Advocacy at Broadview Thomson

Our Broadview Thomson community is actively advocating to the State for increased education funding from the State and to SPS to keep our school open in the future.

Join us to Fight for Funding in Olympia, February 17th

  • We have a chartered bus with room for 56!  Transportation and the event itself are free.

  • Depart from Broadview bright and early at 7am.  We will be back no later than 5pm.

  • Kids and families, come meet your reps and tour the capitol!

  • Speak directly to your representatives. Translation assistance is available.

  • Lunch can be pre-ordered or you can bring your own

  • Want a link to sign up for the bus or want to meet us there?  Contact info@broadviewthomsonpta.com

Can’t make it to Olympia but still want to help? Here are some other things you can do!

Join our WhatsApp group! The SPS/State Communications thread of our Broadview Thomson Save Our School WhatsApp has been reactivated here: 

Write a letter to your representatives or help us organize letter-writing events. It’s easier if we brainstorm together!

Participate in a call-in day to call your representatives to support education bills (or help us organize one!)

Advocacy FAQs

Why are we doing all of this? We Saved Broadview Thomson from closure….Didn’t We?.....

Seattle Public School District (SPS) is still facing an enormous budget shortfall, and we believe they will continue to push hard for school closures in the future. The budget shortfall is due, in part, to an enormous gap in education funding from Washington State. 

So now we need to shift our advocacy efforts to our State lawmakers.

It may seem daunting. But your voice can make such a huge difference right now! Here’s why:

  • This isn’t just a Seattle problem. SPS isn’t the only district facing a budget shortfall. Up to 50 school districts across the state are facing similar shortfalls this year, and many more will in years to come.

  • The State isn’t meeting its duty. Our State constitution says that it’s the paramount duty of the State to amply fund education. Paramount: before all other duties. Amply: not just enough funding, more than enough funding. The State isn’t even coming close. They are underfunding education in this state by around 4 billion dollars.

  • People are galvanized! Folks have had enough, and they are collaborating across Washington to pressure the state to fill in gaps in education funding. There is a lot of momentum this year, and we want to make it easy for you to add your voice to these efforts!

  • Our lawmakers are making decisions RIGHT NOW. Our elected representatives started a legislative session in January that runs now through the end of April. This is when they will make budget decisions for the next two years. There are more representatives than ever who are responding to constituent voices and sponsoring bills to fund education. If we speak up in support of these bills they might be adopted! If we stay silent, they might die in committee.


What to Know about Engaging with our Elected Officials in Olympia

Meeting our elected officials in person brings an incredible dynamic to our advocacy efforts. The conversations can be lively and impactful, here are some highlights:

  1. Awareness of “The Big Three” Priorities, now rebranding to “Constitutional Three”

    Most legislators are aware of our advocacy focus areas:

    ~Special Education (SpEd)

    ~Transportation

    ~MSOC (Materials, Supplies, Operations, and Classrooms)

  2. Budget Challenges Ahead

    State Superintendent Chris Reykdal has stated that Washington underfunds K-12 education by approximately $4 billion annually. This shortfall directly impacts critical areas such as special education, transportation, and essential classroom materials. To address these urgent needs, Superintendent Reykdal has proposed increasing the state’s K-12 budget by $2.9 billion in the 2025–27 biennium. 

    However, Washington State is projecting a $10 billion deficit in the upcoming budget. While this presents challenges for increasing education spending (or any other spending), it reinforces the need for persistent and united advocacy efforts.

  3. Advocating for Revenue Reform

    Our state tax system remains regressive, and many legislators recognize the need for reform. While some proposals face opposition, we must continue normalizing conversations about revenue solutions to support education and other critical needs. Key ideas discussed include:

    ~Lifting the Local Levy Lid: Restrictions implemented after the McCleary ruling need revisiting.

    ~Wealth Tax: A potential long-term solution to address funding gaps.

    ~Adjusting the Property Tax Cap: Raising the current 1% annual increase limit.

    ~Capital Gains Tax: Though recent initiatives limit its immediate expansion, this remains a long-term consideration.

  4. Hope for Increased K-12 Funding
    There is excitement about the proposed $1.3 billion increase in next year’s budget for K-12 education. Discussions focused on how to ensure these funds are used effectively.

  5. Understanding School Funding
    Here’s a good article for anyone who wants to learn more about how our schools are funded and why it’s problematic.

More Advocacy Resources

If you haven’t already, don’t forget to sign up for Action Alerts. Not only will this get quick, easy advocacy actions sent straight to your inbox but you’ll automatically get signed up for the Focus on Advocacy newsletter which comes out weekly during the session.