Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Tacoma School District warns of $30 million shortfall; staff displacements prompt public outcry
Summary
Superintendent and finance staff outlined a projected $30 million operating deficit for 2025–26, citing flat state funding, rising costs and eliminated federal grants. The district announced staff displacements; paraeducators and educational support professionals urged alternatives at public comment.
Tacoma School District officials told the board on Thursday that the district faces an estimated $30,000,000 budget shortfall for the 2025–26 school year, and staff reductions and program changes are under way as part of efforts to balance the operating budget.
The district’s finance presentation said state funding increases were modest compared with district needs and that rising costs — including fuel, utilities, insurance and salaries — left Tacoma Public Schools vulnerable. “We are facing a $30,000,000 deficit,” the superintendent said during the board meeting.
Chief Financial Officer Ross told the board the conference budget produced roughly $5,800,000 in new basic education revenue for Tacoma and about $6,500,000 in special-education revenue driven by a revised multiplier and a higher safety-net threshold. He said those increases will not close the gap and that the district remains under the special-education cap (16%), so it will not receive additional…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
