More than 400 staff members with Tacoma Public Schools have been displaced for the upcoming school year as part of sweeping budget reductions, officials announced Friday.
The staffing changes are tied to a projected $30 million shortfall for the 2025–26 school year — the third consecutive year of major budget gaps for the district. Officials cited continued underfunding by the state’s basic education formula, which they say fails to keep up with rising costs.
Tacoma schools reveal how many staff members will be impacted by budget cuts
“The state’s basic education funding formula is inadequate and has been for years,” the district said in its update. “The total amount of money we receive from the state, year after year, continues to fall short and fails to account for rising costs.”
Since 2023, the district has faced more than $80 million in combined budget shortfalls. In response, 72 administrative positions have been eliminated and millions of dollars cut from staffing and discretionary programs.
For the 2025–26 school year, officials said 12 administrative positions have been cut and roughly $20 million in additional reductions identified through program and discretionary expenditure cuts.
As part of those reductions, all elementary instructional coaches have been displaced but will remain employed with the district and reassigned, with some supporting intervention services and others moving into classroom roles. Secondary instructional coaches had previously been displaced due to program cuts.
To date, the district said 403 full- and part-time staff have been impacted by displacements and position eliminations. Of those, 200 have been reassigned to new roles, while 203 currently have no placement for the upcoming school year.
More hiring expected this summer
District leaders said hiring will continue over the summer as additional vacancies are identified due to retirements, resignations, or changes in enrollment. Certificated roles will prioritize the rehire of provisional employees who received non-renewal notices.
A message announcing the changes acknowledged the emotional toll of ongoing cuts.
“It’s difficult to watch our friends and co-workers experience these changes and not feel unsettled ourselves. We do not take lightly the decisions about our budget and staffing.”
