Tacoma School District
Minutes
Board Business Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday July 10, 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: Tiffany Davis-Brantley, 253-571-1252, civilrights@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, K. Strozier, L. Keating
Directors Absent
E. Bonbright, E. Leon
Guests Present
T. Jones
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
B.
Flag Salute
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.
Adoption of the Agenda
The agenda was adopted as presented.
II. Public Hearing
A.
FINANCIAL PRESENTATION
Chief Financial Officer Medina presented a 2024-25 budget overview as well as the 2025-26 Budget Development process and recommendations.
B.
PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE 2025-2026 PROPOSED BUDGET
Board President Strozier called the public hearing to order.
There were no written comments submitted.
The following member of the public gave verbal comment:
- Kari Madden
III. Recognition of Staff, Students, and Community
A.
STATE HOLIDAYS AND CIVIC OBSERVANCES
Each month the Board recognizes State and Federal civic observances that are both legislatively recognized and which align with the District's strategic Plan.
July Recognition was Independence Day (July 4).
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 of directors:
- Allen Schliebe re: Exempt employee placement transfer
- Tamar Brown El re: Legal review
- Jesse Green re: Dress codes
- Becky Renzi re: Funding
- Kari Madden re: Cell phone policies in schools
- Ingrid Aparicio re: The impact of Beyond the Bell and Jobs 253 programs
C.
OPTION 2: WRITTEN COMMENT
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
H.
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
C. McElroy moved that the Board of Directors approve the Consent Agenda as presented.
L. Keating seconded the motion.
The Board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
VI. Business Matters
A.
APPROVAL OF WASHINGTON INFORMATION PROCESSING COOPERATIVE PURCHASE ORDER FROM OCTOBER 1, 2025 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2026
B.
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT #4 TO THE DISTRICT'S MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING TSD-21-092 WITH PARKS TACOMA AND THE TRUST FOR PUBLIC LAND, AND AMENDMENT #1 TO INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT TSD-23-175 WITH PARKS TACOMA
VII. Other Business
A.
APPROVAL OF WASHINGTON INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATION (WIAA) MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL AND SCHOOL BOARD RESOLUTION FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR
A roll call vote was called.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| C. McElroy |
Aye
|
| L. Keating |
Aye
|
| E. Bonbright |
Absent
|
| E. Leon |
Absent
|
| K. Strozier |
Aye
|
B.
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NO. 2161: ADOPTING THE 2025-2026 BUDGET
A roll call vote was called.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| L. Keating |
Aye
|
| C. McElroy |
Aye
|
| E. Bonbright |
Absent
|
| K. Strozier |
Aye
|
| E. Leon |
Absent
|
VIII. Closing Items
A.
BOARD COMMENTS/REPORTS
Committee Reports:
- Director Keating gave updates on the Federal Relations meetings she's been attending, as they continue to monitor and assess the rapid changes at the Federal Government level and work to mitigate impacts. She has been chair of the WSSDA Federal Relations Network for the past two years and has been a committee member since being elected to the Board in 2019. This committee works together to assess what variety of impacts of different policies and agendas the federal administration decisions make for school districts in Washington state in order to help our federal delegation and legislature. She and Superintendent Garcia will be meeting soon with Speaker Jinkins to ask for continued support from the legislature to mitigate rising costs and lasting impacts.
Community Events:
- Director McElroy encouraged middle and high school students to participate in the Summer Late Nights program as well as other community partner events available to students and families (such as those available through Parks Tacoma, City of Tacoma, etc.)
Updates/Comments:
- Director McElroy shared for the public's knowledge that "Board Retreat" meetings that are held several times per year are held in district buildings at no cost. She thanked fellow Board Members for the work they do as the lowest paid elected body within the city limits.
B.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEXT REGULAR BOARD MEETINGS
August 14, 2025: 5:30PM - Board Retreat
August 28, 2025: 6:00PM - Business Meeting
September 11, 2025: 6:00PM - Business Meeting
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.