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Tuesday, November 29, 2011

The Washington State PTA, the League of Education Voters and Stand for Children : The unholy trinity | Seattle Education

The Washington State PTA, the League of Education Voters and Stand for Children : The unholy trinity | Seattle Education:

The Washington State PTA, the League of Education Voters and Stand for Children : The unholy trinity

There will be PTA members saying that they represent our children while visiting with our legislators and speaking in committee hearings in Olympia during the legislative session that started on Monday. They will repeat the phrase Every Child One Voice while pushing the charter school agenda. They will say that a resolution was passed by the PTA Legislative Assembly in support of charter schools and they will stand in support alongside the League of Education Voters (LEV) and Stand for Children (SFC) on this issue.

What I have found out is that the representatives of LEV, SFC and the PTA are all one in the same.

Ramona Hattendorf who was President of the PTA Seattle Council is also referred to as an “LEV Key Activist” on a document that she signed along with other LEV “Key Activist” in support of the RTTT proposal, Bill 6696, during the last legislative session. Ms. Hattendorf is now a paid lobbyist for the Washington State PTA. Her title is Government Relations Coordinator and she has her office in Olympia where she is in daily contact with our


Teacher Arrested Protesting for Education Funding in Olympia

Jesse Hagopian, teacher in the Seattle Public School System and Founding Member of Seattle Equality Educators (SEE) was arrested on Monday for standing up for his students.

Jesse Hagopian standing at the rail with other Seattle Public School teachers.

After the banner was unfurled, Jesse Hagopian called out “mic check!” and the teachers responded. Then the chant began:

It is immoral
It is illegal
These cuts will hurt families
These cuts will hurt kids
These cuts will hurt educators
King county Superior Court judge
Ruled that these cuts are constitutionally illegal
The Constitution of Washington state reads it is the paramount duty to fully
Fund education
We therefore issue a citizens arrest of this Washington State Legislature
We call for taxing the rich
We call to fund the schools

Police officers rushed in and