Advocacy
Your voice can make a difference. Advocacy is at the heart of our PTSA’s work, and every voice matters. Explore the resources below to get informed, get involved, and make your voice heard. Together, we can advocate for positive change and help create a brighter future for every student.
Riverview PTSA Council welcomes your questions, comments, and ideas around Advocacy issues. Email riverviewptsacouncil@gmail.com to start the conversation.
Advocate With PTA
For more than 100 years, PTA has advocated for the health, safety, welfare, and education of all children and youth and provided support to members so that they can speak with a powerful voice and be a relevant resource for parents. From the beginning, PTA has advocated for a strong public school system to ensure equity and opportunity for all children. PTA has never lost sight of this goal and continues to flourish as an advocacy group operating at the national, state, and local levels - often within a school community, and in partnership with educators, legislators, and policy makers. – Excerpt from the WSPTA Advocacy Handbook
Local Level
- Riverview PTSA Council Advocacy Chair: OPEN
State Level
- Washington State PTA Advocacy Director: Megan Larkin
- Washington State PTA Advocacy Information
- Advocacy & Legislative Resources: Resources to support members in advocacy their efforts, including end of session reports.
- Advocacy in Action: WSPTA’s letters to policymakers and a list of organizations, coalitions, committees, and workgroups where WSPTA is represented.
- Federal Legislation: Advocacy on PTA positions nationally.
- Legislative Assembly: October 16-17, 2026
- Focus on Advocacy Program / Focus Day: TBD
- WSPTA leaders and members meet with state legislators to advance PTA priorities.
- Subscribe to: WSPTA Action Network Group
- Get alerts and informational broadcasts during the Washington State legislative session. These alerts are quick and simple ways to communicate with your legislators on topics they are actively working on.
National Level
- National PTA Vice President of Advocacy,
2026-2029: Rachel Burke (IN) - National PTA Advocacy Information
- Legislative Conference: March 1-3, 2027
PTA Legislative Priorities
WA State PTA’s advocacy work is directed by member-approved resolutions, principles, and legislative platform.
The Top 5 Legislative Priorities for 2025-26 are:
- Closing the Funding Gaps
- Addressing the Student Mental Health Crisis
- Addressing Funding, Inclusion, and Supports in Special Education
- Preventing and Reducing Gun Violence and Suicide
- Expanding School Construction Funding Options
2025-26 Also Supported Issues:
- Increasing Education Equity by Closing the Digital Divide
- Mitigating the Adverse Impacts of Climate Change
- Restoring Funding for Education and Wrap Around Supports
Learn more about each of these priorities: Priorities Handout
Connect With & Get To Know Your Government Representatives
The Representatives below serve the Riverview School District on the Local, State, & Federal Level.
Note: Information is sourced from individuals’ or organizations' websites and is accurate as of August 2026.
Local Leadership:
- City of Carnation
- City of Duvall
- Riverview School District School Board
- Community Site: Calendar, Meetings, etc.
- Meet the Board of Directors
- Email the School Board of Directors
State Leadership:
Governor Bob Ferguson
Washington State Legislature: Senate and House of Representatives.
The Riverview School District is a split legislative district. Find your district & elected leaders: District Finder.
DISTRICT 12 (mostly Carnation)
- Senator Keith Goehner
- Committees: Housing, Transportation, & Local Government
- Email: Keith Goehner
- Website: Keith Goehner
- Address: 331A Irv Newhouse Building PO Box 40412 Olympia, WA 98504
- Phone: (360) 786-7622
- Representative Brian Burnett
- Committees: Early Learning & Human Services, Appropriations, Community Safety, Civil Rights & Judiciary
- Email: Brian Burnett
- Website: Brian Burnett
- Address: 410 John L. O'Brien Building P.O. Box 40600 Olympia, WA 98504
- Phone: (360) 786-7954
- Representative Mike Steele
- Committees: Capital Budget, Consumer Protection & Business, Education
- Email: Mike Steele
- Website: Mike Steele
- Address: 425A Legislative Building PO Box 40600 Olympia, WA 98504
- Phone: (360) 786-7832
DISTRICT 45 (mostly Duvall)
- Senator Manka Dhingra
- Committees: Law & Justice, Ways & Means, Environment, Energy, & Technology
- Email: Manka Dhingra
- Website: Manka Dhingra
- Address: 239 John A. Cherberg Building PO Box 40445 Olympia, WA 98504
- Phone: (360) 786-7672
- Representative Roger Goodman
- Committees: Early Learning & Human Services, Community Safety, Civil Rights & Judiciary
- Email: Roger Goodman
- Website: Roger Goodman
- Address: 436B Legislative Building PO Box 40600 Olympia, WA 98504
- Phone: (360) 786-7878
- Representative Larry Springer
- Committees: Appropriations, Agriculture & Natural Resources, Finance, Rules
- Email: Larry Springer
- Website: Larry Springer
- Address: 132E Legislative Building PO Box 40600 Olympia, WA 98504
- Phone: (360) 786-7822
State Education Agencies:
- Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction: Website
- Superintendent Chris Reykdal
- Washington State Board of Education: Website
Federal Leadership (8th District):
Each state elects two senators to the United States Senate for staggered 6-year terms. Senators represent the entire state. Washington’s senators are:
- US Senator Maria Cantwell
Website: https://www.cantwell.senate.gov
Next Election in 2030
- US Senator Patty Murray
Website: https://www.murray.senate.gov
Next Election in 2028
The United States is divided into 435 congressional districts, each with a population of about 710,000 individuals. Each district elects a representative to the U.S. House of Representatives for a two-year term. Representatives are also called congressmen / congresswomen.
- US Congresswoman Kim Schrier
Website: https://schrier.house.gov
Next Election in 2026
Understanding the Legislative Process in Olympia:
How a Bill Becomes Law
The King County Elections: Find election information and results, register to vote, and more.
2026-2027 Council Board
President: Sara Balsley
Vice President: OPEN
Secretary: Sabrina Foust
Treasurer: Mari Davenport
Membership Chair: Natalie Doll
Advocacy: OPEN
Special Education: Tamar Hardy
Social Media Lead: Tamar Hardy
Reflections Lead: OPEN
Hospitality: Sabrina Foust
Emergency Prep Lead: Shannon Tozer
FACE Lead: Lori Rush
Summer Resource Fair Lead: Lori Rush
"Like" us on Facebook!
For the latest happenings with Council, follow our Facebook page, linked below:
General Info
Awards!
At the WSPTA Convention in May, Riverview PTSA Council was awarded with the Silver Advocacy Award of Excellence!
At the June 23, 2020 Riverview School Board Meeting, Council was presented with the 2020 Community Service Award. This award recognizes partner groups who make a significant difference for students, and we are proud to support our Riverview students, staff and families, with a special focus on community mental health in the 2019-2020 year.
On May 17, 2019, Riverview Superintendent Dr. Anthony Smith and the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA Metro Region 110) honored Riverview PTSA Council with a Community Leadership Award. We are proud to partner with Riverview School District in our goal of the betterment of families for the benefit of children.