Projects In Progress: Funding WA Schools

Understand the consequences of underfunded K-12 students

Grassroots Advocacy Projects-In-Progress — Engage in an endeavor

Funding Washington Schools

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There is a variety of ongoing efforts to which you can contribute. Many advocacy efforts or programs are personal projects — additional hands and voices are always welcome. On this page you may find some activities you may wish to participate in too.

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Build Legislator Support Directly For Ed Funding --

Regional Influence, State-Wide Benefits

Nine legislators have been identified on whom to focus local ed funding messages – the significant stories, issues and questions from their local education leadership. Delivering the key portion of that messaging will be at least one Superintendent and School Board member from each of their respective Legislative District.

Your help is needed to identify a group of superintendents, school board members, and constituent advocates in each legislative district who are able and willing to press their case for a prioritization of funding for public education versus other equally important and necessary state services.

CONTACT Dennis Gerlitz at dgerlitz2@comcast.net if you have suggested contacts or would like to be a member of one of the district groups.

MISSION: Deliver significant education stories and questions from the trenches to the 9 key legislators.

REQUESTS TO YOU

1) Help identify by name any of your Superintendent or School Board members you believe may be particularly motivated and helpful, ad provide their contact info to Dennis Gerlitz — Dennis is glad to do the initial call to the contact.

2) Recommend an approach that may best be received and foster a collaborative response

BACKGROUND

Efforts strictly related to lack of specific school funding examples within those 7 legislative Districts

There are 6 Senators and 2 Representatives - “specific power legislators” (S.P.L.’s)

Goal = Influence the most powerful legislators impacting the rest of their colleagues

Senate is the central focus -- House is fairly committed to funding goals

Personal contact is more effective; meet with individuals in Jun/Jul/Aug, meet quarterly thereafter

Develop 7 “teams” of advocates already informed and dedicated to the ed funding awareness mission

The 7 team members MUST be from the S.P.L.’s legislative district, consisting of:

- School Superintendent

- 2 Teachers (preferably Master Teachers &/or Nationally Certified)

- 2 School board members

- 2-3 parents (probably PTA, but not required)

This is a long term effort – likely 3-5 years plus

THE LEGISLATIVE AREAS WHERE TO IDENTIFY CONTACTS

3rd District, Spokane – School District: Spokane

11th District, Renton – School Districts: Highline, Kent, Renton, Seattle, Tukwila — Still needs local contacts!

9th District, Vancouver – School Districts: Battle Ground, Vancouver

24th District, Hoquiam – School Districts: Aberdeen, Brinnon, Cape Flattery, Chimacum, Crescent, Hoquiam, Mary M Knight, Montesano, North Beach, Ocosta, Port Angeles, Port Townsend, Queets-Clearwater, Quilcene, Quillayute Valley, Satsop, Sequim, Taholah, Wishkah Valley — Still needs local contacts!

33rd District, Kent - School Districts: Federal Way, Highline, Kent, Renton, Tukwila — Still needs local contacts!

35th District, Hoquiam - School Districts: Bremerton, Central Kitsap, Elma, Grapeview, Griffin, Hood Canal, Mary M Knight, North Mason, Oakville, Olympia, Pioneer, Rochester, Satsop, Shelton, South Kitsap, Southside Tumwater

43th District, Seattle – School Districts: Seattle

44th District, Lake Stevens – School Districts: Edmonds, Everett, Lake Stevens, Snohomish

49th District, Vancouver – School Districts: Battle Ground, Vancouver — Still needs local contacts!

CONTACT – Dennis Gerlitz at dgerlitz2@comcast.net