TPS School Board Vacancy (Position 2)

Under state law (RCW 28A.343.340) and District Policy/Regulation 1114R, applicants must meet the legal requirements below to serve as a school director, including:

• Applicants must be citizens of the United States and the State of Washington; 
• Applicants must reside within Tacoma Public Schools boundaries; and
• Applicants must be registered voters.

Board Policy provides that citizens seeking appointment to the Board of Directors must be United States citizens, registered voters, and residents residing within the school district boundaries. Board of Director positions at Tacoma Public schools are at-large positions, meaning Directors represent the entire geographic area of Tacoma Public Schools rather than a specific geographic area.

Please submit your completed application form, cover letter, and resume to the School Board Office no later than 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2026. You may submit your application materials in one of the following ways:  

• Complete the online application form (link below);
• Mail or hand-deliver to (download printable form below):

Attn: School Board Office, Tacoma Public Schools
McKinley Elementary
3702 McKinley Ave.
Tacoma, WA 98404

Apply for TPS School Board Position 2 online

Download printable TPS school board position 2 appliCATION

Applications will be accepted from: Thursday, January 1, 2026

Applications must be received by: Thursday, January 15, 2026

The Board will follow Regulation 1114R regarding the selection process. In summary:

1. The Board will review all completed applications.
2. If needed, the Board may hold an executive session to evaluate candidate qualifications as allowed under the Open Public Meetings Act. Any decision to narrow the list of candidates who will be interviewed will occur by majority vote in an open public meeting.
3. Candidate interviews will be conducted in a meeting open to the public.
4. Appointment will be made by roll call vote in an open public meeting. 
    

Acting on behalf of the people of the community, the school board will fulfill the following functions:

Vision 
The board, with participation by the community, shall envision the future of the school district's educational program and formulate goals, define outcomes and set the course for the school district. This will be done with a commitment to educational excellence and equity for all students.

Creating Conditions for Student and Staff Success
To achieve the vision, the board will establish a structure which reflects local circumstances and creates an environment designed to ensure all students the opportunity to attain their maximum potential through a sound organizational framework. The board’s primary role is to employ a superintendent who is charged with the day-to-day operations of the district. The board develops and approves policies, adopts budgets, establishes expectations for staff and students, and nurtures a climate conducive to continuous improvement.

High Expectations for Student Learning
The board will continuously articulate the belief that all students can learn and that student’s learning can improve regardless of existing circumstances or resources. The board will act as leaders of a vision of shared learning that is supported by individual schools and the community.

Accountability for Student Learning
The board's accountability to the community will ensure a system of assessment of conditions affecting education, and progress towards goals. The public will be kept informed about programs and progress. Staff and board training will be provided to ensure continuous improvement of student achievement.

Advocacy
The board shall serve as education’s key advocate on behalf of students and their schools. The board will work to advance the community's vision for its schools, pursue the district's goals, encourage progress and energize systemic change.

Serving as a school board director requires approximately 40-50+ hours per month.  Board members are expected to represent the District at school and community events, participate in governmental relations, complete required training on Open Public Meeting Act and Open Public Records Act, serve on committees as needed, and other various obligations on behalf of the District.

School Board Meetings

School Board meetings begin at 6:00pm and are currently held at the Professional Development Center (PDC), Building C (6501 N 23rd St Tacoma, WA 98406) while the District’s Central Administration Building (CAB - 601 South 8th Street, Tacoma, 98405) is being renovated.  Business Meetings occur on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, except for once monthly meetings in July/August/December. Study Sessions are the 3rd Thursday of the month, as needed.  Committee of the Whole meetings are the 1^st Thursday of the month, as needed.  Each board member is expected to review the agenda and any study materials distributed prior to the meeting and be prepared to participate in the discussion and decision-making for each agenda item.

Term

The candidate who is selected for appointment will serve on the Board until the next odd-numbered year general election, which will be in November 2027. The candidate may then run for election for the following six-year term.

Under state law (RCW 28A.343.400), a board member is eligible to receive compensation at the rate of fifty dollars ($50) per day, or for a portion of a day, for approved activities, not exceed four thousand eight hundred dollars ($4,800.00) for a fiscal year, plus reasonable expenses incurred for travel, meals and lodging.

The application asks candidates to identify potential conflicts of interest. The District will review submitted materials for potential conflicts and may contact candidates for additional information. 

Applicant names may be posted on the district’s website. Application materials may also be considered public records and subject to disclosure under Washington State’s Public Records Act (RCW 42.56). Certain personally identifiable information (for example, personal contact information) may be redacted in public record request disclosures . 

The appointed director will serve until the next regular school district election in November 2027. Individuals who wish to continue serving beyond the appointment period must run in that election.  

Under RCW 28A.343.360, the appointed director must take an oath or affirmation before beginning service. The completed oath must be filed with the county auditor.

For questions about the application process or to request an accommodation, please contact the School Board Office at (253) 571-1443.