Tacoma School District
Minutes
Board Business Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday October 9, 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 STATEMENT
Tacoma Public Schools does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, creed, religion, color, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, homelessness, disability, neurodivergence, 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, Gender-Inclusive Schools Coordinator, and Title IX Coordinator:
Tiffany Davis-Brantley
253-571-1252, civilrights@tacoma.k12.wa.us
Section 504 Coordinator:
Laura Tuman
253-571-1086, 504Coordinator@tacoma.k12.wa.us
Tacoma Public Schools
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. Bonbright, E. Leon, K. Strozier, L. Keating
Directors Absent
None
Guests Present
C. Wells, Student Representative, J. Barber, Student Representative, 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
II. 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.
Observances for October were Disability History Month, Filipino American History Month, Child Health Day, Washington State Children's Day, and National School Lunch Week.
III. Superintendent's Report
A.
SUPERINTENDENT'S UPDATES
Superintendent Garcia shared brief updates including:
- K-12-Support Department hosted the state-sponsored 9th grade success collaborative, which brought 18 different school districts together to share best practices.
- This month is Principal Appreciation Month.
- He shared updates about the WIAA Student Athlete of the Week
- WA-GAP emails are going out to seniors, which is a guaranteed admissions programs to 7 partner universities. Be sure to check for College-Bound scholarships.
- Reminded that Pierce County Transit that youth ride for free.
- Enrollment nights in middle schools and high schools will be held soon.
- Congratulations to Mt. Tahoma/Lincoln football teams and their show of sportsmanship!
B.
STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES REPORT TO THE BOARD
Student Representative Wells shared that Tacoma School of the Arts hosted an SAT prep course, and also that SOTA's October showcase had great performances!
Student Representative Barber (iDEA) shared that in asking for student input, he received concern around budget priorities, the need to keep younger teachers. Teachers from iDEA would love the Board to come visit the school. -♦- In later comments, he shared that he has been advocating with our congressional representatives about issues important to students such as changing the probationary time for teen driver laws.
IV. Members of the Public Wishing to Address the Board
A.
Public Comment Guidelines
There were no verbal or written comments.
B.
OPTION 1: VERBAL COMMENT
There were no verbal comments.
C.
OPTION 2: WRITTEN COMMENT
There were no written comments.
V. Consent Agenda
A.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA
C. McElroy moved that the Board of Directors approve the Consent Agenda, including meeting minutes, as presented.
E. Bonbright seconded the motion.
The Board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
The Minutes were approved as part of the Consent Agenda.
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.
THIS IS THE VOTE FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA
VI. Curriculum and Instruction
A.
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT #4 TO CONTRACT NO. TSD-20-017 BETWEEN GRADUATION ALLIANCE AND TACOMA SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 10
B.
APPROVAL OF INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT NO. TSD-25-232 BETWEEN BELLEVUE COLLEGE AND TACOMA SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 10 FOR COLLEGE IN THE HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR
C.
APPROVAL TO INCREASE PURCHASE ORDER 27461 WITH GRADUATION ALLIANCE TO CLOSE OUT THE 2024- 2025 SCHOOL YEAR
D.
APPROVAL OF CONTRACT NO. TSD-23-085, AMENDMENT #5, BETWEEN LILAC CITY BEHAVIORAL SERVICES AND TACOMA SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 10 FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2025 - JULY 31, 2028
E.
APPROVAL OF CONTRACT NO. TSD-24-074 BETWEEN PROCARE THERAPY AND TACOMA SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 10. FROM JANUARY 1 - AUGUST 31, 2025
F.
APPROVAL OF INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT NO. TSD-25-252 BETWEEN UNIVERSITY PLACE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND TACOMA SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 10 FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR
G.
APPROVAL OF INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT NO. TSD-25-265 BETWEEN PUGET SOUND EDUCATIONAL SERVICE DISTRICT (PSESD) AND TACOMA SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 10 FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR
VII. Business Matters
A.
APPROVAL OF CONTRACT TSD-25-245 BETWEEN URBAN GRACE CHURCH AND TACOMA PUBLIC SCHOOLS FROM AUGUST 26, 2025 - JUNE 30, 2026
B.
APPROVAL TO PURCHASE TRAINING EQUIPMENT FROM DAKTIC AND NORTHPARK FOR TACOMA SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 10 FOR THE MARITIME SKILLS CENTER
C.
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO CONTRACT NO. TSD-24-036 BETWEEN TACOMA SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 10 AND NORTHWEST FIRE SYSTEMS: MARCH 1, 2024 - AUGUST 8, 2026
D.
APPROVAL OF CONTRACT NO.TSD-25-005 GUARANTEED MAXIMUM PRICE (GMP) AMENDMENT #2 BETWEEN TACOMA SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 10 AND BNBUILDERS INC. FROM JANUARY 14, 2025 - DECEMBER 27, 2027
E.
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT #2 TO CONTRACT NO. TSD-24-147 BETWEEN FIRST STUDENT AND TACOMA SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 10
F.
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT #2 TO CONTRACT NO. TSD-23-102 BETWEEN MEDOSWEET FARMS AND TACOMA SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 10
G.
APPROVAL OF UNCOLLECTIBLE DEBT WRITE-OFF
VIII. Other Business
A.
FIRST READING OF RESOLUTION NO. 2168, AUTHORIZING THE BALLOT PROPOSITION NO. 1, REPLACEMENT OF EXPIRING LEVY FOR K-12 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS
As this was a first reading, no action was taken.
B.
FIRST READING OF RESOLUTION NO. 2169, AUTHORIZING THE BALLOT PROPOSITION NO. 2, REPLACEMENT OF EXPIRING LEVY FOR K-12 TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENT AND UPGRADES
As this was a first reading, no action was taken.
C.
ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION NO. 2170, AUTHORIZING ACQUISITION OF WAREHOUSE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 4401 AND 4409 SOUTH ORCHARD STREET
As this was a first reading, no action was taken.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| E. Leon |
Aye
|
| E. Bonbright |
Aye
|
| C. McElroy |
Aye
|
| K. Strozier |
Aye
|
| L. Keating |
Aye
|
IX. Closing Items
A.
BOARD COMMENTS/REPORTS
Committee Reports:
- Director Keating shared that she and members of the Superintendent's leadership team continue to meet with Cascade Government Affairs and other partners on legislative priorities for the next legislative session. -♦- She and Superintendent Garcia will be meeting with Speaker Jenkins in the coming week. -♦-
Community Events:
- Director Keating attended the Hilltop Artists Better Futures Luncheon
- Director Keating also attended a Community Group Town Hall event with Attorney General Nick Brown to address issues specific to LGBTQ+ students. She shared
Updates/Comments:
- Director Keating and President Strozier recently met with Senators Wellman and Nobles who chose Tacoma Public Schools as part of their annual tour of different School Districts around the state. They were able to share about the great work we are doing, as well as challenges faced by our district and others due to government funding cuts.
B.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEXT REGULAR BOARD MEETINGS
- October 16, 2025: 6:00PM - Study Session
- October 23, 2025: 6:00PM - Business Meeting
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.