October 7, 2024
Dear Washington State PTA Leadership,
We, the Board of Directors of Seattle Special Education PTSA (SSEPTSA), want to acknowledge the concerns raised about the upcoming Washington State PTA (WSPTA) Legislative Assembly and to explain our reasons for supporting the Seattle Council PTSA (SCPTSA) boycott of this year’s WSPTA Legislative Assembly.
The following significant concerns were raised during SCPTSA’s general membership meeting on September 30, 2024.
- Seattle Pacific University is a private institution with a well-publicized history of discriminatory hiring practices. The choice of this location highlights our concerns about inclusivity.
- The lack of accessibility planning for the event including no virtual access, and limits on closed captioning that would leave debate and voting sessions inaccessible.
- The time and expense challenges faced by PTA representatives from across the state add further barriers to participation.
- Together, these issues indicate a disregard, however unintended, for the diverse needs of our membership.
The National PTA’s Mission Statement & Values state that all members, employees, volunteers, and partners have a shared responsibility to to work together in support of the association’s strategic initiatives. These initiatives focus on three key priority areas: Growth in Mission and Membership, Leadership Development, and Organizational Effectiveness.
We are dedicated to advancing the national PTA’s mission and upholding the core values of inclusion and equity:
- We request a venue that does not discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community.
- We continue to request that fundamental Accessibility Needs are met.
We recognize that the WSPTA had previously made progress through successful hybrid events, including Legislative Assemblies, which established inclusionary practices by increasing accessibility and uplifting voices of marginalized communities. The goal of increasing accessibility is in line with the National PTA priorities. If leaders from PTA’s of marginalized communities are not fully involved in decision making, the WSPTA legislative assembly will only benefit those with privilege.
Our support for the Seattle Council boycott is not meant to undermine the hard work that went into creating the Legislative Assembly. However, we cannot and will not support an event that excludes our members, who include disabled, neurodivergent, and LGBTQ+ students, families and educators.
The WSPTA has communicated to PTA’s several misrepresentations of SCPTSA’s Actions.
- The boycott and alternative legislative assembly were difficult decisions made by a group of Seattle PTA leaders who recognized the importance of the PTA’s overarching mission: Every Child One Voice.
- The recommendation to oppose the assembly was made democratically by the council members, who proposed, seconded, extensively debated, and ultimately approved the stance.
- During the meeting, it was clearly articulated that local PTAs have the autonomy to take their own positions. The suggestion of pressuring local PTA’s in Seattle to boycott the assembly misrepresents our collective decision-making process.
- The SCPTSA genuinely listened to leaders who expressed being uncomfortable with participating in this event, which is not accessible, at Seattle Pacific University.
To state that the SCPTSA is not supporting local PTAs is misguided. Leaders of the Seattle Special Education PTSA appreciate the SCPTSA’s genuine concern for systemic discrimination not being corrected by WSPTA leadership. It is disappointing that our concerns raised through the WSPTA Region 6 director have not been addressed.
Transparency and Accountability
- WSPTA’s response to the university’s non-discrimination policy was dismissive and insensitive.
- Supporting an institution that discriminates against LGBTQ+ people sends a harmful message that undermines PTA’s values of representation and inclusivity.
- WSPTA’s current actions do not reflect the commitment to advocate for all students, especially those from marginalized backgrounds.
WSPTA has many Resolutions, such as, 2.19 LGBTQ+ Inclusion, 2.27 Improving Outcomes for Children and Youth in Highly Mobile Populations, 4.16 Equitable and Impactful Family Engagement in Education, 18.40 Improving Access and Outcomes for Students with Disabilities, 18.44 Supporting a Diverse and Effective Education Workforce, to name a few. It appears that these agreements are not being properly adhered to. WSPTA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion website states that it prioritizes accessibility for all communities, yet these claims require action!
To uphold transparency and accountability in the decision-making process, we urge the publication of the full DEI report, of which the report summary was submitted on March 31, 2023. This will demonstrate a genuine commitment by WSPTA to diversity, equity, and inclusion by the leadership.
The spirit of the PTA is rooted in advocacy, support, and representation for all children. Let us unite to uphold these values, ensuring that our actions reflect the PTA’s commitment.
In community,
Seattle Special Education PTSA Board
