education Voters, Washington Education Association, Washington State PTA, Washington Student Association

In Opposition of Initiative 1098

http://www.defeat1098.com/

The Association of Washington Business released results of an online survey of 900 members last week that said most think I-1098 would hurt job growth, despite tax breaks for most small businesses.
* Opposed - unable to identify any education association/organization.

* Neutral - Stand for Children.


I-1107, rollback taxes

Would rollback taxes on bottled water, soda and candy passed by the state legislature.

Opposed, Wash Sate PTA

More info: http://www.seattlecouncilptsa.org/cat_index_42.shtml

Referendum 52, healthy schools

Would upgrade aging schools, address energy use and safety issues.

More info: http://www.seattlecouncilptsa.org/cat_index_42.shtml

WHY DISCUSS TAX MEASURES?
The revenue goes to pay for schools, and making sure schools are amply funded, per the state constitution, is our No. 1 legislative priority.

Wash State PTA and Seattle Council PTSA have called for more funding for schools but have not addressed how to increase spending without cutting the health and social services programs we also support.

Washington State PTA President Scott Allen: "When we worked to pass landmark education reform legislation in 2009, we made a commitment to help find the additional funding needed to support it." He added that "it is wise to invest in our future, even in tough economic times."
Also on the agenda: SCPTSA must approve our 2010-11 budget, vote in a nominating committee, review our standing rules.

We really do need you there.
 
Sincerely,
 
Ramona Hattendorf
Seattle Council PTSA president