Michelle Raul Lewis, Tacoma Public Schools Head Start director, told the board the district's Head Start program is fully enrolled this year and has several improvements to report.

"It is Head Start's 60th birthday this month and Tacoma Public Schools has offered Head Start for 56 of those 60 years," Raul Lewis said. She reported that the program has full enrollment with a wait list, an average attendance rate above the national average (85.6 percent), and program assessment gains: a 37 percent improvement on Teaching Strategies GOLD measures from fall to spring, meeting five of six kindergarten‑readiness indicators so far.

Why it matters: Raul Lewis said a community assessment, conducted with the Athena Group, found Tacoma city limits and Pierce County Head Start programs are serving only about 4 percent of eligible children — a data point the district called a prompt to expand outreach and reduce barriers to entry. The program also completed a federal/state audit with no findings and submitted its continuation grant the day of the meeting.

Raul Lewis described next steps that include boosting family mental‑health supports via a partnership with Greater Lakes, broadening transportation to align with K‑5 routes next year (so Head Start families qualifying under K‑5 transit rules can receive transportation), and developing individualized professional development for teaching staff after program assessments showed room for improvement in classroom practices.

A classroom teacher and former Head Start parent, Yvette Jimenez of Blix Elementary, testified to the program's family impact: she credited Head Start with changing her life and helping her complete college and become a preschool teacher; she said Head Start "didn't just prepare kids for kindergarten. It lays the groundwork." The board acknowledged the program's achievements and noted the vulnerability of federal and state funding; members asked staff to continue aggressive outreach so families know spots are available.

Discussion vs. decision: This agenda item was a staff report; the board did not take formal action during the presentation. The administration stated it submitted the continuation grant and will return with implementation details for transportation alignment and expanded family mental‑health services.

Ending: Raul Lewis asked the community to spread the word that Head Start has openings and to contact district offices about eligibility; she and board members emphasized applying for free and reduced lunch eligibility where appropriate to simplify program enrollment and fee exemptions.