Advocacy

Our Advocacy Directors
Kristi Schwesinger & Zahra Eslami ([email protected])

Regional Town Hall: Student Voices Leading the Way Forward

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the January 7, 2026 Regional Town Hall on Education Funding — students, families, educators, community members, and legislators. Your presence, engagement, and support helped make this student-led event meaningful and impactful.We are grateful to all who shared their time, voices, and perspectives as we came together to advocate for fully funded, equitable, and sustainable public education in Washington!

Take the next step:

Sign the letter to State Legislators calling for fully funded K–12 education
Get more information and keep updated at www.waK12.org
Join the K–12 Funding Coalition — especially students
Watch your mailbox for February ballots and help your school community with levy and bond campaigns. These community votes are critical.
Join us in Olympia for Days at the Capitol: Jan. 19 — WA State PTA Focus Day, Jan. 26 (updated) Washington Education Assoc., Jan. 29 — Washington State School Directors’ Assoc.
🔗 View the Town Hall Slide Deck

Students, Families, Educators, and Community Members:We invite you to attend the Regional Town Hall on Education Funding and add your voice to a growing call for a fully funded public education system. Washington State continues to fall short of its paramount, constitutional duty to fully fund K–12 education—leaving students, schools, and communities facing serious challenges.
Join a unified coalition of PTAs, school district leaders, educators, students, and families from ten school districts: Bellevue, Issaquah, Lake Washington, Mercer Island, Northshore, Renton, Riverview, Shoreline, Snoqualmie Valley, and Tukwila. Together, we will highlight the real impacts of underfunding and advocate for meaningful, sustainable solutions.
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
7:00–9:00 PM
Newport High School Gym (Bellevue School District)
4333 Factoria Blvd SE, Bellevue, WA 98006
OSPI Superintendent Chris Reykdal, along with Washington State legislators, will join the conversation as we examine the state’s education funding crisis and discuss concrete action steps communities can take to drive real change for K–12 students across Washington.
This is our opportunity to show lawmakers that investing in students is investing in Washington’s future.
Pre-submit your questions for legislators
Volunteer sign-up link
Learn more about the event and education funding advocacy: www.wak12.org

Map of the Districts for the Bellevue School District

Washington State PTA's Legislative PrioritieS

The Washington State PTA legislative platform is a two-year platform to mirror the Washington state legislative cycle. On the even-numbered years, the new platform is voted on by members at the legislative assembly in the fall. The top five issues become our short-term platform and consist of our priority issues when advocating throughout the year. Other issues are placed on an “also supported” list. During the odd-numbered years, members vote to amend current issues or to add new, emerging issues to the also supported list. For a full description of the platform and Top 5 issues, please visit: https://www.wastatepta.org/focus-areas/advocacy/.

Legislative Priorities for 2023-2024