Over 2,000 Texans funneled through the state Capitol’s front gates Feb. 25 as the sound of the Vista Ridge High School drumline rang out through the air. Parents, students and teachers had travelled from across the state to advocate for the Texas PTA and its 2019 legislative agenda at the Texas PTA Rally Day.
“There’s a lot of energy, and it’s exciting to see so many districts here to represent,” parent Laura Rose said.
The day started with the Priorities Caucus at the First United Methodist Church, next door to the Capitol, where PTA members listened to policymakers in the Texas Legislature speak about the legislative priorities of the Texas PTA. Those who spoke were Texas House Speaker Dennis Bonnen, Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath, State Sen. José Rodríguez and State Rep. John Zerwas.
Although the Texas PTA has a broad agenda for the 2019 legislative session, those who spoke at the Priorities Caucus emphasized the importance of properly funding public education and prioritizing it in the Legislature.
PTA members proudly called out where they had travelled from to be in the capital of Texas to make their voices heard: Mansfield, El Paso, Humble, San Antonio, Wylie, and more. Some woke up as early as 3 a.m. to make the commute to Austin.
The Texas PTA Rally Day provides a “bigger voice (with) all of Texas PTA gathered together,” Texas parent Soha Cregger said.
“Fund the future” was the slogan of Rally Day, which attendees used as a hashtag for social media posts throughout the day.
“We’ve been waiting long enough. It’s time to fund the future,” Texas PTA President Sheri Doss said.
“There’s 5.5 million souls in Texas public schools,” said Morath. He said he thinks that through advocacy and volunteering, Texas PTA members can succeed alongside Texas lawmakers in achieving their mutual goal of “want(ing) the school system to work for all children.”
Speakers at the Priorities Caucus emphasized that Texas lawmakers have agreed that addressing school funding during the 2019 session is a priority.
The Public Education Committee is “making (school finance) a priority over anything else” that the House is doing, Zerwas said, “even above property tax reform.”
As the Priorities Caucus was underway, just a few blocks to the east at the Sheraton Hotel over 1,000 students attended the Student Caucus. There, students spoke with state representatives and Capitol staffers.
Rally Day is an opportunity to show students “what the process is to have a voice in your own state government and your own national government, especially on issues that affect their day-to-day lives,” said Austin teacher Ileana Gonzalez who brought her eighth-graders to the Capitol.
The 2019 Texas legislative session lasts until May 27. Lawmakers encouraged Texas PTA members to continue to be vocal and engaged throughout this period.
“The session does not end until it ends,” said Zerwas.
“These are schools that the public own. We’re the public. If not me, who? If not now, when?” Morath said, making a point that the way for the PTA to achieve their goals is going to be through active involvement and advocacy for their positions.
“Just remember, ” said Suzi Kennon, Texas PTA president-elect, “we are not just volunteers. We are the volunteers, who will shake up the Capitol with a reminder to our elected officials – Don’t mess with Texas PTA.”