Tacoma School Board approves contracts, construction work and a nutrition-services contract; member hears public concerns about teacher evaluations

The Tacoma School Board on an evening meeting approved a series of routine contracts, construction amendments and resolutions and ratified a three-year collective bargaining agreement for nutrition services, while a public commenter urged the district to clarify improvement plans for provisional teachers.

The board adopted the consent agenda and then heard a financial update from Krista Bell, who said, “revenues are about $581,000,000 projected” and noted an added safety-net revenue of about $4.4 million. Bell said the district’s projected ending fund balance is roughly $3.5 million, about 0.6% of the general fund versus the board’s 5% target, and reminded members that June close and year-end adjustments are pending.

Votes at a glance: - Carpe Diem Academy contracts (TSD26120, TSD26121) for special-education services (09/01/2026–08/31/2027): moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. - Interlocal amendment TSD26134 (maritime skill center planning and programming): approved by voice vote. - Interdistrict agreements (TSD26140, TSD26146, TSD26157, TSD26159) with neighboring districts: approved by voice vote. - Amendment #4 to contract TSD23‑102 with Minosweet/Meadows Sweet Farms (to pay invoices and support summer food purchases): approved; record shows an increase of about $120,000 bringing the reported total to $5,867,574.16. - Preconstruction services and GMP amendment #1 with Bailey Construction (TSD26117) for safety and security upgrades: approved; the amendment added $1,673,598 and the record lists the resulting total as $2,000,354.395 (excluding sales tax). - Resolution 2185 (acceptance of cab and Lincoln elevator modernization contract with 16 d LLC for $1,497,319.82 pretax): adopted by roll-call vote, recorded 4–0. - Resolution 2188 (updated authorized signers on district bank accounts): adopted by roll-call vote, recorded 4–0. - Fixed asset inventory reconciliation/write-offs for the 2023–25 inventory: approved; figures discussed during the meeting varied (see note below). - Ratification of the 2026–2029 collective bargaining agreement with SEIU Local 19‑48 for nutrition services: ratified by roll-call vote, recorded 4–0.

Constance Lassiter, a member of the public who identified herself during the public-comment period, described scheduling conflicts that she said prevented students from getting to class between the LRC and regular classrooms from October through May and said a mentee’s evaluation documentation seemed incomplete. Lassiter asked directly, “Do you have an improvement plan for provisional staff?” and asked how members of the public could help. Under board policy, board members did not respond during the meeting; the record notes the superintendent or designee will follow up if action is needed.

Budget and finance context: district staff emphasized that projections are preliminary and subject to change before August 31 fiscal-year close. During discussion of fixed-asset write-offs, speakers cited differing figures: a Friday report figure of about $13,000, one participant cited $30,000, and another cited $15,007.91; the board approved the reconciliation and the CFO said the precise amounts will be finalized when the books close.

The board also announced an upcoming board retreat and said regular meetings and study sessions will be held at the Professional Development Center while Central Administration undergoes infrastructure work. The board scheduled a retreat on August 13 and business meetings on August 27, September 10 and September 24.

Next steps: the superintendent or designee is expected to follow up on public-comment requests and staff will finalize year-end financial figures when the district closes the books.