A substitute teacher who spoke during public comment urged the board to allow substitutes to use sick leave they had accrued while working for Tacoma Public Schools. Paul Barak, identified in the meeting as a substitute teacher, said substitutes “did not have the financial protection of days off that teachers did” and asked that accrued leave from last year be made available to full-time substitute teachers.

District staff told the board they had reviewed the issue and rolled out a reporting and usage process for eligible employees. Malik (staff presenter) said the system has been pushed to all staff in a weekly newsletter and that group-specific communications to affected labor groups will follow. Malik stated the staff conclusion: the earlier concern raised in public comment is resolved by the newly published procedures and a form for reporting and requesting leave.

The nut graf: The board gave staff direction after public comment and staff reported back that substitutes will be able to use accrued paid sick leave, including leave accrued last year, and that communications and forms have been provided to staff.

Board members confirmed the district’s clarification on the record. After the public comment and staff update, a board member read the district communication and confirmed that “leave that is accrued from last year that carries over this year is included in the ability for them to take it.” The district did not present a board-level vote on policy changes during the meeting; staff implemented the administrative process and will follow up with labor-specific notifications.

Ending: Staff said they will continue targeted communications to labor groups and respond to additional questions; the public commenter who spoke thanked the board and indicated appreciation for the resolution.