Tacoma board approves policy revisions, contracts, interlocal agreements and a trades CBA; adopts asset write-offs

The Tacoma School District No. 10 Board of Directors on Jan. 23 approved a set of policy, contracting and budget-related items, including the second reading and adoption of the district’s Alternative Learning Experience policy, multiple construction and equipment contracts, and a collective bargaining agreement with the Building and Construction Trades Council.

Votes at a glance

- Policy 22.55 (Alternative Learning Experience programs): Adopted on second reading (voice vote). Motion moved and seconded; vote recorded as unanimous among the four members present.

- Interlocal agreement TSD-25-009 (Federal Way School District reimbursement): Approved for $10,287.07 (10/31/2024–08/31/2025). Voice vote; unanimous among members present.

- Interlocal agreement TSD-25-008 (Federal Way School District reimbursement): Approved for $3,429.34 (10/31/2024–08/31/2025). Voice vote; unanimous among members present.

- Contract TSD-24-248 with Washington Patriot Construction (phase 1 design-build and preconstruction services for multi-facility theater lighting upgrades): Approved, estimated total $758,129 (excluding sales tax). Voice vote; unanimous among members present.

- Purchase of playground equipment for Lowell Elementary from Landscape Structures: Approved for $471,114 (excluding sales tax). Voice vote; unanimous among members present.

- Contract amendment TSD-24-024, Amendment 1 (Washington Patriot Construction—Jenny Reid Elementary modernization): Approved for $12,211,665 amendment (estimated total $12,757,339 excluding sales tax). Voice vote; unanimous among members present.

- Bid acceptance: StageCraft Industries Inc. for stage rigging replacement at a high school (False High School) — $377,500 (excluding sales tax). Voice vote; unanimous among members present.

- Resolution 2154 (fixed asset write-offs for 2021–2023): Adopted by roll-call vote; passed 4–0.

- Ratification of the 2024–2027 collective bargaining agreement between Tacoma School District No. 10 and the Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO: Ratified by roll-call vote; passed 4–0.

Context and key details

Board members stated the approvals support ongoing capital projects, school modernization work and equipment replacement across the district. Kari Kampen, director of strategic financial operations, gave the district’s monthly financial update noting timing mismatches between revenues and expenses (for example, property tax collections and lagging state transportation reimbursements), and said the district’s budgeting process will continue to focus on transportation, special education and inflationary pressures.

Several contract approvals drew brief explanatory remarks: staff described stage rigging as the steel structure around a stage used to hang lights and curtains, and the Lowell playground purchase as part of the Lowell Elementary replacement project.

Roll-call votes

Where the transcript recorded a roll call, the board’s four voting members present—President Corey Strozier (Aye), Vice President McIlroy (Aye), Director Keating (Aye), and Director Leon (Aye)—voted in favor. Director Bonebright was recorded as absent earlier in the meeting.

Next steps and implementation

Several approved contracts include defined service windows and estimated totals; project teams and the district’s planning and construction office will proceed with procurement and preconstruction steps. The financial team said it will continue monthly monitoring and legislative engagement as the 2025 state budget process unfolds.

Ending

The board wrapped the consent and business portions of the meeting after the votes and moved to board comments and reports.