Your Turn to Fix Tacoma Public Schools Budget

If you’re interested in what’s going on with the public schools, or if you just have fond memories of educational films, you may want to check out the video Tacoma Public Schools has put together on the district’s budget situation. We can’t quite tell if it’s tongue-in-cheek, or dead serious, but either way, it’s got a hint of the educational film about it. You may feel compelled to take a note or two as you watch it, or maybe this is just a good chance to put your head down on your desk and take a little rest break (go ahead, we won’t tell the teacher).

Okay, ready for the pop quiz? Seriously, the District is giving the public the opportunity to take a swing at fixing the anticipated $12 million budget gap outlined in the video. The District Budget Outlook page for Tacoma Public Schools includes a budget calculator with options for cost-cutting and revenue enhancing measures. We gave it a try, and it really drives home the point that cutting $12 million means making some tough, tough choices if you care about Tacoma’s kids. There are no easy answers here; there is no easy A.

So what changes would you make? And what changes do you most hope not to see? Go ahead, share it with the class – put it in the comments.

Learn more from the District, and try your hand at the budget calculator at www.tacoma.k12.wa.us