tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post8151967825618354672..comments2024-03-28T23:38:22.511-07:00Comments on Seattle Schools Community Forum: Washington State PTA to Members: Not Qualified to Talk about Money for EducationMelissa Westbrookhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-13027400403687326242016-08-17T11:26:59.643-07:002016-08-17T11:26:59.643-07:00If you are writing a personal ethics statement by ...If you are writing a personal ethics statement by choice, such as for a book or personal growth, write it in any way you choose as long as it reflects your values. See more <a href="http://www.personalstatementmasters.com/" rel="nofollow">personal statement for masters</a>Tamanna Farhanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14627519287784226885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-90871556151713080582016-05-23T15:12:55.962-07:002016-05-23T15:12:55.962-07:00"My own view is that WSPTA should be exactly ..."My own view is that WSPTA should be exactly focused on lobbying for state tax reform, i.e., a progressive income tax/regressive sales tax swap, with significant net increased revenue to fund McCleary mandate, while causing a net decrease in overall tax burden for most WA taxpayers. Not the only scope of PTA, but should be a major one at this time in our state, given the funding crisis".<br /><br />Agree with you Brian. <br />-MTAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-36353506430906788872016-05-23T13:01:32.093-07:002016-05-23T13:01:32.093-07:00This new WSPTA leg director, Duncan Taylor, is ent...This new WSPTA leg director, Duncan Taylor, is entitled to express his opinion, wrong as it sounds to me. Not sure, though, if his view on role of PTA, and even of parents broadly, in not properly lobbying for state tax reform is the prevailing view within the board, or, moreover, within the statewide membership as a whole. Has there been a debate and vote on this at any level within PTA?<br /><br />My own view is that WSPTA should be exactly focused on lobbying for state tax reform, i.e., a progressive income tax/regressive sales tax swap, with significant net increased revenue to fund McCleary mandate, while causing a net decrease in overall tax burden for most WA taxpayers. Not the only scope of PTA, but should be a major one at this time in our state, given the funding crisis.<br /><br />My opinion is that if the PTA leadership is dead set against the historical mission of the PTA as a child advocacy organization to lobby our state government to amply fund public education, then (1) new leadership should be voted in that will, and (2) outside organizations like WPD could step in to fill the void in the meantime.<br /><br />Brian Duncan, parent at Ballard HS and Salmon Bay K8<br /><br />Brian Duncannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-5014884750224457162016-05-23T10:39:40.038-07:002016-05-23T10:39:40.038-07:00Wow. When Ingraham was discussing whether or not ...Wow. When Ingraham was discussing whether or not to leave the PTA and becomes a PTO, one of the strongest argument arguments in favor of staying was the importance of being part of a collective voice in state and national lobbying. And now, the PTA is rejecting that, wanting PTA's to just be eye candy, and to stay out of the hard work of, for example, getting adequate funding for education state wide. I am appalled. <br /><br />I wonder why anyone would see value in remaining as part of PTA as a result of this. <br /><br />RosieReaderRosieReaderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08252361027682685158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-88317880387026505962016-05-23T09:45:13.921-07:002016-05-23T09:45:13.921-07:00Any formal response from the Seattle Council Board...Any formal response from the Seattle Council Board?Maureennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-65658446370806376002016-05-23T08:57:24.304-07:002016-05-23T08:57:24.304-07:00Ramona, that's how it feels to me as well.
...Ramona, that's how it feels to me as well. <br /><br />Mr.Taylor has reached out to me and I'll listen to what he says and report back.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-56913808663592144432016-05-23T01:15:44.690-07:002016-05-23T01:15:44.690-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Ramona Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17269272676307680777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-30747211553266672192016-05-23T01:15:07.952-07:002016-05-23T01:15:07.952-07:00This comment has been removed by the author.Ramona Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17269272676307680777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-61583622580201923762016-05-23T01:14:50.465-07:002016-05-23T01:14:50.465-07:00Also ... yes, parents damn well DO have the expert...Also ... yes, parents damn well DO have the expertise to discuss budget, revenue and policy. It's called learning, and sharing, and discussing options. It's called democracy. Don't let anyone ever tell you budget and revenue is just too complicated for you. And considering most PTA members are female, those comments are even more offensive, disheartening... and sad.Ramona Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17269272676307680777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-17063834435888733902016-05-23T01:09:07.679-07:002016-05-23T01:09:07.679-07:00This is so sad. WSPTA was a lead advocate for an i...This is so sad. WSPTA was a lead advocate for an income tax going back decades. The association has a very formal process of longterm and short term positions, and securing funds for education most certainly has been front and center on both. And going back ... I don't know, close to 10 years ... it has been a top 5 issue on the short term platform as well as part of the resolutions (that's like PTA law). And yes, I am not just talking about calling for full funding but for advocating for revenues to support children's wellbeing and education. (I was the staff policy/gov relations person for about 3 years as well as a former president of the Seattle Council PTSA). I left PTA a few years ago. I know it means a lot to many I hold in high regard. But I just can't. So sad <br />..Ramona Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17269272676307680777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-89005914185634993552016-05-22T22:43:45.380-07:002016-05-22T22:43:45.380-07:00There was an audible gasp when Duncan made his sta...There was an audible gasp when Duncan made his statement to the 300+ PTA leaders gathered at Convention. And while I agree that PTA does not need to outline "how" we fully fund basic education, it is ABSOLUTELY our responsibility to continue advocate for full funding for each and every student in our State! Duncan's comments were also in stark contrast to this morning's comments by WA State Teacher of the Year, Nathan Gibbs-Bowling, who urged PTA to continue our advocacy and to make our voices heard. "If not you, then who?" I believe were his exact words. I hope the WSPTAs board will continue to lead this important work.<br />Cassandranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-35880117159132541502016-05-22T21:29:17.693-07:002016-05-22T21:29:17.693-07:00Seattle Citizen - look for Duncan Taylor
Director ...Seattle Citizen - look for Duncan Taylor<br />Director of Operations at Washington Bankers Association<br /><br />I've never had success sending LinkedIn links. <br /><br />The bit that jumped out - besides the general tenor of jobs and corporations:<br />Product Specialist Apex Learning<br /><br /><br />Catherinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-44850806295700974192016-05-22T15:17:13.681-07:002016-05-22T15:17:13.681-07:00Okay, so I see the guy at LinkedIn does have this ...Okay, so I see the guy at LinkedIn does have this under volunteer experience.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-18337922818957915762016-05-22T15:16:35.163-07:002016-05-22T15:16:35.163-07:00Please be sure of any link you provide at LinkedIn...Please be sure of any link you provide at LinkedIn. People have similar names and you could get the wrong person.Melissa Westbrookhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17179994245880629080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-44163129303065365892016-05-22T14:42:51.988-07:002016-05-22T14:42:51.988-07:00Catherine, I couldn't find him on LinkedIn - c...Catherine, I couldn't find him on LinkedIn - could you provide a link? Or copy and paste the pertinent info?seattle citizenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16724175257161649500noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-75630096023337858692016-05-22T12:17:44.965-07:002016-05-22T12:17:44.965-07:00So if public schools want $$, they should pull the...So if public schools want $$, they should pull the kids from school, head down to Olympia, and use the kids as political lobbying leverage like the charter schools did? And even use public money to do so, like Success Charters in NY does? <br />Right. <br />It'll take all of 10 minutes before the legislators are calling foul, complaining about how public schools are wasting public money, using kids for political purposes, even though a double standard exists for charter schools (which also got double funding). <br />Whatever. WSPTA is no better than the majority of the ed deform astroturf groups like Stand on Children. <br /><br />CTAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-67816614240185764142016-05-22T11:27:34.984-07:002016-05-22T11:27:34.984-07:00Sounds like some "man-splaining" going o...Sounds like some "man-splaining" going on there....mirmac1https://www.blogger.com/profile/10183460709639638172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-58525184485563514902016-05-22T11:25:14.006-07:002016-05-22T11:25:14.006-07:00That is an absolutely baffling choice. It sounds ...That is an absolutely baffling choice. It sounds as though he is suggesting that PTSA families just continue to work backfilling holes in our ever-deepening education chasm? Personally, I am tired of doing so.<br /><br />I guess Washington's Paramount Duty IS the only game in town willing to advocate on this issue?<br /><br />BallardAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28765366.post-52463568692828968132016-05-22T10:49:35.123-07:002016-05-22T10:49:35.123-07:00Duncan Taylor - go to his LInkedIn Profile - it do...Duncan Taylor - go to his LInkedIn Profile - it doesn't take long to have a good idea of why he's saying that. Catherinenoreply@blogger.com