What part of "NO!" do they not understand?
January 13, 2012- Just one week ago, the State Supreme Court ruled that the legislation has, over many years, failed to live up to its paramount constitutional duty: Amply funding public education. The Court made it clear to legislators: No more excuses; no more delays; no more cuts.
Yesterday, Sen. Rodney Tom and Rep. Eric Petigrew, along with 25th Legislator Sen. Jim Kastama, chose to ignore the Court's ruling. Instead, they want to dip into the same pool of funding the Court has said doesn't measure up, and siphon off millions of dollars for charter schools. The people of Washington have rejected charter schools at the ballot box- the last time in every single county in Washington. That's three strikes. Charter schools are little more than an unfilled promise to our students. They simply skim off those children whose parents have the time and capability to fill out endless applications. "As educators," WEA President Mary Lindquist commented yesterday, "WEA members are deeply committed to making sure all our students receive a quality education- an education that both inspires and equips them for the challenges of the 21st Century workplace. Across the state, there are countless examples of innovative schools doing exactly that. What we're seeing in these innovative schools is a return on investment we can all get behind." Senator Tom and Representative Pettigrew "..should be working on the full funding challenge presented to them last week by the state Supreme Court. The people of Washington are demanding full public education funding for our children and neighborhood schools," stated Lindquist. "Charter schools are a distraction from the real debate and not a full funding solution." The truth is: According to a 2009 study of charter school released by Stanford University examining 70 percent of students enrolled in charter schools: - 17 percent of charter schools provide superior education opportunities for their students.
- Nearly half of charter school nationwide have results that are no different from local public schools.
- Over a third, 37percent, show learning results that are significantly inferior to public schools.
The Focus of our Legislators should be on kids and educators, not failed legislation! Contact your Legislators today and let your opinions about Charter Schools be known!
________________________________________________________________________ January 5, 2012
BREAKING NEWS:
VICTORY! Students are the big winners in NEWS lawsuit ruling! The Washington Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the state is not meeting its constitutional obligation to "amply fund" public education. The Court also made it clear that funding public education is the state's highest priority -- and the state Legislature cannot delay or sidestep any longer. The 85-page opinion also said that the judiciary would keep an eye on lawmakers to make sure they fully implement education reforms by 2018. "The court cannot idly stand by as the Legislature makes unfulfilled promises for reform," Justice Debra Stephens wrote in the majority opinion. This is a big win for Washington students and schools! For nearly a decade, WEA and its partners (which include PEA and PSD) in the Network for Excellence in Washington Schools (NEWS) have been arguing that public education in our state is woefully underfunded. Our students and schools can no longer bear the impact of further funding cuts. Today, the state Supreme Court agreed. Now the responsibility for taking action and correcting this injustice to our students is where it belongs: With the state legislature. The legislature can no longer punt on full funding for public education. The Supreme Court has made it clear: No more excuses; no more delays. Lawmakers convene Jan. 9 for a 60-day session. Contact your legislators today- explain how further cuts will affect you and your students. Call 1-800-562-6000, or send an email from your home computer by going to www.ourvoicewashingtonea.org. Don't EVER do this from either your school computer or during your school day! ____________________________________________________________________________
PEA and PSD Wear RED for Public Ed ! Brouillet Elementary Wears Red! 
Thanks to all who participated in our Wear RED for Public Ed day Monday, November 28. Look below to see more pictures that various sites sent in to show their participation. Januray 9 was the first day of thel egislative session. The Washington State Legislature is poised to cut millions of dollars from public education to address a nearly $2.5 billion shortfall. Recommended cuts include: - Eliminating levy equalization
- Eliminating funding for all-day kindergarten
- Shortening the school year by FIVE days
- Increasing class sizes in grades 4-12
- Cutting salaries by an additional 1 percent
- Reducing the allocation for K-12 employees' health care
- Eliminating National Board Certified Teacher bonuses
- Eliminating sick leave cash-outs
These potential cuts will force schools to lay off more teachers and support staff and force our kids into overcrowded classrooms.
It's time to act. Contact your Legislator TODAY and tell them that ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! We can't take any more cuts! "Deep Cuts" Signs were Delivered to all 25th Legislators at the Rally in Olympia Monday!   Edgerton Wears RED! 
Meeker wears RED! _______Zeiger Wearing RED!____________  Shaw Road Wears RED!
 ________________________Northwood shows their RED!____________________
The Ladies of Woodland wear RED! 
Pope in RED!   WWaller Road #1...... #2..................  and #3- All Wear RED for Public Ed!!
Don't see your photo here.... send them to us at kmcnamara@washingtonea.org!"
Grade-In at the Mall- a Great Success! 
Last Monday, 42 members of PEA brought stacks and stacks of papers to correct and sat in the Food Court and graded papers. Kids stopped by to see their teachers, several shppers wondered what we were doing, and the merchants were curious to know why people were showing up with stacks of papers. We had a good time, and all agreed that this was a great thing to do. Check out the photos on the Grade-In at the Mall page of this website to see this Grade-In in action! We'll be doing this activity again, so be watching for a new date soon.  __________________________________________________________________________ 2011-12 Bargaining Team Named The following members have agreed to serve on the 2011-12 Bargaining Team: Elementary Rep: Lisa Elliott (Zeiger) Junior High Rep: Larry Swanson (Aylen) High School Rep: Molly Susee (ERHS) Special Services Rep: Rosemary Thomas (Fruitland) Specialists Rep: Claire Ellis (Firgrove) Please thank these members in advance for all of the hard work that they are going to be doing on our behalf! __________________________
PEA Exec Board Members: President: Karen McNamara (PEA Office) 253-845-4535 Vice-President: Jennifer Oliver (Edgerton) 253- 840-8809 Secretary: Lisa Elliott (Zeiger) 253-841-8663 Treasurer: Terry Addison (Zeiger) 253-841-8663 UniServ Rep 1: Heidi Eshpeter (Woodland) 253-841-8747 UniServ Rep 3: Kelley Lee (Pope) 253-841-8755 UniServ Rep 4: Larry Swanson (Aylen) 253-841-8723 UniServ Rep 5: Amy Tutty (Edgerton) 253-840-8809 UniServ Rep 6: Angelo Mills (Firgrove) 253-841-8733 UniServ Rep 7: Kim Petty (Shaw Road) 253-841-8675 UniServ Rep 9: Katie Fralick (Stewart) 253-841-8743 UniServ Rep 10: Sheila Whittingslow (Meeker) 253-435-2592 UniServ Rep 11: Julie Harding (Sunrise) 253-841-8744 UniServ Rep 13: Tawana Bens (Ferrucci) 253-841-8756
| 