[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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],{"_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",6183786,"mediaKeyId","5093705-a0baf95da4c24f57e0e3fa11cee9d98a","parentId",5093705,"title","Board adopts revised harassment and nondiscrimination policies to include electronic conduct and updated protected classes","audioSeconds",142,"startMs",3722000,"endMs",3864000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5093705-a0baf95da4c24f57e0e3fa11cee9d98a&start=3722&end=3864","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5093705-a0baf95da4c24f57e0e3fa11cee9d98a/thumbnail_3722000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6183786/Washington/Board-adopts-revised-harassment-and-nondiscrimination-policies-to-include-electronic-conduct-and-updated-protected-classes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183786-f66585af7cac793a28e754d692db2f0c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771075827&Signature=BmSbNnUs1iDljLvzW4ZpvFblc2gBNW68cb8lY9YpUA0mFEiUPeVDfsMh2L9wE2Nq4EFxpwUfAwital5LuIpgBfEgdkyVd8JdBHne3hNqLWpG2PjXDuyYG91IXHOZ~6mYNeWynHNCBFdi6OQhNFSNjWsHNULLhE9vGw-DZnDC6deFgjwCJhzMRfdcTzuRLRk0orP2~7iwkljYBFyR4h9rWuL1QurhT0cGFwP6sFV5MLr2EhOyI7XKlhiMRWslwHusS0YFaZKO3WmoZ8WZ~7N4AVa6DMnPi5ll3SJ~awE9iUu70nSxv~liRZOQDCNJsjtV32PfpLF~RXVtNabQX1WIlw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tacoma School District, WA","date","2025-06-27T14:38:30Z","article","The Tacoma School District Board of Directors adopted revised policies on harassment, nondiscrimination and protections for students and staff following a second reading.

Tiffany Davis Brantley, the district civil rights coordinator, said the revisions were shaped by community feedback and work with the equity policy review team. She described several substantive updates: clarifying that electronic conduct may form the basis of discrimination complaints; adding purpose statements to connect policy language to district values; and explicitly referencing Washington’s updated protected classes to ensure compliance.

The board adopted the following policies at second reading: policy 3207 (prohibition of harassment, intimidation and bullying), policy 3210 (nondiscrimination of students), policy 3215 (harassment of students prohibited), and policy 5266 (harassment of district staff prohibited). The civil rights coordinator recommended adoption on behalf of the administration and each motion was moved, seconded and approved.

Why it matters: The changes clarify how the district will treat online or electronic conduct and align the policies with state‑level protected classes, which affects how complaints and investigations will be handled across schools and worksites.

Ending: The board approved the revised policies and will proceed with implementation and public communication as guided by the civil rights coordinator and equity review team.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 26, 2025 TPS Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The board adopted revised drafts of several civil‑rights and harassment policies after the district civil rights coordinator said community feedback and an equity review prompted changes including explicit reference to electronic conduct and Washington’s updated protected classes.","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},6183792,"Board ratifies 2025–28 collective bargaining agreements with teachers and support staff",43,4366000,4409000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5093705-a0baf95da4c24f57e0e3fa11cee9d98a&start=4366&end=4409","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5093705-a0baf95da4c24f57e0e3fa11cee9d98a/thumbnail_4366000.jpg","/articles/6183792/Washington/Board-ratifies-202528-collective-bargaining-agreements-with-teachers-and-support-staff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183792-d9f80a2e607ffd5e4d69de3ad50b7021/orig.mp4?Expires=1771075827&Signature=GysKMlpxYm9g76rzwpCrS9Tl5A1ELyAe0kf6U8VdatC-umNT2joEJszdz6Q-EbZ8LxdJCCvCeA0l1YVaIxwku5oOUPhSPm5LS0BSfYsmUDKfqzzI3C7D6kOTN2i37irhOs~LXpPZiYq~hiWzBm09sd1TgkUNkLN7YMrX3k8mIx-dVb0VHAZ-qcvH-MrnKEpIJuAo8MZpp8ztEt0sksfPP0PFkOZfAtbDtNrD8iN-ETBb9WRjpL3d96jzNWiXMf9R0c8KtisF2v2M6t4Vn6rRm2JEV3cr5oXEpl3OQT5vnN9L2xBUW2EP6e6~-HmodMzYndFdA9jz41VObxkRXmK7hg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tacoma School District Board of Directors ratified collective bargaining agreements covering multiple employee groups for the 2025–28 contract period.

The director of labor relations recommended ratification of agreements between the district and the Tacoma Education Association (TEA), the Tacoma Association of Education Office Professionals and the Tacoma Association of Public School Professional and Technical Employees. The board moved and seconded the ratifications and conducted a roll‑call vote; the agreements were approved.

Why it matters: The contracts set terms for wages, staffing and other working conditions that interact with the district’s budget and the summer staffing placement process. Board members thanked bargaining teams and staff for their work on the agreements.

Ending: The board approved the 2025–28 collective bargaining agreements and directors acknowledged the role of bargaining teams and members in reaching the settlements.","The Tacoma School District Board of Directors ratified multi‑year collective bargaining agreements covering the Tacoma Education Association and two other employee groups for 2025–28 following roll‑call approval at the 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},6183796,"Parents and community press Tacoma board for bell‑to‑bell cell‑phone ban as some schools pilot local plans",612,2556000,3168000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5093705-a0baf95da4c24f57e0e3fa11cee9d98a&start=2556&end=3168","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5093705-a0baf95da4c24f57e0e3fa11cee9d98a/thumbnail_2556000.jpg","/articles/6183796/Washington/Parents-and-community-press-Tacoma-board-for-belltobell-cellphone-ban-as-some-schools-pilot-local-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183796-cec3690e19c1b05e815474bad7e4e012/orig.mp4?Expires=1771075827&Signature=cQReIWLXBog9a3JJyo6z91YT-8RQuLn6nNBB1BTHsvNM9aobDON0NYnAhktDGFWpcaxCktetYQ3H1FXkvXtGey8vE~QeA1IDibdwuE~Y6fV5~2ZCCN3CjKw04HmG7pKFFmOz6D2oeYZvqtP5E2uy9f3Ci5UyAo1eMBF484m4jLkqwrhQYWZAp0lEKsGcZTX944PnHpJgjdpy~uxH3d1ofVr4amsiLSI23w6HbmjHpxCM50XJxY~kHcuEKyqs37ujhKM1e1bspUGmr0z0OPn3HAv73mbpZZpbq2eEPCnL9Npx4MUp7MbbCOf8fVvrZdl-AM6ubIZkEpDUayS4VnNm4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple parents, students and community members urged the Tacoma School District Board of Directors to adopt a districtwide bell‑to‑bell cell‑phone ban, citing student anxiety, attention problems and social harms.

Speakers at the public‑comment period described a grassroots push at Hunt Middle School and other campuses. Jarrett Austin, a parent who participated in a book club there, summarized arguments drawn from Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation and said, \"The harm greatly outweighs the benefit.\" Jennifer Arnold summarized a Hunt parent survey and told the board that about \"74%\" of responding families were \"strongly supportive\" of a bell‑to‑bell policy and that \"78% of families rarely or never contact their student at school.\" Glenn Johnson and other parents urged a districtwide approach and noted that Olympia legislators are also considering a policy.

Why it matters: Commenters emphasized academic focus, social skill development and young people’s mental‑health risks from constant phone access. Several speakers described school‑level successes and asked the board to provide district guidance rather than leaving the issue solely to individual principals.

In response, General Counsel Ben Roe cautioned the board on liability for confiscated devices, explaining the question depends on circumstances: if a staff member negligently secures a device and it is lost or taken, the district could be liable; absent negligence the district may not be liable. Superintendent Dr. Garcia said that secondary schools have been developing phone‑management plans and that \"all but three\" secondary schools had a plan this past year; the remaining schools are expected to have plans for the 2025–26 school year.

The board did not take a formal vote; the item remained in the public‑comment and discussion stage with directors indicating the topic is under consideration and that principals and school teams are already working on campus plans.

Ending: Parents and community members urged quick district action; the board and administration signaled further development of local plans and an openness to district‑level policy discussion in the coming months.","Multiple public commenters and a parent survey urged the Tacoma School District board to adopt a bell‑to‑bell no‑phone policy; the superintendent said most secondary schools already have local plans and legal counsel flagged potential liability when staff confiscate phones without proper care.",{"_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},6183801,"Tacoma School District projects smaller deficit but warns of continued cuts as McKinney‑Vento transportation funding is lost",738,618000,1356000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5093705-a0baf95da4c24f57e0e3fa11cee9d98a&start=618&end=1356","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5093705-a0baf95da4c24f57e0e3fa11cee9d98a/thumbnail_618000.jpg","/articles/6183801/Washington/Tacoma-School-District-projects-smaller-deficit-but-warns-of-continued-cuts-as-McKinneyVento-transportation-funding-is-lost","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6183801-cdbedf83d52ff1a99f4121bdf427ed13/orig.mp4?Expires=1771075827&Signature=HR2a8rdZOI0092NdLhdGDRf6YToh6K7PWBK0cVlE~RZpNYRErLnW4Dkgxp83CV9E~XccA6AAwcgiVaQzp79eRE5oS3cUe8Tkk50wwoI24dwDXWDgYT1YNDba1Fztz9Nu46Iz9DFuvGmIfyyXWMLEnbLkrYxaXcYRox9udhRIRNoBlhhDnEh59-j82HOls6bdRtW0nLyxlLmmifAB4iJosxj1MRkq2fQ2CMoJQ0O7trhxR-HzRTUBOK7gxy~rBq48JF~dYrfQRNQVGTCS5h89XY4xGBkF--55RD0eMVLj07x9tw1eh1kLzEKWx2vG6V4EaEV0U5T9ZAbutuSIesr~gQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Dr. Garcia told the Tacoma School District Board of Directors that the district’s projected fund deficit has narrowed but significant financial pressure remains and further reductions are likely.

The superintendent said the district’s projection for May moved a negative fund balance of about $3.5 million to \"1 and a half million dollars or $1,600,000,\" and officials are “feverishly working to balance our budget and making some great progress.” The board was told the district is monitoring daily uncertainties and cannot guarantee the recovery through the close of the fiscal year.

The nut graf: The district is preparing for a public budget hearing and planned adoption on July 10 while reconciling large, state-level changes that include the removal of a transportation proviso that previously allowed school districts to bill for McKinney‑Vento student transport. District leaders say that change creates an unfunded mandate that could cost Tacoma School District between $750,000 and $1 million in a given year and will force program and personnel adjustments.

Board and staff discussion laid out the main drivers of the budget strain: rising costs for utilities, supplies and salaries; limits in state funding; and statutory and accounting constraints (maintenance‑of‑effort, MSOC certification and collective bargaining obligations). Dr. Garcia said the district aligns its budget development to the state’s two‑year legislative cycle and that some statewide increases will not be available to the district unless local voters approve levy measures in future years.

Staffing consequences were presented as a connected but distinct item. Staffing lead Steven Diedrich summarized personnel impacts from recent reorganizations and reductions: \"We have a total of a 107 displacements. The good news is all 107 have now been placed into a teaching assignment for the 25‑26 school year.\" He said 431 staff members in total have been impacted by position eliminations; 222 of those displaced staff have been placed while 209 remained without assignments as of the report.

Diedrich described ongoing recall and placement procedures for certificated and classified employees, noting the district is recalling non‑renewed provisional staff into 22 current teaching vacancies based on student needs, certificate status and Washington state teaching seniority agreed in collective bargaining processes. He also reported 159 displaced education support professionals, of whom 75 had been placed into newly created roles such as MTSS ESP positions, playgroup ESP roles and ECAP family resource or instructional assistant roles.

Board members asked clarifying questions about McKinney‑Vento counts and impacts. Dr. Garcia said Tacoma previously served about \"2,400\" students who qualified for McKinney‑Vento services in the 2022–23 and 2023–24 school years and confirmed that the state’s definition and the district’s reporting are aligned to Washington’s categorical designation. The superintendent also noted that OSPI materials presented to the board showed the long‑term effects of reduced state investment since the McCleary litigation era.

The board was told that the district’s budget advisory committee — a biannual body of community volunteers — had 28 members who met five times and recommended preserving direct classroom supports, whole‑child services, family engagement and extended learning. Dr. Garcia pointed to a district budget website and materials for the full advisory report.

The board set a public budget hearing and an adoption vote for the July 10 meeting; Dr. Garcia said adoption on that date does not preclude further conversation or adjustments but is the next formal milestone. She emphasized the district must keep expenditures within available revenues and work to restore the fund balance.

Ending: The financial briefing closed with staff warnings that additional reductions and reassignments may be necessary as the district finalizes the 2025–26 budget; the district encouraged public participation at the July 10 budget hearing and offered a QR code and website resources for more detail and ongoing updates.","Superintendent Dr. Garcia told the Tacoma School District board the district’s projected deficit has narrowed but that the loss of a $750,000 transportation proviso for McKinney‑Vento students and continuing state funding shortfalls mean further reductions and a July 10 budget hearing and adoption are planned.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board adopts revised harassment and nondiscrimination policies to include electronic conduct and updated protected classes

Board ratifies 2025–28 collective bargaining agreements with teachers and support staff

Parents and community press Tacoma board for bell‑to‑bell cell‑phone ban as some schools pilot local plans

Tacoma School District projects smaller deficit but warns of continued cuts as McKinney‑Vento transportation funding is lost