[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6280308,"mediaKeyId","2615731-58d3ba9780b4a8c7cc139ff2630ca853","parentId",2615731,"title","Tacoma Education Association says district bargaining proposal would cut special-education resources","audioSeconds",113,"startMs",1566000,"endMs",1679000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2615731-58d3ba9780b4a8c7cc139ff2630ca853&start=1566&end=1679","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2615731-58d3ba9780b4a8c7cc139ff2630ca853/thumbnail_1566000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6280308/Washington/Tacoma-Education-Association-says-district-bargaining-proposal-would-cut-special-education-resources","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280308-b78b5b4d6db950e926de7b1f11fd8d92/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452810&Signature=mDsHQKMORpqZE68SYP0z4Ri4GHRTO-n~RMudwuwo1gVL-xBA3-~RovwnQ-dv94rZP9D-2yglnO2QVbE7Cxo-Avj38N9sQRKVe7F7jE4BYcdS3luNFaoRnXJoAOh7EF41NreU7KdrouX6WaszeqO-Hi-dyYPX9XsRd6QsbGVdZQgXooFZQAnyiRU~KOg2dOTvttarUy146E1kvqGaAVSJqKxxLMNGHIqQLECrL4LvFvvdQruVhFR8kn20guI1ZV9plztTYwejtU4nBzT08PNOfSco6whwsF0Wlz52i-Gi9~yztQkb1pWYctkXV447sL7whykEyFBfHOLSdDfVtgYKmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tacoma School District, WA","date","2025-03-13T23:31:56Z","article","A representative for the Tacoma Education Association (TEA) told the board during public comment that district bargaining proposals presented at a recent session would reduce contractual protections and funding for special-education services.

The commenter said TEA had expected bargaining to address nonfinancial contract terms before financials but that the district opened bargaining with proposed financial changes. \"The proposals were shocking in the breadth of cuts to the CBA language,\" the speaker said, adding that those proposals would \"gut funding for special educators and increasing case load language.\"

The TEA representative said educators are seeking creative problem-solving at the table and urged the district to prioritize resources for special education and supports for students with the highest needs. \"Educators work hard to make sure students have what they need and we often use our own time and our own resources to make that happen,\" the speaker said. The commenter also noted that many teachers were engaged in late-night conferences for students and couldn't attend the meeting.

The board heard the public comment but did not take action related to bargaining at the meeting. The superintendent or cabinet staff may follow up as appropriate; no collective-bargaining motions or votes were recorded in the public session.

Ending: TEA told the board it would remain united in advocacy for special-education resources and urged continued negotiations; the board did not act on bargaining items during this meeting.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","March 13, 2025 TPS Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","A Tacoma Education Association representative told the board that district bargaining proposals included significant cuts to the collective bargaining agreement language affecting special education and case loads.","taxTitle","Tacoma School District, School Districts, Washington","taxId",14628,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6280312,"Tacoma Public Schools presents first reading of 2025 strategic-plan goals after community survey of 2,200 respondents",313,523000,836000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2615731-58d3ba9780b4a8c7cc139ff2630ca853&start=523&end=836","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2615731-58d3ba9780b4a8c7cc139ff2630ca853/thumbnail_523000.jpg","/articles/6280312/Washington/Tacoma-Public-Schools-presents-first-reading-of-2025-strategic-plan-goals-after-community-survey-of-2200-respondents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280312-eb3a75ba1eaf47a4d17d1b5f0e9340f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452810&Signature=c8XrlZF6c-IvTYgiP9lx~uE9KBdP76k~J3sHR6tlPtEgPfPKIzGVkFeiiimcr~7bjSqVIbgQ2aX1iG5yM48H-U68Uzadg5FIcBDFBOxIKAQBYudzCPxX5-eLEW1sL3xnkNyqgApDwmWZcZCKlw36OQ21-q0-Oj9LZM58zRR5OUlh7-qjQ9m60d0ZFNoTWYl24EYtvcojb9LBiL~J4J65xH4245yH4Fyn3~AUT~Ac-f7NYwucQl5s028zfuftvD0PvO0B0OgD8AvDp4e3bqGhJI5vfbRugnh-IaG2fDHgtV8S4eIq8e7TlPYdQLCDwXUl8A6dwrZ6Jj6C5KIFbkOUyA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff presented a first reading of Tacoma Public Schools' proposed strategic-plan goals for 2025 and described outreach that informed the draft goals, including a January survey that drew about 2,200 responses.

Chief communications officer Tanisha Jumper (identified in the meeting as the presenter) reviewed the outreach timeline: initial presentation in September, study sessions in October and February, a survey released January 24 with responses collected through February 9, and additional stakeholder outreach via newsletters, text messages and social media. \"We got a very good response. We got 2,200 responses, and as you can see, more than half of those were parents,\" Jumper said.

Jumper summarized draft goals grouped under academic achievement, partnership and participation, and safe and supported schools. The academic goal emphasizes readiness to learn, resourcing for teachers, equitable access to preschool and academic programs, and graduating students with post-high-school readiness. Partnership and participation focuses on family engagement and community partnerships; the safe-and-supported goal lists access to food, transportation and trusted adults, and student voice in decision-making.

The presentation indicated benchmarks will be developed in April, with a first reading of benchmarks scheduled for April 27 and potential board adoption of benchmarks on May 8. The board completed the first reading of the goals at this meeting; no adoption vote was taken. A board member praised the phrasing as inclusive and ambitious.

Ending: The district will return with benchmark language and a second reading; the board expects a potential adoption vote at a future meeting following the public-review and benchmark process.

","The board received a first reading of the district's proposed strategic-plan goals for 2025–(text) after staff described outreach and a survey that yielded about 2,200 responses; the board will revisit the goals for adoption in a future meeting.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6280316,"Multiple speakers urge Tacoma board to support WIAA amendments and policies to protect girls' sports",920,1693000,2613000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2615731-58d3ba9780b4a8c7cc139ff2630ca853&start=1693&end=2613","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2615731-58d3ba9780b4a8c7cc139ff2630ca853/thumbnail_1693000.jpg","/articles/6280316/Washington/Multiple-speakers-urge-Tacoma-board-to-support-WIAA-amendments-and-policies-to-protect-girls-sports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280316-6ddfc8395bc8328fb620e872359e7b35/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452810&Signature=IQ8k3MvmlCa7aXXNktPnvyGKBqm9JPn3z0HZWZ1t6Jq8Q3yx273iQuTOgGd5~iQRvhvthl-o-QpVQa5u4ERPH~jb8JpXuQDR45dPxd9VRZsjOrHXXTzgEvfQEBvUYs-YZff6JylQnMg7VCB1AQDOxtsx77DxBW7LHS5PPW0KuQUmhEMipTGyK6IdGnqroG0Vz80IWELbPtA8P~1U3GjzYpuXlHSi2O8BnMswmyN6WO9dCcnLLr~U3i5UeHcSAdK01tXM8hZ0Y4bY0r0S-X2O2HRIgp3x1uBeYqkJFfrrQ4dgSOC~laGjOBCXIjXWxyp0VELMGgCiEY4lD1JV-nS8ow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A string of public commenters asked the Tacoma Public Schools board to back policies that would restrict participation in girls' sports to biological females and to support Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) Amendments 7 and 8.

Jeremy Brown told the board his request was to \"join this important movement by supporting WIAA Amendments 7 and 8,\" which he said would \"reinforce the message that every young athlete...deserves a level playing field.\" Speaker Gretchen Stockman, who identified herself as a mother and community therapist, told the board allowing \"biological males to compete in girls sports is neither fair nor safe,\" adding that affirming girls' opportunities is consistent with protecting the rights of female athletes.

Other speakers echoed that call. Dawn Land (identified in public comment) cited comparative athletic performance data and said \"women have fought long and hard to have our own spaces and our own sports\" and asked the district to \"keep all males out of girls' sports.\" Several speakers linked their concerns to Title IX and to the financial implications they said could follow if the district's stance differs from state or federal expectations.

Speakers also addressed the board's role. Some told the board the district has authority over athletic directors and superintendents and urged the board to direct local administrators to confirm the district's vote or policy position before state-level deadlines or votes.

The board did not take any formal action on the requests during the meeting. Public-comment rules were read at the start of the session; the superintendent or designee is expected to follow up with commenters if action is needed. The transcript shows differing views were presented from multiple speakers during the public-comment period, but no board resolution, ordinance, or vote on athletic policy occurred at this meeting.

Ending: Commenters asked the board to adopt or confirm a district stance on girls' sports and to direct staff accordingly; the board did not act during the meeting and has not scheduled a formal vote in the record of this session.

","Several community members asked the board to adopt policies supporting WIAA Amendments 7 and 8 and to ensure girls' competitive opportunities and safety, citing Title IX and concerns about fairness.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6280321,"Parents and students tell Tacoma school board of sewer smell and water problems at Boerne Elementary",216,1081000,1297000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2615731-58d3ba9780b4a8c7cc139ff2630ca853&start=1081&end=1297","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2615731-58d3ba9780b4a8c7cc139ff2630ca853/thumbnail_1081000.jpg","/articles/6280321/Washington/Parents-and-students-tell-Tacoma-school-board-of-sewer-smell-and-water-problems-at-Boerne-Elementary","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280321-662eea3a10b15291931e86305fec0244/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452810&Signature=TY0EaxQcfl737HIFJ354DxvWufoxirxwNNYxtLCkOHT01IQCKfVTq4x3vapdj-q8ARYmfGpVeR9B~7cV2hEkwow1FKppwn-dAlkCULFF8NLMs9owbOZFqh0w1a3UVjeJk9gQI3mFGpK9aEh9FdE2tPNiSJspBU8MXJ3ADCOyst8zAgd4hzEkEu8PuN8ZJsWcpptTFJsrBLrM~ypjm7uWFW1Kwwdn78Kiwv1F9z9Me6ADM-yXSPncCVJHPrecGjL0FBm~CoYGs94w6nPFj~HzXr-GcEo3ZmT3szT77EtTqe5NNI1fX6MX9z0~u4YSH5EaNZ4or~KR-pLs1DWZ290mBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple students and parents raised health and safety concerns about Boerne Elementary during public comment, saying a strong sewer odor and questionable water quality sickened students and led some families to keep children home.

Emily Hasenleader, a parent, said a sewer smell was so strong on Monday that students were \"going home feeling ill\" and that the district should provide children a \"safe, healthy environment to learn.\" \"I had to come get my child from school Monday at, like, 11:30 in the morning...because she felt so ill, she could not stay there,\" Hasenleader said.

Students echoed the account. James Blaze, who identified himself as a Boerne Elementary student, described yellow-discolored water a teacher brought in and said students were restricted from classroom water fountains. \"Our teacher Miss Rowe...showed us it and it was all like yellow and filthy,\" he said, and added that some classmates left school feeling sick.

Student Lillian Hostenlader told the board an estimated eight or nine classmates left school that day and described headache, scratchy throat and stomach pain: \"When I did get sick, my head was hurting. My throat was burning and it was scratchy, and my stomach it did not feel good.\" Another parent, Jessica McGee, said her daughter missed two days of school after the smell and that other students who left that day remained out the following days.

Parents also raised separate safety concerns about a crosswalk near 70th and Sheridan, saying motorists sometimes fail to stop and that crossing-guard coverage varies. McGee urged the board to address that crosswalk because students are transported there by bus and walking families rely on crossing guards.

The board did not take immediate action on the comments during the meeting. Board public-comment procedure was read aloud earlier in the meeting (policy 14.30), and the superintendent or designee is expected to follow up with speakers who requested action, per the district's public-comment practice.

Ending: Parents and students asked the district for prompt investigations into the sewer odor, drinking water quality and crosswalk safety; the district said it will follow up with speakers after the meeting under established procedures.

","Several students and parents testified that a sewer odor and what they described as dirty water sickened children at Boerne Elementary, and parents asked the district to investigate building and crosswalk safety concerns.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6280327,"Tacoma Public Schools projects budget shortfall, warns of \"binding conditions\" without cuts or new revenue",661,2721000,3382000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2615731-58d3ba9780b4a8c7cc139ff2630ca853&start=2721&end=3382","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2615731-58d3ba9780b4a8c7cc139ff2630ca853/thumbnail_2721000.jpg","/articles/6280327/Washington/Tacoma-Public-Schools-projects-budget-shortfall-warns-of-binding-conditions-without-cuts-or-new-revenue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6280327-4c4950dda3f6d40b1512d46e0a1477fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452810&Signature=FUQ3FCdOoebrwbRsqtWp6pezfYDsVhDmYCZxt4HIKvG-oZbp2LqgyK6izlClJ0VDJTkFMpvQCk6xiEC0EoZv58eBEPwi~5brdERRgiDANOp23GZ2Nf236M~s9atE97LtIaesABJp-8kVsiOgLPyadAU6QmJTkSWm-tan8v5JHYC~GBh2zyFX1sTiCulcHrZjJYb2PsQp40gBnybNS2zYUJpmqLAUZjal2YCmVgslGSQ-nfZ~LeBhPVFRBRsCI~g6ZEj3RRHWmZWzeHWOWt5oPA4TjEXXltCn6U8JncCII0LzY70TjADOs33xWS2XXv0FDWfEqIqATdS~sG6s61LnRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tacoma Public Schools finance staff told the board on March 27 that current year revenue projections are lower than budgeted while expenditures are tracking higher, producing a potential year-end deficit that could trigger a state-imposed financial oversight process.

Finance presenter Ross said the district budgeted $577.8 million in revenue but now projects about $562.2 million, while expenditures are projected to be higher than budgeted. \"If things were to continue on the trend that we have at this moment in time, that's where we would end,\" Ross said, describing an extrapolated negative fund balance and saying the district is pursuing mitigating strategies to avoid that outcome.

The nut of the district's concern is a projected shortfall that, if realized, would place the district in what Ross described as \"binding conditions,\" a status in which the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) or the educational service district can appoint a financial oversight committee to recommend corrective plans. Ross said examples of possible corrective actions include renegotiating collective bargaining agreements, eliminating positions or contracts, and selling surplus properties to improve cash flow.

Ross walked the board through causes the finance office identified: fewer-than-expected grants and other revenues this year, lower-than-expected transportation revenue after a February true-up, rising costs for utilities and insurance, and declining federal reimbursement rates for school meals. \"We are not fully funded for the wages and... inflationary components,\" Ross said. He added that some revenues the district had anticipated did not materialize and that encumbrances (committed spending) are being reviewed more closely.

Board members and staff described steps already underway: pausing noncritical hiring, reducing discretionary spending, pulling back uncommitted encumbrances, examining contracts for reductions or eliminations, and identifying surplus properties. The district also has 15 task forces reviewing possible savings and efficiencies.

Ross said six Washington districts are already in binding conditions and an additional number are reportedly on watch lists. He stressed the district's goal remains to avoid state oversight and that the administration is pursuing a set of guiding principles while preparing a new forecast scheduled for around March 20 (board materials indicated a March update cadence).

The district sought public and legislative attention: staff urged board members and the community to contact legislators about the state funding outlook because a flat state budget would make avoiding cuts more difficult. The presentation noted uncertainty around timing of some state and federal funds, including the state-funded transitional kindergarten program, where funding timing may be irregular.

The board did not take a vote on any of the finance actions during the presentation. Ross said the administration will return with updated forecasts and proposed mitigation steps for the board to consider.

Ending: The district's next budget forecast and staff recommendations will be presented to the board in follow-up meetings; in the meantime administrators are pursuing immediate cost controls and asking community members to communicate with state legislators about funding.

","District finance staff told the school board that current projections show revenues falling short of expenditures and could trigger state oversight unless the district reduces spending or secures new funding.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Tacoma Education Association says district bargaining proposal would cut special-education resources

Tacoma Public Schools presents first reading of 2025 strategic-plan goals after community survey of 2,200 respondents

Multiple speakers urge Tacoma board to support WIAA amendments and policies to protect girls' sports

Parents and students tell Tacoma school board of sewer smell and water problems at Boerne Elementary

Tacoma Public Schools projects budget shortfall, warns of "binding conditions" without cuts or new revenue