Many people may only know Anacortes as the gateway to the San Juan Islands. But it is quickly becoming known for another reason, as a hotbed of education reform. Through the concerted efforts of administrators, School Board members and parents the Anacortes community is leading the way in supporting substantial reforms of our public schools.
PTAs are holding letter writing parties and parents are keeping each other up to date on the latest developments in Olympia. This week there is a great example of this community’s leadership. The Anacortes High School PTSA invited the other 6 Anacortes PTA’s to join them for their monthly meeting. The focus of the meeting will be education advocacy–calling and letter writing to our legislators. The Anacortes High School PTSA is providing envelopes pre-addressed and paper. All the PTA Presidents in Anacortes sent out a notice to their members inviting them to attend and encouraging them to contact legislators.
The PTA’s have really stepped up in Anacortes!
PTAs have invited local activists and School Board members to attend general membership meetings to provide information of what’s happening and how they can be involved.
Their support has had a big impact on the elected Representatives and Senators from the area with most of them signing on as sponsors in support of the Basic Education Task Force Legislation (SB 5444 and HB 1410). Senator Ranker reports more email and calls in support of education reform than any other subject this session.
Hopefully, communities from across the state can learn from Anacortes and help support reform in, and resources for, our public schools.
