PTA councils to host legislative forum on Dec. 10

Madison City and Huntsville PTA councils are collaborating to host a legislative forum before politicians return to Montgomery for the 2013 Alabama legislative session.

The forum will be held at Columbia High School at 300 Explorer Blvd. W. in Cummings Research Park on Dec. 10 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Residents can learn about agenda items concerning education for the upcoming session, Emily Cook said. Cook serves as legislative chairman for Madison City PTA Council.

Cooks expects conversations on the flexible calendar bill, vouchers, funding and teacher pay. “We’re aware, however, the legislative environment can be very dynamic. Last year, for example, few foresaw the flexible calendar bill,” she said.

“At our forum, we want to ask Alabama leaders about education topics,” both in and out of the spotlight, Cook said. The forum offers an optimum venue to communicate with and get information from North Alabama legislators.

Sen. Bill Holtzclaw will discuss Alabama Legislative Information System Online (ALISON). Cook believes all Alabamians should know about ALISON. “I find it a most useful tool. Using this online system, any citizen can follow the history and current action on any proposed piece of legislation” and immediately see legislators’ votes.

“ALISON is a little known gem,” Cook said. Visit http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/ACASLoginie.asp.

Sen. Arthur Orr and representatives Mike Ball and Terri Collins also will attend. The PTA councils have invited all North Alabama senators and representatives.

The PTAs encourage interested citizens to attend the free event. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. “The forum is not targeted at any specific audience. The PTA Councils are dedicated to promoting the welfare of children and youth and improving partnerships between the community, parents and the schools. As with everything we do, our goal for this forum is to achieve those objectives,” Cook said.

The non-profit PTA councils coordinate and assist each school’s PTA in the school systems. “The organizations are completely non-partisan, don’t endorse individual candidates and aren’t affiliated with any political party,” Cook said.

PTA organizers encourage individuals to register at online at http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=fsv9audab&oeidk=a07e6ozpm1if4595e7c.

For more information, visit huntsvillepta.org or http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/339885196093899/?fref=ts.