Advocacy

YOU CAN MAKE AN IMPACT!

As a parent, as soon as you speak to a teacher or administrator about a concern, you have become an advocate for your child!

Local PTAs provide their families with the tools and forum to collaborate and change policies not only within their children's school, but also at a county level, district level, state level and national level. A nationally organized and supported advocacy effort is unique to the PTA and sets us apart from unaffiliated Parent Groups.

For over 100 years, PTA volunteers have used their time, energy, experience and knowledge to change laws, policies and programs for the benefit of children. Many benefits our children receive today, such as universal kindergarten, the National school lunch program, and a juvenile justice system were accomplished as a result of the PTA mission.

Remaining Non-Partisan
The PTA is nonpartisan and we do not support or campaign for any elected representatives. We do, however, work with members of both political parties to educate lawmakers about officially adopted PTA positions, or support particular pieces of legislation that our membership has voted to support as part of the Virginia PTA or National PTA Legislative program.

Local PTA Advocacy

The needs of each school community are unique, so it is important that as a PTA leader you understand:

How you can use positions and resolutions to support your school's needs.
Your county's school budget approval process
Which elected officials represent families in your school's attendance zone.

Position Statements
If you have a broad issue impacting your entire school community and you want to be able to speak on behalf of your parent community you can vote to take a position on an issue in your PTA general membership meeting so that you can speak with one voice at School Board and Board of Supervisors Meetings. Please ensure that your position statement does not conflict with Virginia PTA or National PTA positions and that when speaking with elected officials you use your PTA’s name.

Resolutions
You can also choose to write a Resolution to address a concern you are dealing with locally. That Resolution, from your local school PTA or a group of several schools working together, can be submitted to the Virginia State PTA to gather support and visibility for an issue that is statewide in scope.

Virginia PTA resolutions are official documents outlining a researched issue (that have at least 3 sources of data no more than 6 years old to substantiate each Whereas statement) and reflect the will or intent of the association to address statewide problems, situations or concerns that affect children as well as define statewide action to seek resolution and advocate on issues. Approved resolutions become position statements of the Virginia PTA. Get more information about writing a resolution.

School Board Budget Timing:

October/November: Generally the School Board Budget process starts with the Superintendent setting a proposed Capital Improvement and Capital Asset Preservation Budget.
January: The Superintendent sets an Operational Budget which the School Board will discuss and modify and/or approve.
February/March: The School Board presents their approved budgets to the County Board of Supervisors.
April: The County Board of Supervisors will set a tax rate and allocate funding to (hopefully) meet the requested needs of the School Division. If allocated money from the county does not fully meet the School Board's approved budget then they will make cuts to their Operational Budget in April.

Virginia PTA Advocacy

Every year, Virginia’s local PTA units approve a legislation program that represents its official position on a wide variety of issues affecting children and youth. The program consists of legislative action items and policy statements and is the basis for official testimony by the PTA at legislative hearings and before other agencies. Consider attending Virginia PTA's Annual PTA Day at the Annual General Assembly to meet with your legislators and learn about how to effectively advocate.

The General Assembly is in session from January to March and bills cross-over from one side to another in mid February. Make sure you are meeting with your elected officials prior to January if you want them to sponsor a bill.

National PTA Advocacy

Each year National PTA publishes a public policy agenda that outlines policy priorities and recommendations for Congress. From universal kindergarten, special education, and a juvenile justice system to ensuring federal funding supports our classrooms, National PTA advocates have been critical to ensuring all children reach their highest potential.

Have Questions? Contact Advocacy Chair, Laura Espiritu
ADVOCACY@HUNTDISTRICTPTA.ORG

Tips for commenting on a Resolution/Position Statement

2020 Legislative Priorities
2020 Legislative Priorities

LOUDOUN ADVOCACY

2018 Letter to BOS: Support LCPS Funding

Return To School 2020-2021
Questions Submitted to LCPS
2020 Letter to LCSB: Safely Reopening Schools
2020 Letter to LC BOS: Safely Reopening Schools
Virginia PTA BOD Statement: Phased School Reopening
VDOE Recover, Redesign, Restart

Equity
EQUITY@HUNTDISTRICTPTA.ORG
2020 Statement: Racial Inequities
LCPS Equity Plan
Resolution: Advancing Equity and Diversity
2019 Letter to LCSB: AdHocEquity Committee

LGBTQIA+ Inclusion & Protection
2020 Letter to LCSB: Misgendering of Students
2018 Letter to LCSB: LGBTQ Language
LGBTQ Protection Resolution
Every Child in Focus Leadership Series: LGBTQ
National PTA Inclusion Strategies & Data
2018 LGBTQ Youth Report

World Languages
Resolution: World Languages K-16