Seattle Schools Board Special Meeting Mar 4, 2026

The Seattle Public Schools Board held a special meeting on March 4, 2026, focusing primarily on the district's budget challenges and alignment of resources to support students while returning to financial stability. The board discussed the structural deficit facing the district, legislative impacts on funding including a $2 million sales tax on temporary staffing services and a $1 million reduction due to changes in bus depreciation schedules. Staff presented detailed enrollment projections, school staffing processes, and proposed budget savings measures, emphasizing efforts to avoid staff layoffs through attrition and reallocation. The board also reviewed potential impacts on specialized programs and schools with unique needs, and discussed the need for transparency in enrollment and budget data. Additionally, the meeting included a conversation on revising academic and non-academic goals and guardrails to better reflect community priorities and improve student outcomes. No specific contract awards or procurement decisions were reported, but the district is preparing an RFP to replace its student assignment system to enhance transparency and public access.