Board President Strozier will call the meeting to order.

Recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Tacoma Public Schools acknowledges that we are on the traditional ancestral and historical lands of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. We honor with gratitude the land itself and the Puyallup Tribe. This acknowledgment serves as a first step in honoring our nearest tribal neighbors and partners who have inhabited this region since time immemorial, and to whom we give thanks for allowing us passage to their lands. We shall intentionally create inclusive and respectful partnerships that honor indigenous cultures, histories, identities, and sociopolitical realities.

General Counsel Gbenro will call the roll.

President Strozier will call for a motion to amend the agenda or approve as presented.

The Community Partnership Office recommends the Board of Directors recognize the Department of Equity, Engagement and Belonging at Pierce College. 

Fall Staffing video: Slide 4 video link

School Board members encourage public participation. Your civil input is appreciated. Board members will not respond to your comments during the meeting. The Superintendent or a designee will follow-up with you after the meeting if action is needed.

Instead of speaking at a meeting, you may also send an email to the board at board@tacoma.k12.wa.us. Please contact the Board Office in advance of the meeting for disability accommodations. 

Under Board Policy 1430 - Public Comment, the Board President may terminate an individual's comments when the allotted time has passed and may interrupt a speaker to require the same standard of civility that the Board imposes on itself. Examples of uncivil comments include comments that: 

• Are libelous or slanderous under a legal standard; 
• Are an unwarranted invasion of privacy; 
• Are obscene or indecent pursuant to the Federal Communications Act or any rule or regulation of the Federal Communications Commission; 
• Violate school district policy or procedure related to harassment, intimidation, bullying, or discrimination; 
• Incite an unlawful act on school premises or violate a lawful school regulation; 
• or Create a material and substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the Board meeting. 

The Board as a whole has the final decision in determining the appropriateness of all such rulings and can maintain order by removing those who are disruptive. However, the Board recognizes the distinction between uncivil discourse, which it will not tolerate, and comments about the Board, district, and/or staff that are negative yet still civil in nature. The Board will exercise its authority to maintain order in a content neutral manner.

The General Counsel will call your name when it is your turn to address the school board. Please speak into the microphone. You may have up to three (3) minutes to share your comments or, if there are a large number of speakers, time may be limited at the President's discretion.

The following member of the public submitted written public comment: 

(Please note: This comment was sent for the Sept. 11, 2025 Board Meeting but was submitted after the deadline.)

• APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER 11, 2025 BOARD MEETING MINUTES

The Chief Financial Officer recommends that the Board of Directors approve the submission of one general certificate for authorization, and, if authorized, approve expenditure of funds within accepted guidelines. 

APPROVAL OF OUT-OF-COUNTRY TRAVEL TO SHANGHAI, CHINA, OCTOBER 24 - NOVEMBER 2, 2025

The Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning recommends that the Board of Directors approve travel for six delegates to travel to Shanghai, China from October 24 - November 2, 2025 in the amount of $30,000. [Funding Source: International Trust]

The Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources recommends that the Board of Directors approve the personnel recommendations to the Superintendent for the September 25, 2025 Board Meeting.

APPROVAL OF ACCEPTANCE OF GRANT AWARDS, GIFTS, OR DONATIONS

The Chief Financial Officer recommends that the Board of Directors approve acceptance of the included grants, gifts, or donations, and approve the expenditure of funds within accepted guidelines.

This is the vote to approve consent agenda items.

The General Counsel, on behalf of the Director of Purchasing, recommends the Board of Directors adopt the revised draft of Policy 6957.

The General Counsel, on behalf of the Director of Purchasing, recommends the Board of Directors adopt the revised draft of Policy 6959.

The district's next monthly financial report will be presented. 

Monthly financial statements can be found on the district website at https://www.tacomaschools.org/departments/businessandfinance.

The Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning recommends that the Board of Directors approve the 2025-26 Highly Capable Plan and approve acceptance of associated funding estimated at $958,201 for September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2026 as well as expenditure of funds within accepted guidelines. [Funding source: Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction]

The Chief Financial Officer recommends the Board of Directors approve the purchase of two (2) Type C diesel buses from Schetky Bus Sales and two (2) Type C diesel buses from Bryson Bus Sales in the amount of $773,010.65. [Funding Source: Transportation Vehicle Fund]

The Chief Financial Officer recommends that the Board of Directors approve Amendment #1 to Contract TSD-20-219 with First Student to provide maintenance services for the District's transportation fleet in the amount of $384,487, increasing the total contract value to $984,487. [Funding Source: Transportation]

The Chief Operating Officer recommends that the Board of Directors approve the Preconstruction Services Contract and the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) Amendment #1 between BNBuilders and Tacoma School District No.10 for the new Central Kitchen Project in the amount of $4,995,177, bringing the total consideration to $5,176,449, excluding sales tax. [Funding Source: Capital Project Bond as approved by voters on February 13, 2024]

The District’s General Counsel recommends that the Board individually approve and communicate the draft annual goals and objectives they formulated for the 2025-2026 school year.

Committee Reports:

Community Events:

Updates/Comments:

October 9, 2025: 

6:00PM - Business Meeting

October 16, 2025:

6:00PM - Study Session

October 23, 2025: 

6:00PM - Business Meeting

Board President Strozier will adjourn the meeting.