About the PTAThe Opstad PTA exists to enhance the education of all students at Opstad. Through volunteers we run fundraising, distribute funds to programs, and run many in-school and after-school activities. The Opstad PTA is also part of the Washington State PTA and the National PTA which initiate and support legislation for education issues at the state and national level, including funding. Click to see...How the Opstad PTA spends its money Legislative Action and the PTA NEW INFO 9/30/08 |
Your PTA Officers for 2008/2009
Co-presidents: Alice Romano and Cathy Templin
Co-Vice Presidents: Noelle Blazevich and Joelle Treharne
Secretary: Leni Karr
Treasurer: Paul Sprouse
Membership: Shelley Huestis
Teacher Liaison: Gena Meyers
Website: Cathy Templin
How the Opstad PTA spends its money (2008/2009)
Here is a pie chart summarizing how PTA money is distributed. This chart does not include programs that cost money but also bring in money offsetting their cost so they are self-sustaining, like the the RISE program. Most membership income goes to the Washington State PTA and National PTA, so Walk-A-Thon fundraising is by far the major source of funding. For more details, please view the budget on the Documents page. Do you have a comment or concern regarding the budget? Please send email to opstadpta@yahoo.com .
Legislative Action in our PTA Region and State
Opstad Legislative Committee looking for Interested members!
We are looking for parents interested in becoming part of our Opstad PTA Legislative Committee. This Committee keeps track of and discusses the pros and cons of legislative bills affecting our schools. Some of these bills are proposed and voted on by PTA's from around our State. Members of our Committee also attend the State Wide PTA Legislative Assembly to hear about issues presented by PTA's around our State. The next Statewide PTA gathering will be on Friday and Saturday, October 3rd and 4th near Seatac Airport. If you would like to join our Legislative Committee, email
The PTA is very active in supporting legislature that benefits our kids. Please go to the following links to learn more.
- http://www.r2leg.org/advocacy/index.htm - This is our region's legislative webpage, and includes a description of what legislative chairs should do.
- http://fundingwaschools.org/
- this website discusses the current problem and what is happening
in the state to address the issues.
Tax information
The PTA does not normally send out receipts for donations. We are a non-profit 501(c) 3 Tax Exempt Organization for charitable purposes. If you need a receipt, please email us at opstadpta@yahoo.com and request one.
In addition to donations, your full membership fee is tax deductable.
Snoqualmie Valley District PTA Council for 2008/2009
President: Cathy Renner
Co-Vice Presidents: Christy Olson and Ahn Lee Horn
Secretary: Sue Karol
Treasurer: Alice Romano
Committees include Financial Review, Legislative, Membership,
Nominating, Parent Education, Reflections, Standing Rules, and Website.
How Washington State and Levies Fund Our Schools
The following link to a 2006 article describes much about why our district receives less money than other districts. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/education/2003315614_levylid21e.html .
If you can't read the article, my personal take is that it works something like this (forgive me if I don't have it totally right):
The state makes an
effort to keep education money somewhat equal across the state, so that
there are not huge differences in schools depending on the local wealth
(rich schools in rich areas, poor schools in poor areas). However,
local areas are allowed to raise extra money via taxes (levies), but
how much they can raise is based on an outdated formula. Back when the
rules were made 20 years ago, areas closer to Seattle were allowed to
raise an extra 33% because teachers cost more there, salaries were
higher.
So, it means we have
less money from levies, percentage-wise, to pay for raises to keep up
with nearby districts. And it is getting worse every year.
