Advocacy
This page highlights the latest Advocacy activities. Check the PTA newsletter for updates. Email advocacy@connpta.org.
Upcoming EVENTS
2025-2026 Advocacy Chair Nomination and Strategic Planning Meeting, March 19, 2025, 8pm
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/osn-oedc-yzs
Or dial: (US) +1 475-355-7396 PIN: 603 921 924
Want to increase your impact at Conn next year? The Advocacy Committee needs you!
Please join us for this meeting to discuss which issues and activities Advocacy to prioritize for the 2025-2026 school year. ALL are welcome and encouraged to join this important conversation, even if you've never attended an Advocacy meeting before.
We will also solicit nominations for the role of Advocacy Committee Chair for 2025-2026. Self nominations are encouraged. Above all, the purpose of the PTA is to "make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children." Serving as Advocacy Chair is a great way to develop organizing and leadership skills.
Email advocacy@connpta.org with any questions about the Advocacy Committee or Chair role.
WCPSS School Board Meeting, Tuesday, March 18, 2025, 5:30pm, Cary
WCPSS Central Services building, Crossroads I, 5625 Dillard Dr., Cary.
Meeting agendas are published here.
Live streaming of meetings is available on WCPSS' YouTube channel. (Be sure to select 'live').
To speak at WCPSS BOE meetings, sign up here from 11:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on the day of the meeting. See our WCPSS School Board Commenting Guide.
Current Advocacy Opportunities
Funding
STOP HB 10 and Voucher Expansion! Sign and share the Public Schools First NC petition to tell our legislators to UPHOLD Governor Cooper’s Veto And STOP Wasting Tax Dollars on School Vouchers! Explore the rest of the Private School Voucher Toolkit.
End tax breaks for corporations - Sign the Every Child NC petition to demand that corporations in NC pay taxes to fund education.
Awareness
Get an ADVOCATE shirt - join the PTA street team! All proceeds from the ADVOCATE campaign will be used to provide grants to struggling units in Wake County.
Advocacy 101
WCPSS School Board Commenting Guide
NC School Funding 101 - Guide from Save our Schools NC
North Carolina state government 101 - PDF from EdNC for advocates
Every Child NC Advocacy Toolkit - English and Spanish guides on the Leandro Plan, public education policy, and public education elections. Guías en inglés y español sobre el Plan Leandro, política de educación pública y elecciones de educación pública.
Private School Voucher Toolkit - Comprehensive resources from Public Schools First NC
NC Child Advocacy Toolkit - Details the difference between advocacy and lobbying; includes tips for community-based, legislative, and digital advocacy; and shares the perspectives of child advocates and state legislators.
Understanding Legislative Advocacy for Children in North Carolina: A Guide to the General Assembly (NC Child)
WHO'S DOING THE WORK AT CONN?
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Every WCPSS school is required to carry out a school improvement plan (SIP). According to WCPSS, "the purpose of SIP is to improve achievement and outcomes for every student by working to eliminate the ability to predict achievement based on socioeconomic status, race, and ethnicity. Every WCPSS school is charged with collaboratively and continuously analyzing data and making decisions considering the unique needs of the learning community and the district's strategic plan."
In other words, this is a school-run program; it is not affiliated with PTA. However, PTA does help recruit parent representatives.
If you would like to get involved, please reach out to Principal Corey at jcorey@wcpss.net or Assistant Principal Michael Warholik@wcpss.net.
To view Conn's school improvement plan and learn more, use the credentials found in the right hand column on the Conn's SIP webpage.
Every year, Conn admin works with PTA to vote in one or two parent representatives to serve on Conn's SIP Team. For the 2024-2025 school year, Ms. Kellee Lewis and Ms. Lauren Lankford are Conn's parent representatives.
Lauren Lankford, SIP PArent REp
Lauren Lankford has a first grader at Conn and a four-year-old who can't wait to join her big brother there next year. Lauren is a former teacher who spent a year teaching intervention groups at Conn. She is excited about leading the PTA literacy committee and serving on SIP this year!
Kellee Lewis, SIP Parent REP
Kellee Lewis has a 5th grader, 3rd grader, and 1st grader at Conn ES. She's been active leader on the Conn PTA board, having served on almost every committee! She is committed to serving all children and advocating for public schools in Wake County!
TOSHIBA RICE, School Board District 4 Rep
Conn ES is in WCPSS District 4 which has been represented by Ms. Toshiba Rice since Feb. 2024. Ms. Rice is one of nine school board members currently elected to serve on the Wake County Board of Education, the local governing body of the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS).
The school board consists of nine representatives who collectively set policy for the school system implemented by WCPSS Superintendent Dr. Robert P. Taylor and administrative staff. Current policy debates include:
pending policy regarding school-issued devices such as Chromebooks and cell phones (or any communication device such as a smart watch) in the classroom
teacher pay, driver shortages, student transportation
As our WCPSS rep, Ms. Rice wants to hear from parents, students, and the community about your school experience (the good, the bad, and the ugly) in Wake County. Ways to engage:
Email (trice@wcpss.net)
Attend and speak at bimonthly WCPSS school board meetings (see details above)
Attend district 4 Board Advisory Council (BAC) meetings that consists of citizen members, school administrators and other staff to provide feedback and consultation by to Ms. Rice (see details above)