Tacoma School Board approves levy resolutions, interfund loan and several contracts as enrollment falls short of projections

The Tacoma School District board on Tuesday adopted resolutions to place two replacement levies on the February 2026 ballot, authorized a temporary transfer from its capital fund to the general fund, and approved several contracts and grants as staff warned the district is starting the year with a lower-than-expected enrollment and a slim fund balance.

The board voted unanimously to place the educational programs and operations replacement levy (Resolution No. 2168) and the replacement levy for technology and capital improvements (Resolution No. 2169) before voters in February 2026. The board also approved Resolution No. 2171 to temporarily transfer capital funds to the general fund to manage cash flow while state apportionment and revenue timing fluctuate.

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) told the board the district’s October head count was 27,012 students, below a demographer projection of 27,728 students. “What that means for us financially is that we need to be very careful around how we make our next steps forward on our finances,” the CFO said during the financial report, citing the district’s annual average full‑time equivalent calculation that drives state apportionment.

The CFO said the district projects a year‑start fund balance in the $2 million to $3 million range — far below a 5% reserve target, which would be roughly $27 million under current budgets. To maintain payroll and operations while apportionment timing varies, the board approved a temporary interfund loan from capital funds; the adopted resolution authorized a transfer of $42,000,000.

The proposed levies put specific dollar amounts on the ballot for voter consideration. District staff presented estimated collections of roughly $127 million in 2027, $132 million in 2028, $137 million in 2029 and about $143 million in 2030 for the educational programs and operations levy. The district presented an estimated tax impact under current law of about $432 per year (about $36 per month) for the average homeowner for that levy. The technology and capital levy was presented as a roughly $42,500,000 ask per four‑year period with an estimated average homeowner impact of about $137 per year (about $11.45 per month) based on a $517,000 assessed home value.

Board members and staff framed the levy requests as maintenance of existing programs and positions that the state does not fully fund. A board member said the levies support roughly 500 district positions in everyday operations and about 92 positions funded by the technology levy; together the levies support nearly 600 positions the district said are not covered by state basic education funding.

The board also approved a slate of contracts and grants during the meeting’s consent and business agendas, voting to:

- Approve Interlocal Agreement TSD‑25‑274 with Pierce County Juvenile Court to provide education in detention facilities from Aug. 31, 2025, through Aug. 31, 2028 (approved unanimously).

- Approve contract TSD25‑277 with Curriculum Associates (I‑Ready supports) for the 2025–26 school year (funding: Title I, LAP and technology services) (approved unanimously).

- Accept Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) comprehensive school improvement grants totaling $460,000 and approve related school improvement plans (funding source: OSPI) (approved unanimously).

- Approve a five‑year contract with Hilltop Artists in Residence Tacoma for Sept. 2025–Aug. 2030 (funding source: CTE) (approved unanimously).

- Move forward to negotiate and award a design‑build contract with Selling Construction for the Regional Robotics Center project (board approved authorization to negotiate) (approved unanimously).

District leadership said the interfund loan and levy measures are part of cash‑flow and long‑term revenue planning that will support instruction, technology, student services and other operations the district says the state’s funding model does not fully cover.

Public comment during the meeting highlighted both community partnerships and school staffing pressures. Emily Whitman, choir and musical theater director at Tacoma School of the Arts, thanked the board for support of SOTA’s alternate schedule and arts programs. Dr. Kimberly Keith of Hilltop Artists described the program’s expansion from a drop‑in shop in 1994 to work with roughly 700 students across multiple schools and asked the board to approve the contract; the board did so later in the meeting.

Several speakers focused on staffing losses at Roosevelt Elementary. Melanie (Milani) Summerfield, a teacher at Roosevelt, said the school is in crisis after losing a full‑time music teacher, describing increased mental‑health and behavior needs and fewer adults available to run small groups. Megan Torvison, a Roosevelt parent, said her daughter gained confidence and communication skills from music class and described concerns about a half‑time music assignment meeting state curriculum requirements. “Once those are factored in, a 0.5 FTE simply cannot meet the state requirements without cutting sessions, rotating weeks, or creating gaps,” Torvison said, adding that consistent instruction and a trusted adult in the classroom matter for students coping with social and emotional challenges.

Superintendent Garcia and other staff acknowledged community supports and programs — including the TED Fund, free tutoring, mental‑health resources and the newly launched Power League for middle school students — and encouraged families to use available services. The superintendent also noted the district will begin an informational campaign on the levy measures if the board’s actions stand.

The board scheduled the levy informational campaign and filings for the February 10, 2026, election, with certification targeted for Feb. 20. The board adopted the levy and loan resolutions by recorded votes of 4–0 where roll call was used, and other consent agenda items and contracts passed by voice vote without recorded opposition.

Votes at a glance: - Resolution No. 2168: Authorize ballot proposition No. 1 — Educational Programs and Operations replacement levy. Outcome: Adopted, roll call 4–0. - Resolution No. 2169: Authorize ballot proposition No. 2 — Technology improvements and upgrades replacement levy. Outcome: Adopted, roll call 4–0. - Resolution No. 2171: Temporary transfer (interfund loan) from capital projects fund to general fund. Amount adopted in resolution: $42,000,000. Outcome: Adopted, roll call 4–0. - Interlocal Agreement TSD‑25‑274 (Pierce County Juvenile Court): Approved (unanimous). - Contract TSD25‑277 (Curriculum Associates, I‑Ready supports): Approved (unanimous). - OSPI comprehensive school improvement grants ($460,000): Accepted and plans approved (unanimous). - Contract with Hilltop Artists (Sept. 2025–Aug. 2030): Approved (unanimous). - Authorization to negotiate/award design‑build contract with Selling Construction for Regional Robotics Center: Approved (unanimous).

Why it matters: The board’s actions set the district’s near‑term approach to a projected revenue shortfall caused by lower enrollment, low starting reserves and state funding limits. Levies are a routine but consequential mechanism in Washington for school districts to fund positions and services not covered by state basic education allocations; the district frames these renewals as maintenance of existing programs and staff.

Looking ahead: District staff said they will begin public outreach on the levies and continue to monitor enrollment and budget activity as they finalize the 2025–26 forecasting period. A timetable presented by staff targets filing and informational materials before the Feb. 10, 2026, special election.