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Teachers and union warn of program losses and training gaps as district faces PERS-driven shortfall
Summary
Union and staff speakers told the Rainier School District board that cuts and reassignments could leave PE and other programs staffed by untrained educators and described uncertainty for alternative programs; finance staff identified PERS contributions as a major budget pressure.
At the June 8 Rainier School District 13 board meeting, classroom staff and union leaders urged board members to consider the instructional impacts of planned staffing changes and the district’s projected shortfall.
Robin Disha, introduced as the REA president, told the board she and the union wanted to work collaboratively on bargaining to protect student learning while addressing the district’s fiscal challenges. "We offered a financial proposal with very broad language so that many approaches of being fiscally responsible while best supporting student learning could be discussed," she said.
Longtime staff member Sue Gibson described classroom-level consequences if certified physical education teachers are replaced with untrained staff. "Physical education is where the basics of health and physical knowledge start," Gibson said, and warned that "there is a major difference between having a trained physical education teacher directing the activities or an untrained educator." She asked whether the district would prepare replacement staff with training and adequate prep time.
Several speakers described uncertainty about the fate of North Columbia Academy (NCA), an alternative program they said has helped keep students on track. One teacher said, "I had a student at my desk this morning almost in tears because she doesn't know. She doesn't know what's going to happen." Staff noted seven graduates this year from NCA and said families are making contingency plans amid the unknown.
Finance staff framed the fiscal constraints the board must weigh. During the meeting a finance presenter reported, "the cost of PERS is $700,000, which is roughly half of the projected 1.4 million 1.38 million shortfall," tying retirement contribution increases to the district’s budget gap. Board members discussed options including temporarily lowering an 8% general‑fund reserve set by board policy and using some grant funds tied to bond‑planning expenses rather than the general fund.
Union and board members described a cooperative tone in talks but emphasized difficult choices remain as negotiations continue. Board members directed staff to finish required state filings after budget adoption and to continue monitoring PERS projections and program impacts.
What’s next: bargaining conversations and staff planning on training, program continuity and reserve policy will continue over the summer as the district prepares the 2026–27 school year.
