[{"_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",6260732,"mediaKeyId","3127723-94349e432eb1e05e87ed9ccadbaf42f5","parentId",3127723,"title","Board approves contracts, bids and amendments in business‑agenda vote; key items listed","audioSeconds",479,"startMs",3765000,"endMs",4244000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3127723-94349e432eb1e05e87ed9ccadbaf42f5&start=3765&end=4244","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3127723-94349e432eb1e05e87ed9ccadbaf42f5/thumbnail_3765000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6260732/Washington/Board-approves-contracts-bids-and-amendments-in-businessagenda-vote-key-items-listed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260732-05ffc2b02bb6a0776e1fd13a316dbbcd/orig.mp4?Expires=1776602712&Signature=GVF8nEX6r5pP3b0ySBHjjZYKfv3dD6f2s6W5GRT8gKqjepJmvFKAQHYOZ~-XwM6XTlv5JJS4~F0XsnqrwFQQ89N8X8LxrYwKAfiDMVS~SnZsLbn9W2dEKUDuxnJy8oyZ8nK~EMcVs-wQeKt4QIKg7~F0uq86JRVIB7D49Pe0k4HJ9J52-O04ObIiIHpQ49Mi6YDAxtAgXoDFd8HxlgPdJREwPcloRCjQf9XqfJF~ixy~gJm2~qGQN9jPxcVyjZZDSC3O~qdpqYqJ83irEvVfCXGJSWuxODoExRLL8rF9Egvp7OCYaWrJYtnJOj2SbSUqjEKVLIj~NEc3bXZMq7gdSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tacoma School District, WA","date","2025-04-25T14:39:02Z","article","The Tacoma School District Board approved a slate of business‑agenda items including contracts, interlocal agreements, bid acceptances and amendments during the meeting. Most items passed by voice vote; one resolution passed by roll call 5‑0.

Votes at a glance (items presented under business matters):

- Contract TSD-25-038 with Overlake Medical Center for special‑education services for the 2024–25 school year — approved (agenda item 14.1).

- Interlocal agreement TSD-25-060 with Northporte School District to provide state assessments to eligible students residing in Tacoma boundaries — approved (14.2).

- Bid acceptance: Pullman SST Inc. for Stadium High School exterior restoration project — approved; agenda listed amount $1,025,299 excluding sales tax (14.3). Board discussion noted some exploratory work had already taken place and that Stadium High School is on the National Register of Historic Places.

- Bid acceptance: Construct Inc. for exterior upgrades at the School of the Arts (SOTA) Pacific building — approved; agenda listed amount $446,000 excluding sales tax (14.4).

- Bid acceptance: Puget Sound Construction for technology and cafeteria upgrades at Foss High School — approved; agenda listed amount $310,510 excluding sales tax (14.5). Staff said the technology work includes relocating the district technology department to Foss and separate cafeteria upgrades bundled for pricing.

- Contract amendment TSD-24-248, Amendment 1, with Washington Patriot Construction for multi‑facility theater lighting upgrades — approved (14.6). Agenda and staff remarks included a guaranteed maximum price figure in the contract amendment; the meeting record contained several figures while staff said the board would rely on the official agenda item if numbers differed.

- Approval to negotiate and award design‑build alternative method contract with ATS Automation for the Clean Building Phase 2 multi‑facilities project, not to exceed $8,000,000 (agenda item 14.7) — approved.

- Approval to negotiate and award progressive design‑build contract with B and B Builders for the Central Kitchen Project — approved (14.8). (See separate coverage for the board’s central‑kitchen discussion.)

Other business:

- Resolution 21‑58: Acceptance of contract completion and acceptance of contract with Neely Construction Company for Ninth and Broadway ground‑floor tenant improvements — adopted by roll call vote, President Schrodinger, Vice President McCollary, Director Leon, Director Baumbrite and Director Keating voted aye; resolution passed 5‑0 (agenda item 15.1).

Consent agenda: The consent agenda was approved with one abstention (item details on the consent agenda were not read aloud during the meeting record).","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","April 24, 2025 TPS Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At a single business meeting the board approved a series of contract awards, bid acceptances and amendments tied to capital projects and special‑education services; details and vote outcomes are listed.","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},6260736,"Employee urges board to delay termination recommendation, cites unresolved grievance",164,2634000,2798000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3127723-94349e432eb1e05e87ed9ccadbaf42f5&start=2634&end=2798","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3127723-94349e432eb1e05e87ed9ccadbaf42f5/thumbnail_2634000.jpg","/articles/6260736/Washington/Employee-urges-board-to-delay-termination-recommendation-cites-unresolved-grievance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260736-94e352af4f41c2321df39b350ab2edc4/orig.mp4?Expires=1776602712&Signature=SMEqndj1NvGmt1GRbNZf9j~b1LbfgiLBWLFg6NdiPJoTk7uuf-i3DsnfMwasFVQ0qK04cWMkRAf0iGpVtLKNIStGm95fBR-BB1OolbabxfE2KC0b2Un0adEMyx-1IEFrsHN11sl8nJ1pVCMtS23nXQ1WiBUgg45qhMuKsOiBUPX9VqbIx~vk6cG-a26pVeuoGlHWLXKIvVP247pxF3I5iE36mGJuJC-6ZYyNLUWDZWr7QPLHze3HvHSURCwvL3VB1ypwe-DnSs4wuZTUSJdluwA8g4uU9PIbyyn76q-~FZymYv6qs2u6eH0SIkqql3AYKFxiLIf0YB-EJH9tNhMJAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the public‑comment portion of the meeting an employee who identified herself as Tamar Brown Elk asked the board to delay consideration of a recommendation for her termination until pending grievances and an active complaint are resolved.

Brown said she had repeatedly requested help from human resources in writing and in person and that investigations tied to performance concerns remained open. She said collective‑bargaining provisions and the district’s employee agreements outlined procedures that had not been completed and that it would be “premature, but unjust” to proceed while grievances and a HIPAA‑related complaint remain unresolved.

Why it matters: Public comment raised procedural fairness concerns about an employment termination that the speaker said is tied to unresolved internal complaints and a grievance under the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Brown asked the board to consult legal counsel and to delay any vote on termination until the district resolves the outstanding personnel processes; she said she has filed a grievance and requested that the board ensure fairness and accountability. The board did not take action on personnel matters during the meeting; staff follow‑up was indicated in the board’s public‑comment instructions.

The speaker characterized her remarks as seeking fair treatment and asked directors to consider the broader implications for other employees she said may have been similarly treated. No board member responded to public comment during the meeting; the board’s public‑comment policy states the superintendent or designee will follow up if action is needed.","An employee addressing the board asked directors to delay a termination recommendation until pending investigations and grievances are resolved, saying procedural missteps affected her ability to succeed.",{"_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},6260741,"District reports roughly $30 million shortfall as state budget nears resolution",276,2860000,3136000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3127723-94349e432eb1e05e87ed9ccadbaf42f5&start=2860&end=3136","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3127723-94349e432eb1e05e87ed9ccadbaf42f5/thumbnail_2860000.jpg","/articles/6260741/Washington/District-reports-roughly-30-million-shortfall-as-state-budget-nears-resolution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260741-5354e975838a72b370725f7607089fb2/orig.mp4?Expires=1776602712&Signature=fERXJiHLdsOQp1r95lMz-KZXYOUDncnP9kY6a5Q669PeIpvkats~ELbS3kCnupXym5Z0sMOpRm6ouEtto0KURv~w0~Ci3mryuFHqXb7Uz9iZHqQuAJ-OqkE4nanI2PmkXjHYdCE3jz8PgtVl4PuUMWfUA-17Y9kUoj4iM5x5gBzDiNdk0R6FsMXE9Xgm2A6XKXlA0qhIOq2F6EtYBADW8~pXg77RHFNHIQ81QEZxAn8HAi~VV7YG333I70Jny7wc-Xe1379Dw~LxddwaW~Y8JgeylAbG4F2ohFZo73KoNDvUhV~8uv3DwUyyd9IxQWz4tm2C1l6prkep-P5fCEo8~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District finance staff reported the Tacoma School District is preparing for a projected $30 million shortfall as the state legislature works toward a budget resolution next week.

Ross, the district finance presenter, said at the meeting that the shortfall “is holding strong at the $30,000,000 mark” and that the district is tracking legislative outcomes, collective bargaining impacts and inflationary cost increases that could change that figure.

Why it matters: A multi‑million dollar gap affects staffing, departmental allocations and program proposals. The district said it is running multiple scenarios and communicating with bargaining units where required by collective bargaining agreements.

Ross said the district has undertaken a budgeting-by-priorities process and convened its Budget Advisory Committee for several meetings; staff said additional internal recommendations and communications with union groups will continue as legislative decisions become final. The presenter emphasized that other districts have made different decisions based on their own contracts and timelines, and that Tacoma will not finalize cost‑saving measures until the legislature’s numbers are known.

No board action was taken on specific budget reductions at this meeting; staff said further decisions depend on final legislative budget actions and on outcomes of ongoing bargaining.","District finance staff told the board a $30 million shortfall remains while the state legislature finalizes its budget; staff said bargaining and inflation add uncertainty.",{"_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},6260746,"Board approves contract negotiations for central kitchen amid federal funding concerns",594,3691000,4285000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3127723-94349e432eb1e05e87ed9ccadbaf42f5&start=3691&end=4285","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3127723-94349e432eb1e05e87ed9ccadbaf42f5/thumbnail_3691000.jpg","/articles/6260746/Washington/Board-approves-contract-negotiations-for-central-kitchen-amid-federal-funding-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260746-c2eb7b515501d1b61bfea44de547279e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776602712&Signature=FsZoBTQ0tiyH5eB9nOWXl4A~tZlUbZgx6e0B5S8w9iYArVQ0kp5IVvqSgn54YyC8q2ftCniEYtGvebyZZiHthVLfhplcwqShGwRpkvlHrSZLVxAx7EAxvMDNjPAhbBXWYLX1jC6WkaYCKYoAFjZS6qRlSw3KqslWpBSUNFvHkQT3bJ1xlJ5c8E8IazImA7QFAQVaehKcs7yEyv3i1rdsJlPkww52ujOY8a-TOtNurjW3hw5M7aVN6TWRTSAJt0P~RyJ0xJX4-sIgRCzE2orIG~VUJVdwtIMVro3srq~STY-0Q35L5D4qdj-UWWib3iY2Zpi-odpsjwi08besg0hegg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tacoma School District Board approved moving forward to negotiate and award a progressive design‑build contract for a district central kitchen, a project staff says will reduce reliance on prepackaged meals and improve nutrition.

The board approved the recommendation to negotiate with B and B Builders for the Central Kitchen Project; the agenda listed the funding source as capital bond proceeds approved by voters on Feb. 13, 2024. The vote passed unanimously.

Why it matters: The district serves meals to a large share of students and the central kitchen would allow more scratch cooking and lower-processed ingredients, officials said. Board members asked how potential federal and state funding changes could affect the project and ongoing meal service.

District staff said the central kitchen is intended to reduce use of prepackaged foods and provide fresher meals across schools. “We are legally required to feed kids,” Superintendent Garcia said during the discussion, explaining that nutrition programs are governed by federal and state rules and that the district participates in community eligibility provisions that expand free meal access.

Board members asked whether delaying the project would save money if federal nutrition funding is reduced; staff replied that construction costs are rising and delaying could increase total cost. Staff said the district had evaluated meal participation and financial scenarios and concluded that the central kitchen is a high priority among capital‑bond projects.

The formal motion (agenda item 14.8) to authorize negotiation and award of a progressive design‑build contract with B and B Builders passed by voice vote with no opposition. The board previously approved related capital projects and a voter‑approved bond that staff said would fund the work.

Construction timing and the final guaranteed maximum price will be determined in negotiations and later brought back to the board for approval as required.","The board authorized negotiation and award of a progressive design‑build contract for a district central kitchen, while directors and staff discussed federal funding uncertainty and the programmatic goal of improving meal quality.",{"_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},6260751,"Tacoma School District aims to keep Whittier students on campus during rebuild",503,870000,1373000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3127723-94349e432eb1e05e87ed9ccadbaf42f5&start=870&end=1373","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3127723-94349e432eb1e05e87ed9ccadbaf42f5/thumbnail_870000.jpg","/articles/6260751/Washington/Tacoma-School-District-aims-to-keep-Whittier-students-on-campus-during-rebuild","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260751-4306f05d6e29d0d46095a73ebc5dc80d/orig.mp4?Expires=1776602712&Signature=Ww1MDlRKBgsJqCytrWtAhbxfmK-PH5HNAGJl-umOu9XsU~R4Vwm52xXMn7tEKT4o~i8zGzF8X~NYRLxlz~AkUDYc6iVAK7U7-ztGa4CPut23uABACQY1XQRO7Q89Yt8-vex~UYEPg7N55EJ2nnC2pRDZaIHHnx1N1jtxAmWtPpdikABEggHUE53a5X0RBIpj1qv5fu4I5qG7h8mqfjjKE~ONdcL52rOyogEQR6wUtFWQFiV2-H9OXT6~FaCuua4cER7XpR0gnrB9f7VsKKdebhBU256J1JUk8Vtkry-El6MB-4qVBiO5QDo9YS~NEwTDEMeio9QNOW21reNAvSyYdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tacoma School District presented plans to rebuild Whittier Elementary School while keeping students on-site, saying the district will seek variances and partner with the City of Fircrest to use adjacent park areas for construction staging.

District staff described community meetings and said the selected design-build team, Cornerstone, proposes siting a new two‑story building on the school's existing play field so the current building can remain occupied during construction. The presentation said the proposal departs from some Fircrest zoning standards — in particular building height limits — but that Fircrest city officials and the city manager provided written support on April 11.

Why it matters: Keeping students on campus reduces displacement of families and avoids a temporary relocation to off‑site swing space. The district said cost and safety trade‑offs will drive the ultimate decision and that each school site is evaluated on its own physical constraints.

Superintendent Garcia and district staff said the plan depends on negotiated use of Whittier Park for material laydown and temporary trailers. “Without that cooperation, there’s no way that we could actually do this with students on-site,” district staff member Morris said during the presentation. The district described a tight site and said the proposal likely requires code exceptions; staff reported they expect to present to Fircrest’s planning commission for formal review of those exceptions.

The district also said it will form a Design Advisory Committee (DAC) for Whittier that will include office staff, administrators and community members and will be advised by a student committee on interior decisions. The district noted the Whittier DAC will include representatives who are not always part of previous DACs so neighborhood residents and planning-commission designees can offer earlier input.

Board members thanked staff for community outreach and emphasized that student safety is the controlling factor. One director noted the district has secured variances for past projects, and staff said that site‑by‑site determinations — not a blanket policy — will determine whether other schools can remain occupied during rebuilding.

Next steps listed by staff included forming the Whittier DAC, completing planning‑commission review in Fircrest, and advancing design and construction documents if variances and interlocal agreements are approved.

The district did not schedule a vote on the Whittier plan at this meeting; staff said the next formal milestones are planning‑commission review and subsequent design approvals.","District staff and board discussed plans to rebuild Whittier Elementary while keeping students on-site, citing Fircrest support, variances to local codes, and formation of a design advisory committee.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves contracts, bids and amendments in business‑agenda vote; key items listed

Employee urges board to delay termination recommendation, cites unresolved grievance

District reports roughly $30 million shortfall as state budget nears resolution

Board approves contract negotiations for central kitchen amid federal funding concerns

Tacoma School District aims to keep Whittier students on campus during rebuild