Tacoma School District
Minutes
Board Business Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday June 26, 2025 at 6:00 PM
The Tacoma Public Schools Board of Directors will meet for a Business Meeting on the date and time above in the 4th Floor Auditorium at the Central Administration Building. All regular Board Business Meetings, Committee of the Whole, and Study Session meetings are open public meetings and everyone is encouraged to attend. Executive sessions are closed to the public. Public parking and the main entrance are located on the west side of the building at South G Street.
ACCOMMODATION
Persons requiring accommodations for a disability in order to attend a Board meeting (including the services of a sign language interpreter or those who want to speak at a board meeting but are advised not to attend in-person due to health risks) should contact the Board Office at 253.571.1443 before 4:30 p.m. at least three working days before the meeting to ensure that the District has time to implement appropriate accommodations.
NONDISCRIMINATION
Tacoma Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
- Civil Rights Coordinator: Tiffany Davis-Brantley, 253-571-1252, civilrights@tacoma.k12.wa.us
- Title IX Coordinator: Wayne Greer, 253-571-1191, wgreer@tacoma.k12.wa.us
- 504 Coordinator: Elise Friedrich-Nielsen, 253-571-1085, efriedr@tacoma.k12.wa.us
Mailing address: P.O. Box 1357, Tacoma, WA 98401-1357.
INTERPRETER
Individuals requiring a language interpreter for a Board meeting for any language, other than a sign language interpreter, should contact the Board Office at 253-571-1443 before 4:30 p.m., at least three working days before the meeting to ensure that the District has sufficient time to identify an interpreter.
Directors Present
C. McElroy, E. Leon, K. Strozier, L. Keating
Directors Absent
E. Bonbright
Guests Present
T. Jones
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
B.
Flag Salute
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
C.
Land Acknowledgment
Board President Strozier read a statement to honor and acknowledge that we are on the traditional ancestral and historical lands of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians.
D.
Roll Call
E. Leon arrived at 6:25PM.
E. Bonbright was absent-excused.
E.
Adoption of the Agenda
The agenda was approved as presented.
II. Recognition of Staff, Students, and Community
A.
RECOGNITION OF THE SHINING STAR COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARD TO THE RAINIERS
Chief Operating Officer Williams shared the recognition of the Rainiers as recipients of the June 2025 Shining Star Community Partner Award.
III. Superintendent's Report
A.
HUMAN RESOURCES UPDATE
Director of HR Operations Deaderick presented a 2025-2026 Staffing update.
B.
BUDGET AND FINANCIAL UPDATE
Chief Financial Officer Medina presented the Budget Update, including information on the biennial Budget Advisory Committee meeting and their recommendations. The full report is available on the Budget website.
Superintendent Garcia:
- Thanked all our amazing staff and the work they've done on behalf of our kids this year, as well as community partners, large and small, students' families, community aunties, etc., along with a big shout-out to our kids for their hard work this year.
- Thanked our Communications team, K-12 Department, Safety & Security, Printing & Graphics, etc. and all those who helped make Graduations magical.
- Reminded that Summer Late Nights are up and running and encouraged kids (middle and high school ages) to participate.
IV. Members of the Public Wishing to Address the Board
A.
Public Comment Guidelines
B.
OPTION 1: VERBAL COMMENT
The following members of the public addressed the Board regarding:
- School funding cuts: Becky Renzi and Miss Peggy
- School cell phone policies: Jamie Brooks, Jarrett Austin, Jennifer Arnold, and Glenn Johnson
- Grievance procedures: Tamar Brown El
- Impact and benefits of serving with Beyond the Bell/Club B: Levi Mumford-Nichols
C.
OPTION 2: WRITTEN COMMENT
The following members of the public provided written public comments regarding:
- Cuts to Geiger Montessori program personnel: Shaina Columbo and Simone Gorrindo
- School cell phone policies: Christie Jett and Jennifer Arnold
- Eliminating Blix Elementary Assistant Principal: TeyAnjulee Leon
- Cuts to the juvenile detention education program (Remann Hall): Shai'Anne Luebbe
- Jennifer Arnold: Family survey results on cell phone use at Hunt Middle School
V. Consent Agenda
A.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
B.
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS
C.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED FINANCIAL REPORT)
D.
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL REQUESTS
E.
FIELD TRIP REQUESTS
F.
APPROVAL OF THE PERSONNEL RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE SUPERINTENDENT
G.
OTHER
Director McElroy moved that the Board of Directors approve the Consent Agenda as presented. Director Keating seconded the motion. A voice vote was called, and the chair declared the motion carried with a vote of 4 yeas.
VI. Policy Matters
A.
FIRST READING OF REVISED POLICY 6957: CHANGE ORDERS
As this was a first reading, no action was taken.
B.
FIRST READING OF REVISED POLICY 6959: ACCEPTANCE OF COMPLETED CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
As this was a first reading, no action was taken.
C.
SECOND READING OF POLICY 3207: PROHIBITION OF HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION, AND BULLYING
D.
SECOND READING OF POLICY 3210: NONDISCRIMINATION OF STUDENTS
E.
SECOND READING OF POLICY 3215: SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF STUDENTS PROHIBITED
F.
SECOND READING OF POLICY 5266: SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF DISTRICT STAFF PROHIBITED
VII. Curriculum and Instruction
A.
APPROVAL OF INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT NO. TSD-25-138 BETWEEN EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY AND TACOMA SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 10 FOR COLLEGE IN THE HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR
The Superintendent explained for the public what this program does. Director Leon inquired about what other colleges within Washington we partner with.
B.
APPROVAL OF CONTRACT TSD-25-129 BETWEEN TACOMA SCHOOL DISTRICT NO.10 AND INQUIRED FOR THE PURCHASE OF K-5 DIGITAL MATERIALS FOR THE 2025-26 SCHOOL YEAR
VIII. Business Matters
A.
APPROVAL OF CONTRACT NO. TSD-25-125 BETWEEN PARKS TACOMA AND TACOMA SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 10 FROM MAY 1, 2025 - APRIL 30, 2026
Superintendent Garcia expressed gratitude for our partnership with Parks Tacoma and thanked them for supporting our students.
IX. Other Business
A.
RATIFICATION OF THE 2025-2028 COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT BETWEEN TACOMA SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 10 AND THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE TACOMA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, TACOMA ASSOCIATION OF EDUCATION OFFICE PROFESSIONALS, AND TACOMA ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS PROFESSIONAL & TECHNICAL EMPLOYEES
A roll call vote was called.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| K. Strozier |
Aye
|
| E. Bonbright |
Absent
|
| E. Leon |
Aye
|
| C. McElroy |
Aye
|
| L. Keating |
Aye
|
B.
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NO. 2160 FOR ACCEPTANCE OF CONTRACT BETWEEN TACOMA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 10 AND JOHN KORSMO, LLC D/B/A KORSMO CONSTRUCTION
A roll call vote was called.
X. Closing Items
A.
BOARD COMMENTS/REPORTS
Committee Reports:
- There were none.
Community Events:
- Director McElroy shared that the Tacoma Urban League hosted the 2025"State of Black Tacoma." She thanked TPS staff, Graduate Tacoma, and other community-based organizations who work to empower underserved residents (predominantly people of color) to collaborate in addressing critical issues they face.
Updates/Comments:
- Director Keating shared reflections from graduations and how meaningful they are to participate in and how inspiring she finds the student speakers.
- Director McElroy shared comments and asked clarifying questions of General Counsel Gbenro regarding discussion about a possible Bell-to-Bell Cell Phone policy. -♦- She asked Superintendent Garcia for the definition of "market driven competitive salaries" and what that term currently applies to. -♦- She inquired what different "budget buckets" the district has. -♦- She reminded the public that students are out for the summer and they will be out and about in community with you. -♦- She shared her concern that sometime the "squeaky wheel gets the grease" and shared her awareness that there are members of our community whose voices are not being represented before the Board because they don't have the time/opportunity or even have language barriers to come to board meetings to give their input.
- Director Leon shared his reflections from serving on graduations for Oakland and Stadium High Schools and acknowledged how powerful some of these students are in light of the challenges some have faced. -♦- He addressed some of Director McElroy's comments regarding cell phone policy decisions, acknowledging that some surveys that have been done have participants who come from different socioeconomic groups. He feels that there is overwhelming support from the community, school staff, and students, based on listening sessions he held in several schools this year and the comments the Board has received via public comment and email.
- Director Strozier shared his reflections about what a challenging year it has been and appreciation for the excitement from this year's graduations and celebrations for students who are moving forward. He encouraged students, including those who have graduated, to stay the course and stay safe this summer.
B.
Announcement of Next Regular Board Meetings
July 10, 2025, 6:00PM - Business Meeting (Note: the Public Hearing for the 2025-2026 Proposed Budget will be held at this meeting)
August 14, 2025, 5:30PM - Board Retreat
August 28, 2025, 6:00PM - Business Meeting
Board President Strozier called the meeting to order.