The Future of K-12 Public Education in Washington State:
Expectations and Funding in 2009

WHAT: A Presentation by members of the Basic Education Task Force about current
opportunities to reform K‐12 Education in Washington state. Learn more about basic education; find ways for your voice to be heard and help ensure Olympia is listening to the needs of public schools in this state. Representative Ross Hunter will review the progress of the Basic Education Finance Task Force, scheduled to release their recommendations in a few weeks.

HOW THIS WILL AFFECT YOUR CHILD’S EDUCATION: The 2007 Legislature created a Joint Task Force on Basic Education Finance to “review the definition of basic education and all current basic education funding formulas”. The Task Force is to “develop options for a new funding structure and all the necessary formulas, and propose a new definition of basic education.” The Task Force will complete its work next month (December 2008). The result of this task force’s efforts and the outcomes of this upcoming Legislative session will determine whether public schools are on the right track to make changes to ensure that our kids graduate ready for university, college and work. This is your last chance to hear what the Task Force is doing, and what you can do and need to do to ensure that Olympia funds our public schools at the needed level – the state budget is in terrible shape, YOU NEED TO MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD about the importance of adequately public education. Don’t sit back and say to yourself, oh, so-and-so will do this, I don’t have to get involved. YOU need to get involved.

WHEN: Monday, December 1, 2008, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (this coming Monday, right after Thanksgiving weekend)

WHERE: John Stanford Center Auditorium, 2445 3rd Avenue South (at Lander), Seattle

WHY: Our Education finance system has not been overhauled in over thirty years!
Budgets and curriculum that were established in the 1970’s do not work in today’s global economy and technological world. It is time for change.

Questions, or to reserve child care, please contact: Heidi.Bennett@seatttlecouncilptsa.org, Melinda Mann at melbmann@comcast.net, Kerry Cooley‐Stroum at kcs@seanet.com

Supporting Sponsors: Seattle Special Education PTSA, Schools First, Coalition for Educational Equality, Filipino American Educators of Washington, Asian Pacific Directors Coalition, League of Women Voters, Partnership for Learning, Campaña Quetzal, Stand for Children, Successful Schools in Action and others.