Quick Links

  

FAQ

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Alcott PTSA Members,

 

We are reaching out at a critical moment for our school community.

 

Over the course of this year, a small group of former PTSA board members, who have since resigned, have continued to take actions that are creating disruption and making it increasingly difficult for the PTSA to function effectively. While differing perspectives are a natural part of any community, the situation has now reached a point where it is directly impacting our ability to serve our students, families, and school.

 

This is no longer something the PTSA can quietly shield from the broader school community - it is now impacting the organization so deeply that the stability of the programs and resources our community depends on is at risk.

 

Without the active support and engagement of our broader membership, this small group can continue to disrupt progress and interfere with the important work we do together. We cannot allow that to happen.

 

Now more than ever, we need our community to stand up and protect what matters most for our children’s education. Your voice, your participation, and your support matter.

 

Together, we can ensure that our PTSA remains focused on what truly matters - supporting our students, uplifting our teachers, and strengthening our school community.

 

Why is the PTSA Sending You This Letter?

 

On February 27, 2026, the PTSA held our Winter General Membership Meeting (Winter GMM) online during which members voted on and decisively approved four important items:   

  • Adoption of our Standing Rules
  • Election of new officers
  • Approval of the revised budget
  • Election of the Nominating Committee

This budget approval was a meaningful moment for our children, teachers, staff, and school community. The approved budget directly funds critical programs and support, helping to bridge the gap following funding cuts from the Lake Washington School District. These include:

  • Emergency preparedness supplies
  • Sensory room and special needs resources
  • Kindergarten support (field trip bussing, art supplies)
  • 5th Grade camp
  • School-wide assemblies (e.g., anti-bullying)
  • Support for low-income families and counseling services
  • Social-emotional learning
  • Dance education
  • STEAM enrichment
  • Ongoing PTSA administrative, school and teacher support

These programs are now possible because members like you showed up and voted. 

 

For more information about the PTSA budget, mid-year budget review, revision process, and nonprofit considerations, click HERE.

 

CLICK HERE TO LEARN ABOUT THE PTSA BUDGET

On March 10, 2026, 11 days after the GMM, the PTSA received a formal letter from the spouse of a former PTSA board member, demanding a Special Member Meeting to discuss invalidating the budget that was approved by the majority of members at the 2/27/26 Winter GMM. Both individuals voted against the budget at the 2/27/26 Winter GMM.

 

Under Washington State law, only 5% of the membership is required to demand such a meeting. On March 10, the PTSA had 311 members, meaning just 16 members out of 311 are required to call a Special Member Meeting.

 

To meet this 5% threshold, they circulated a petition within the school community to gather the required signatures. The petition contained misleading and false information that contributed to confusion and frustration within the school community. The petition was signed by all members who voted against the budget at the 2/27/26 Winter GMM - many of these members were on the PTSA board at the beginning of this year, but resigned in December.  All of these former members refused to sign the Alcott PTSA Code of Conduct when they were on the PTSA board, and attempted to violate the Washington State PTA Uniform Bylaws.

 

Even more concerning, if a Special Member Meeting is held:

  • Only 10 members are required to establish quorum
  • Only a simple majority of 6 out of 10 members could overturn the entire budget that was approved by the membership

This means that just 6 members out of 311 could invalidate the budget that was voted and approved by the majority of members at the 2/27/26 Winter GMM.

 

 What Happens If the Budget Is Invalidated?

 

If the budget is invalidated, the PTSA will not be able to operate.

 

That means all ongoing programs will stop immediately, and upcoming programs will be cancelled, including:

  • Emergency preparedness and safety supplies
  • Special education and sensory resources
  • 5th grade camp (6/10/26)
  • Low income student support
  • Field trip bussing and enrichment programs for kindergarten
  • Upcoming hip-hop dance education for the entire school
  • Administrative support
  • Kindness & antibullying assemblies (5/26)
  • Staff Appreciation Week (5/4/26 - 5/8/26)
  • STEM and art education
  • Classroom teachers materials funding
  • After-school enrichment programs
  • International culture event (5/14/26)
  • Music and PE support
  • Student clubs (math, science, student leadership, green team, safety patrol)
  • 5th grade promotion (6/26)
  • End-of-year party (6/26)
  • Yearbook support for low-income students
  • Library funding from the book fair
  • Playground and school-wide support
  • Curriculum enrichment grant
  • And many more

If we let them invalidate our budget, our PTSA will be unable to serve our students, teachers, and school.

 

An Urgent Request from the PTSA

 

We are asking for your help because this moment matters for our children.

 

A very small group of individuals is attempting to undo the will of the majority and disrupt the programs that support our children.  They are attempting to do this by calling a Special Membership Meeting to invalidate the budget.  Regardless of differing opinions, no small group should be able to override the voices of hundreds of members.

 

This is not just about a budget.

 

This is about protecting:

  • Our students’ education
  • Our teachers’ support
  • Our school community
  • Your right to have your vote count

 

What the PTSA is Asking You to Do

 

The PTSA is calling our own Special Member Meeting to protect and ratify the budget that was approved on February 27 at the Winter GMM.

 

We are also asking members to vote on important updates to strengthen transparency and protect the organization from repeated assault from the same small fraction of the membership.

 

At this Special Member Meeting, members will discuss the following items:

  • Ratifying the revised budget approved at the Winter GMM (2/27/26)
  • Amending the Standing Rules to ensure budgets are shared with members in advance
  • Amending Standing Rules to ensure meeting minutes are shared in advance
  • Providing a mechanism to protect the PTSA from ongoing attacks that undermine its mission

After the meeting is closed, the members will have a chance to vote on these items.

 

Members do NOT have to attend the meeting to vote.

 

Key Dates and Voting Method

 

Here is how you can vote:

  • Special Member Meeting called by the PTSA will be held on April 20, 2026 at 12:30 PM

  • Voting window will open: April 22 at 8:00 AM 
    Voting window will close: April 26 at 11:59 PM

  • Voting Method: Electronic transmission
    All members will receive an email with a voting link by April 22 at 8:00AM.
    Members do NOT need to attend the 4/20/26 meeting to vote 
     

Please see below for the official notification letter from the Alcott PTSA calling a Special Member Meeting.

Your Voice Is Critical

 

Please vote to protect our budget. 

 

This is an important moment for our children's education.

 

Your participation ensures that:

  • The programs our students rely on continue
  • The will of the majority is upheld
  • Our PTSA remains functional and focused on supporting our school

If you do not vote, a very small group of individuals could make decisions that override the will of the majority of Alcott PTSA members.

 

✅ Vote yes to stand up and protect our children's education.
✅ Vote yes to protect our budget.
✅ Vote yes to support our kids, our teachers, and our school.

✅ Vote yes to send a clear message that a small fraction of members should not suppress the will of the majority of members.

  

Thank you for standing up for our children, our teachers, and our school community.

 

Sincerely,

 

Your PTSA

 

Here is the announcement calling for a Special Member Meeting by the PTSA, to protect our budget:

 

Notice of Special Member Meeting – April 20, 2026
- Called by the PTSA -

 

Dear PTSA Members,

 

This notice is to inform you that a Special Membership Meeting has been called by the PTSA.

 

Date: April 20, 2026
Time: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Location: Online (meeting link will be shared upon request to website@alcottptsa.org)

 

The purpose of this meeting is to vote on the following items:

  1. Ratification of the 2/27/26 Member Approved Budget
    To ratify the budget that was presented and decisively approved by the membership at the February 27, 2026 Winter General Membership Meeting.

  2. Standing Rules Amendment – Budget Distribution to Membership
    To amend the standing rules to require that the proposed budget be emailed to members 5–10 days prior to any membership meeting at which the budget will be considered.

  3. Standing Rules Amendment – Minutes Distribution of Membership
    To amend the standing rules to require that previous meeting minutes be emailed to members 5–10 days prior to any membership meeting.

  4. Standing Rules Amendment – Membership Removal Procedure
    To amend the standing rules to allow membership removal by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors if a member’s actions are determined to damage the value and goodwill associated with the Alcott PTSA, or violates the purposes, policies, or Standing Rules of the Alcott PTSA. All procedures will adhere to the WSPTA Uniform Bylaws.  Termination of membership will be reported to the WSPTA Board of Directors within five (5) business days.

Voting on the above items will take place by electronic transmission.

  • Voting Opens: April 22, 2026 at 8:00 AM
  • Voting Closes: April 26, 2026 at 11:59 PM
  • A secure voting link will be emailed to all members prior to the opening of the voting period.
  • Members do NOT have to attend the meeting on April 20, 2026 to vote.

The Tellers Committee will oversee the counting of all votes.


Vote results will be announced within five (5) business days following the close of voting.

Thank you for your continued support and engagement in our PTSA.

 

Sincerely,


PTSA Board

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the announcement calling for a Special Member Meeting by 5%, in an effort to invalidate the budget that was approved by the majority of our members at the 2/27/26 Winter General Membership Meeting: 

 

Notice of Special Member Meeting – June 3, 2026
- Can Be Called by 5% of Members -

 

Dear PTSA Members,

 

This notice is to inform you that a Special Membership Meeting has been called by at least 5% of members.

 

Date: June 3, 2026
Time: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Location: Online (meeting link will be shared upon request to website@alcottptsa.org)

 

The purpose of this meeting is the following items:

  1. Addressing the validity of the budget vote at the membership meeting that took place virtually at 12:30pm on February 27, 2026.

  2. Introducing a motion to amend the Standing Rules to specify that proposed budget votes shall be announced in advance, and proposed budgets shall be shared with general members in advance of the meeting when a vote is expected to take place.

 NOTE: Voting for purpose #2 will take place at the Special Member Meeting.