Bellevue PTSA Council Endorsement

On Monday night, the Bellevue PTSA Council had a meeting. We endorsed HB 1410/SB5444. The BEA was not happy about that.

To: ggstokes@msn.com; mmiller@washingtonea.org; KHeiman@washingtonea.org
Subject: Shame on You
Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2009 18:43:06 -0500
From: smillerred@aol.com

John,

I never thought I would see the day when you would so blatantly deceive a group of teachers and union members. Whether we agree or disagree on an issue, I don't expect you to lie to us about about a vote in the PTSA Council. Don't even attempt to hide behind the claim only Connie promised not to make a motion. What did Connie whisper to you once we all left the room?

You knew exactly why the teachers were at the meeting last night. Each time we tried to address the obvious flaws in the presentation and bill, you, Connie, or Janet tried to shut us down. Finally, Connie promised no motion would be made tonight in order to get us to stop debating with the presenter. If you disagreed with Connie's promise, you should have said so immediately. You didn't even have the character to make the motion once you reached that part of the agenda.

Is your goal to have informed debate on issues or to conduct hollow votes in a Council where less than 10 buildings were present to vote and teachers were shut out? Where is the T in the Bellevue PTSA? You complain no one gets involved in PTSA, but when PTSA members attend you exclude us from the debate and act in a deceitful manner regarding your voting procedures.

The only honorable thing to do is to ask BEA to make a presentation on this Bill at the March Council meeting and re-conduct the vote. Otherwise, you are sending a clear message to teachers that all you expect us to do is teach your kids and pay membership dues so the schools can earn membership certificates from PTSA. Oh, I forgot, you also find us useful when making Levy calls.

Frankly, why should we be belong to the Bellevue PTSA in this hostile and dismissive atmosphere?

Stephen