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AccountDear Horace Mann Elementary Community Members,
Over the long weekend on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, PTSA members from across the state gathered at the Legislative Building in Olympia for Focus Day. At a time when Washington is facing a budget crisis, our message to legislators was clear: do not cut education funding.
This year's focus was Closing the Funding Gaps and ensuring K–12 education remains a top budget priority. We advocated for closing persistent gaps in basic education funding, including MSOC (materials, supplies, and operating costs), special education, and student transportation.
PTSA members from our district met with several legislators to advocate for the needs of our students, including Representatives Janice Zahn, Roger Goodman, Davina Duerr, Shelley Kloba, Osman Salahuddin, Larry Springer, and My-Linh Thai, as well as Senators Derek Stanford and Lisa Wellman.
The day was filled with energy and optimism as we moved from one meeting to the next. Each representative welcomed us with respect and openness, shared their own positive connections to our community, and spoke thoughtfully about both the challenges and opportunities within the current budget. These conversations reinforced an important truth: advocating for education is an investment in the bright futures of all children in Washington. When we raise our voices together, legislators listen.
One of the most encouraging meetings was with Representative Roger Goodman, who spoke with genuine enthusiasm about the importance of fully funding education. As a parent of two children who attended schools in the Lake Washington School District, he brings a personal understanding of the impact these decisions have on students and families. Representative Goodman committed to holding the line on K–12 funding and acknowledged the unintended financial burden that recent sales tax legislation (SB 5814) has placed on schools. He also emphasized his strong support for student mental health, including interest in a statewide, bell-to-bell cell phone policy, and voiced support for a high-wage earners tax as a potential path to increased revenue.
While every legislator expressed support for education and stated they do not want to see funding cuts, many were candid about the challenges ahead. Revenue shortfalls and the current prototypical school funding model—which prioritizes enrollment numbers over student needs—remain significant obstacles.
It is clear this will be a long fight to secure fully funded, equitable education for every child in Washington State. As voters and advocates, it is our responsibility to stay informed, support legislation that strengthens education funding, and continue engaging with our elected officials.
Together, we need to continue advocating for the basic right to a fully funded education for all children in Washington.
In partnership,
Morgan Sampson
The National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) was founded in 1897 as the National Congress of Mothers, with a mission to improve the lives of children and families through education, health, and safety initiatives. Over the decades, PTA has evolved into one of the most influential child advocacy organizations in the United States, shaping policies that impact millions of students nationwide.
Washington State PTA (WSPTA) sets its legislative platform every two years. For the current cycle, the Top 5 Legislative Priorities are:
Are you interested in joining our 2026 Legislative Committee to help amplify our collective voice for Washington State students and schools? Email advocacy@mannptsa.org to get involved.
