By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
Like many school districts in Washington, the Tukwila School District (TSD) is grappling with a significant budget crisis. In March 2024, the state education department intervened to help TSD avoid insolvency after the district reported a negative fund balance and an estimated budget shortfall of $4.5 million.
According to district officials, the financial strain has been building for years, as the district depends on funding sources that often fall short of operational needs. State funding, which is allocated based on student enrollment, and federal funding for programs like free meals and special education do not fully cover the costs of running schools. To bridge the gap, TSD relies on a maintenance and operations (M&O) levy, approved by local voters every four years, which provides 20% of the district’s operating budget.
The operating budget, totaling $57.5 million annually, is used for day-to-day expenses like salaries, utilities, textbooks, and transportation. However, 83% of the budget is allocated to staffing, leaving little flexibility for unexpected expenses.
Newly elected school board member Reverend Terrence Proctor is optimistic about addressing the district’s financial challenges, though he acknowledges the road ahead is steep. Proctor, pastor of Church By The Side of the Road in Tukwila, brings a fresh perspective to the board.
“In my mind, I’m serving as an interim, though it’s not an interim title,” says Proctor. “I try to bring some common-sense leadership to the board.”
Proctor stepped into the role during a period of significant turnover and uncertainty.
“The board consists of five districts, and you had to live in a particular district that was vacant,” he said. “My predecessor was stepping down, and they didn’t have anybody to fill the position. As an active member of the community, people asked me to step in.”
Although he admits he’s not a seasoned “civic politician,” Proctor views his outsider perspective as an advantage. He likens TSD’s budget struggles to those of larger districts like Seattle, though on a smaller scale.
“The district is in some financial distress, and they needed some common sense, what we call non-professional politicians, to bring some stability,” he said.
Like many districts in Washington, Tukwila has been navigating financial pressures since the state’s McCleary Decision in 2018. The ruling increased state funding for education but initially capped the amount districts could raise locally through levies. While the Legislature eventually lifted the cap, districts like Tukwila have struggled to balance their budgets amid changing demographics and community needs.
Tukwila Public Schools’ Superintendent, Dr. Concie Pedroza acknowledges the challenges.
“It is extremely challenging [to run a district right now],” says Pedroza. “The district, the state, and a lot of the superintendents are focusing at the state level trying to get some extra funding in certain areas, it’s not everything we need, but many of us need it.”
According to Proctor, Tukwila’s population includes a high proportion of immigrants, asylum seekers, low-income families, and undocumented individuals, which has shifted the city’s tax structure.
“We also have this flood of asylum seekers and undocumented folks,” Proctor explained. “When I first got here, there was a wave of Ukrainians and Western Europeans. Now you’ve got Angolans and Sudanese. This has changed the face and tax structure of Tukwila.”
TSD serves 2,724 students across 5.4 square miles with the help of 400 employees. The district is one of the most diverse in the region, with more than 80 languages spoken.
“We are highly diverse—23.1% Asian, 21% African American, 35.9% Hispanic or Latino, and 9.5% White,” Proctor said. “We serve students with a variety of needs: 82.7% are low income, 41.3% are multilingual learners, 15% are homeless, and 15% have documented and accommodated disabilities.”
TSD’s funding is supplemented by programs such as Learning Assistance Program (LAP) funding, Title I funding for low-income students, and McKinney-Vento funding for students experiencing homelessness. However, these programs are not fully funded, leaving TSD to make tough decisions about allocating resources.
Proctor explained the challenges using a manufacturing analogy.
“Imagine you’re making widgets, and it costs $3 to make one. You need a fixed amount of funding for 1,000 widgets. But schools aren’t funded like that. Funding is based on attendance levels, not actual costs. It’s like needing $3,000 to make widgets but only being given $1,500. You still have to produce the same amount with less money,” Proctor explained.
The district’s financial woes were exacerbated by a 2018-2019 teacher strike, during which TSD promised funds it didn’t have to meet staff demands. While the deficit has decreased from $12 million to $4.5 million, the district continues to grapple with the long-term consequences of short-term fixes.
“That money has a finite bag,” Proctor said. “Now it’s spent, but you’re in a contract. The money wasn’t lost or mismanaged—it was used to thwart off a strike and compensate teachers. But now you’re left with deficits.”
Despite these challenges, Proctor and Pedroza see opportunities for growth and transformation as they find themselves and the board working to overcome this fiscal challenge. He (Proctor) believes the crisis has forced the district to focus on its core mission.
“One of the good things that comes out of adversity is that, once we stop lamenting the cuts, we realize we’re all in this together,” he said. “The pandemic forced businesses, even churches, to cut back. It made us focus on the essentials—who we are, what we want to do, and how we’re going to do it.”
“I love working with Reverend Proctor and actually all my board members are very supportive,” says Pedroza. “They ask the questions; they’ll reach out to me. I just want to say I love working with my
board. I just do. I’m very blessed to have a great board that works, and has worked hand in hand with me. I think that our relationship is pretty critical.”
Proctor is committed to ensuring that TSD continues to provide equitable opportunities for all students, even as it navigates financial uncertainty. He remains optimistic about the district’s future.
“At the end of the day, we’re here for the kids,” Proctor said. “That’s what it’s all about—giving them the tools they need to succeed, no matter the obstacles.”