In re-reading the text of Initiative 1240, the ballot measure to allow charter schools, it occurred to me that, if it passes, the state PTA might be prohibited from participating in the state charter school authorizing process.  Here’s why. 

Initiative 1240 would create a Washington Charter School Commission.  The state commission is one of two ways a charter school could be approved.  In addition, local districts would be allowed to open their own charter schools.  In all, up to eight charter schools a year would be allowed, up to a maximum of 40 over five years.  There are currently 2,345 public schools in Washington.

The state commission would have nine members, three each appointed by the Governor, the president of the Senate and the Speaker of the House.  The Initiative provides that: 

 “All members [of the state commission] shall have demonstrated an understanding of and commitment to charter schooling as a strategy for strengthening public education.”

By overturning the recommendation of PTA convention delegates and coming out against charter schools, the PTA board would not meet the standard of “demonstrating an understanding of and commitment to charter schooling.”  Since it would be officially against the charter school initiative as an education reform strategy, the PTA might be making itself ineligible for appointment to the state commission. 

Ironically, one of the state’s most prominent education groups may find itself sidelined in the implementation of the most significant public education reform in decades.