TACOMA, Wash. — Hundreds of teachers and support staff in Tacoma Public Schools are set to lose their jobs for the upcoming school year as the district grapples with a $30 million budget shortfall.
Tacoma Public Schools stated that the decision to eliminate positions was painful but necessary to address the financial deficit. The cuts will affect all 60 schools in the district, according to the Tacoma Education Association (TEA).
“115 provisional certificated employees received notice that their contract was paused for the 2025-26 school year,” the statement said. “105 of them received notice that their contract is not renewed for the 2025-26 school year.”
Angel Morton, president of the Tacoma Education Association, expressed concern about the impact on students. “The district is saying they have a $30 million deficit. They’re busy cutting positions to try to make their budget work,” Morton said.
Patricia Leo, a school counselor, emphasized the importance of accountability. “The district has to be accountable for what they’re cutting because the people they’re cutting are affecting some of our most vulnerable students,” she said.
The cuts will also result in the displacement of 59 certificated staff, meaning their roles will change, but they will retain employment. At least 20 guidance counselors are among those affected, according to TEA.
Special education teacher Ra’Shawn Read expressed concern about the impact on students. “It’s already hard enough to try to meet the needs of the kids on my caseloads. These cuts feel like it’s gonna have an even deeper impact on my ability to give them the time they need to help get them where they need to be,” Read said.
In a statement, a Tacoma Public Schools spokesperson said to KOMO News,
We operate in the confines of the state and federal budgets, and collective bargaining agreements. As we approach a $30 million shortfall, there are things we can do and things we can’t do. These staffing and programmatic changes do not reflect on the value of our teachers and staff. We value our teachers. They do hard work, and they do it well. And that’s why we are pleased to compensate them well. Among the largest districts the state, Tacoma teachers are the top paid. Our teachers are experienced; the average teacher has taught here for almost 15 years. These changes are hard, but necessary, for us to retain a talented workforce and build a sustainable budget for the future. We will continue to support students and make the best decisions on their behalf.
Despite efforts to minimize the impact, some believe the effects are unavoidable. “Every school will see a difference in their staffing, especially with the paraeducator piece with our support folks being pulled out,” Morton said.
