Rosalind Medina, Tacoma Public Schools chief financial officer, told the district's Board of Directors that the district faces a budget gap and low reserves that could force deeper cuts if revenues do not improve.

"School district funding is very complicated, unfortunately," Medina said during the board meeting, describing the general fund, revenue sources and the district's current cash position. Medina said the district's general fund this year is roughly $578,000,000 and that 73% of revenue comes from the state. She said the district is projecting a $3.5 million shortfall if current trends hold.

The shortfall comes after multi‑year erosion of reserves and the end of federal stabilization dollars, Medina said. The district's fund balance was about $11 million at the start of the year; Medina said the administration's goal remains to rebuild reserves but the current forecast would prevent that. "If we do end the year today with everything that we know or think at this moment in time we would actually be 3 and a half million dollars in the hole," she said.

Why it matters: The shortfall has already prompted personnel actions that affect classroom and student services. Medina listed personnel impacts the district has implemented or is processing this spring: 105 provisional employees non‑renewed, 59 certificated staff displaced, 118 educational support professionals displaced and additional office professional and administrative reductions. The district also reported losing recent federal grants — a playground grant of about $1 million and a remaining $2.6 million from a multiyear mental‑health grant — and warned of other potential federal reductions.

Most of the district's spending is salaries and benefits, Medina noted, and she described limited flexibility: many state and federal funding streams are restricted for particular programs. Medina said certain state actions — including the implicit price deflator and steps required by the McCleary court process — shape how much the district receives and how those funds may be used.

Superintendent Josh Garcia and board members emphasized efforts to limit classroom disruption. Garcia told the room the administration is prioritizing reassignments where possible and working through collective bargaining obligations; he asked the community to avoid targeting individual staff online and said the district will follow applicable collective bargaining agreements. "There have been no excessive raises for teachers or other staff. They have earned it," Garcia said, adding that the district will continue weekly updates about placements and vacancies.

Public comment at the meeting was extensive and often emotional. Paraeducator and union leader Carrie Madden urged the board to "find a way to cut more from the top, not the bottom," and an enrollment secretary, Alicia Blakefield, described the local effect of losing paraprofessional colleagues who earn roughly $26 an hour and who provide daily support in schools. Students and teachers also described program losses — including language and ethnic studies instructors — that they say reduce options and continuity for learners.

Discussion vs. decisions: The board heard the financial update and approved several routine and programmatic items on the agenda (consent agenda; other business items). The meeting did not include a formal vote to adopt a final operating budget for the coming year. Medina listed next steps: continue to finalize vacancies and reassignments, review new state legislation for funding implications, pursue internal cost‑saving measures already enacted (procurement and purchase‑card freezes, purchase‑order review) and return to the board with a recommended budget and public hearings. Medina said final year‑end figures will be available late October/early November when the district's books close.

Ending: Medina warned that if the district ends the fiscal year insolvent, OSPI (the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction) can impose a financial oversight committee and binding conditions. She and Garcia asked the public for patience while they pursue reassignment and revenue options and reiterated that the district will provide weekly updates to affected staff as placements are found.