Parents and an alum urge Tacoma board to protect McKinney‑Vento transportation supports and add teachers at Blix Elementary
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Summary
Public commenters asked the Tacoma School District board to preserve McKinney‑Vento transportation funding (a commenter cited a ~$750,000 loss reported in local media) and Blix Elementary parents requested two additional teachers or extra instructional aides to end combined‑grade classrooms of 26–28 students.
Gabriela Polciani urged the board to prioritize McKinney‑Vento transportation funding for students experiencing homelessness, saying she read a news report that the district stands to lose about $750,000 in transportation safety‑net funds while facing an approximately $30,000,000 budget shortfall. "When my family was experiencing housing instability, reliable transportation made that possible," Polciani said, asking the board to keep the program a priority.
Two parents from Blix Elementary pushed the board to address combined‑grade classrooms. "We have 26 to 28 students in each class, each representing two grades with only one teacher in the classroom," Dr. Brian Humphries said, asking the board to "add two teachers to Blix Elementary to establish a stand‑alone second grade and a stand‑alone fourth grade class." Jake Nao echoed the request and said that if hiring a teacher is not possible in the near term, the school needs additional classroom support staff.
Why it matters: McKinney‑Vento transportation is designed to keep students experiencing housing instability connected to school; parents and alumni said cuts would directly affect students' safety and continuity. Parents argued that combined classes with two grade levels and up to 28 students are harming instruction and social‑emotional development.
Board response and next steps: The board followed its public comment policy and did not respond during the meeting; the superintendent or designee will follow up with commenters if action is needed, and public commenters said they will submit a written letter documenting classroom observations and requests. The district finance presentation later in the meeting confirmed transportation revenue impacts during the year, though district staff did not confirm the exact $750,000 figure cited by Polciani during public comment.
Provenance: Public comment segment where Gabriela Polciani, Dr. Brian Humphries and Jake Nao addressed the board.