Seattle Schools Board Meeting Mar. 11, 2026

The Seattle Public Schools Board held a meeting on March 11, 2026, focusing extensively on budgetary challenges, student assignment transition plans, and policy amendments related to grants, gifts, donations, and procurement. A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to public testimony, particularly from families and staff advocating for the Cascade Parent Partnership program and Inter Agency programs, emphasizing the need for stable funding and support for vulnerable student populations. The board discussed and voted on the student assignment transition plan for the 2026-2027 school year, approving it with an amendment to allow the superintendent flexibility in implementation and directing further review by the operations committee. Another key procurement-related discussion involved proposed amendments to board policy 6114 (grants, gifts, and donations) and 6220 (procurement). The board voted to retain the current $250,000 threshold for board approval of grants to maintain oversight, while lowering the procurement threshold to $500,000, reflecting concerns about transparency and equity in funding. Additional actions included approval of a new performance-based pathway for high school graduation, authorization of updated background check procedures for the Head Start program, approval of a letter to the congressional delegation on protecting sensitive locations, and approval for the Rainier Beach High School boys basketball team to participate in a national championship. The meeting concluded with plans to continue discussions in committee and at a follow-up meeting due to the packed agenda.