Tacoma officials warn of deep state shortfall, say district must trim discretionary spending

Chief Financial Officer Ross told the Tacoma School District board on Thursday that the state is projecting a growing budget shortfall and the district faces difficult choices as it prepares the 2025–26 budget.

Ross said the district is working under the assumption of a $15 billion shortfall at the state level and is “looking to be less than a 2%” reserve for the coming year, below the district’s preferred range. He said the district will use guiding principles to prioritize spending and expect to pull back unallocated discretionary dollars to avoid an unbalanced budget.

The warning came during a financial update on the district’s budget calendar and timeline. Ross said the board’s intended adoption date is July 10, with a May 15 deadline for announcing any reductions in force that would affect teacher contracts. He noted the legislature’s Sine Die date is April 27 but cautioned lawmakers often run past scheduled deadlines,…