Utah PTA Statement on Full Funding for Public Education
Utah PTA advocates for the education, health, and well-being of every child and believes a strong system of public education is essential to the success of our students, families, and communities.
PTA strongly supports full and equitable funding for public education and calls on state leaders to demonstrate good-faith collaboration with public education professionals to ensure the success and well-being of all children—both now and in the future.
Public schools serve more than 90% of the students in our state. Public education is the cornerstone of strong communities, a thriving workforce, and a healthy democracy. Funding decisions must prioritize the students and families who rely on public schools every day and ensure that educators have the resources necessary to provide safe, inclusive, and high-quality learning environments. Any cuts to arts programs, mental health services, or other critical student supports are unacceptable and undermine the success and well-being of Utah students.
PTA urges policymakers to fully fund public education before diverting limited public dollars to special-interest voucher programs that do not serve the majority of students and lack the same standards of accountability, transparency, and equity required of public schools. We implore state leaders to engage in open, timely, and transparent collaboration with educators and education stakeholders from the outset of policy development—not after proposals are finalized or decisions are effectively made.
Utah PTA urges policymakers to focus on responsible stewardship of public dollars, meaningful partnership with education leaders, and long-term investments that support student success. We remain committed to working collaboratively with lawmakers and education partners to protect and strengthen Utah’s public education system for current and future generations.
What can my PTA do?
- Follow Utah PTA as a PTA and share social media campaign during the session
- Share Campaign in local newsletters and at PTA meetings
- Make sure to recognize teachers, administrators and other educational partners and invite them to join the campaign
- Use the hashtag: #BetterLeg4PublicEd
What can I do?
- Change your social media picture to use the #BetterLeg4PublicEd Frame
- Challenge a friend to join the campaign
- Share the letter with your elected officials with a personal message
- Consider attending legislative committee meetings and making public comment
- Share information with neighbors and help them get involved
- Join Utah PTA’s LAC to learn more about currently proposed legislation. email:angelee@utahpta.org
- Share positive messages in your community and our great schools, teachers and students
- Use the hashtag and let’s blow up Social Media:
- #BetterLeg4PublicEd
Week 1 Action
Add the frame to your Social Media Profile Pic
- Use Link:
- Click on Use/Edit template
- Add a profile picture of yourself
- Move to the back behind the frame or set image as background
- Save/Download and then add to all of your social media platforms as profile pic
Post Graphic on Social Media
Write letter or even a text
to your senator and representative and ask them to fully fund public education and to bring more parent voices to the table
Sample letter below
Week 2 Action
Keeping Local and State School Board Nonpartisan
Ninety percent of Utah students attend public neighborhood schools — and the majority of those families are satisfied with the education and opportunities 
their schools provide. That matters. A lot.
School boards exist to serve students and communities — not political parties.
When we turn local school board races into partisan contests, we invite national political agendas into spaces that should stay focused on student achievement, school safety, and responsible use of taxpayer dollars. Our kids deserve leaders chosen for their commitment to education — not their party label.
HB256 offers no clear benefit to students.
Community members deserve meaningful choices at the ballot box and school board members who are accountable first and foremost to the families they serve.
Action Item: We encourage parents, educators, and community members to reach out to your legislators today:
✅ Support NON-PARTISAN elections for local and state school board positions
❌ Oppose HB 256
✅ Support HB 278
Let’s keep the focus where it belongs — on students, strong schools, and local communities.
Week 3 Action
100 Years of Advocacy and Parent Engagement - A Legacy
As we celebrate 129 years of National PTA and 100 years of Utah PTA, we honor the vision and courage of our founders.
They believed in a simple but powerful idea—to improve the lives and future of all children.
By working together and pushing beyond the barriers of their time, they created lasting change.
That same spirit of unity and action continues to guide us today.
Action:
- Join us in advocating for every child—contact your legislator, attend a local meeting, and make your voice heard.
- Sign up for advocacy alerts or LAC, follow the Utah PTA Bill Sheet, and help us continue the legacy of standing up for every child.
Week 4 Action
Support Public Schools Week
Our public schools are the heart of our communities and the backbone and heart of our future- our children.
What makes public schools strong? Great teaching, strong leadership, family and community partnerships, and support for educators!
Action:
- Let’s Flood Social Media with postive stories and pictures of the great things happening in our public schools. Remind your legislators that you love your public schools!
- Encourage PTA membership to grow our voice! Join Here
- Use Hashtags: #BetterLeg4PublicEd #UtahPTA #PublicSchoolProud #PSW26
More info can be found at: https://www.publicschoolproud.org