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