District staff told the school board they have narrowed a roughly $100 million shortfall but still expect to dip into fund balance next year. Proposed changes include tweaks to the weighted-staffing model, a CTE ratio shift, central-office reductions and an estimated $9.5 million in school-level savings; staff said they will protect jobs through attrition and a 35% mitigation reserve.
Superintendent Scholdner told the board Seattle Public Schools ranks near the top in aggregate outcomes but trails on measures for low-income and multilingual students; he proposed revising goals (including considering third-grade SBA rather than second-grade MAP) and rewording guardrails from prohibitions to affirmative commitments focused on equity, attendance and safety.
Staff introduced the Student Assignment Transition Plan and said the district will open two new highly capable elementary cohort sites (Rainier View and Alki) with family enrollment decisions due March 31; directors raised concerns about site selection, program supports for multilingual and special education students, and communications timing.
Directors unanimously approved amendments to Board Policy 12.40 (committees) and Board Policy 12.50 (student members), directing staff to form committees and asking for early review of charters; Director Rankin’s amendment for charter review was discussed and then moved to committee for fuller vetting.
Directors approved a $154,056 amendment to a contract with Gersh Academy, bringing the total contract to $1,129,056 for private therapeutic day placements; staff described oversight processes and state safety-net reimbursement rules.
At its Feb. 11 meeting, the Seattle School Board heard extended public testimony after two students were killed near school grounds. Parents, students and teachers pressed for stronger campus safety measures, trauma-informed services, cameras and mandatory ethnic-studies instruction.
Superintendent Scholdner told the board the district faces a multi‑year structural shortfall (staff discussed an $87M figure if no changes are made); he proposed prioritizing school funding, harvesting vacant positions, reviewing facilities and considering a multi‑year remediation plan while urging caution about layoffs.
District staff told the board the five‑year math proficiency goal (sixth‑grade Smarter Balanced proficiency from 56.8% to 66.8% by 2030) is ambitious; interim MAP predictions show maintenance for many grades and persistent subgroup gaps, prompting directors to press for concrete, funded strategies for multilingual learners and students furthest from educational justice.
Associate Superintendent Dr. Torres Morales presented baseline 'Life Ready' metrics showing an 84.8% district baseline with a 2030 target of 94.8%; the board heard low completion rates for Grade 8 and Grade 11 High School and Beyond plan tasks, concerns about data capture (Naviance), IEP disparities and transport barriers for career programs.
District lobbyist Clifford (first referenced in the transcript as Cliff Tradesman) told the board the state is facing at least a $1,000,000,000 deficit and urged protecting K–12 funding; staff reviewed the district’s 2026 legislative agenda and the board discussed levy policy, LEA, and advocacy rules under Board Policy 12.25.
