No levy fix means Tacoma schools will cut $30 million next year
The Tacoma School Board approved a resolution Thursday to move forward with $30 million in budget cuts unless the state Legislature allows the district to collect more revenue through local levies.
“The impacts in programs, services and staff support will be severe and felt across the district – depending, of course, on what happens in the Legislature,” Tacoma Public Schools Superintendent Carla Santorno said during the board meeting.
Most of Tacoma’s budget shortfall stems from a levy cap, which the Legislature implemented in exchange for raising the state property tax to fund education. However, many large urban districts have said they were negatively impacted by the switch.
Tacoma says it must plan for the budget shortfall now in case legislators don’t come up with a levy fix by the end of session on April 28. State law requires the district notify certified staff by May 15 if their position will be eliminated for the upcoming school year.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/news/no-levy-fix-means-tacoma-schools-will-cut-dollar30-million-next-year/ar-BBVTdDf
