TACOMA, Wash. — Summer break is just weeks away for Tacoma’s students, but some are already concerned about the fall.
Tacoma Public Schools (TPS) recently announced that starting next school year, all four of its career guidance specialists will be moved into different roles.
TPS said that no one in the current specialist role will be laid off, just moved into a different role within the school district. The district also emphasized that every school will continue to have dedicated counselors.
Educators say the work these specialists do is necessary when it comes to helping students explore all of their options after graduating high school.
“There are many students who don’t want to go to college, who don’t need to go to college,” explains Tacoma Education Association President Penny Cramer. “They want to go to an apprenticeship, they have some kind of trade they are pursuing, and so they have to have those options presented to them as well, and many of the students are not aware of those without these staff members.”
In a statement, TPS cites budget issues as the reason behind its decision.
Earlier this year, the district announced a forecasted $15 million shortfall for the current school year, pointing to rising costs and lower enrollment.
However, Cramer said these cuts are the latest example of financial mismanagement and misplaced priorities by district leaders.
“In our top seven positions in TPS, there’s over $2 million in salaries,” Cramer said. “It was suggested that some of our highly paid administrators take a furlough day. One or two furlough days from one or two of those very well-paid administrators will more than cover the costs of these entire positions.”
In a statement, TPS said school teams will continue to provide students with career guidance and support.
However, the Tacoma Education Association said the results the specialists bring in can’t be easily replaced.
“These are four people who work full-time, more than full-time. Who’s going to do that work?” she said. “I know one of them brought in over a million dollars, maybe two million dollars for students in scholarships.”
Last week, current and former students spoke directly to the school board during its biweekly meeting about how these specialists help set them up for success.
They called on the school district to reconsider, because these specialists are needed now more than ever.
“My family is not paying anything for my college education,” said Jose Martinez Perez Jr. “Guidance and career specialists are needed … for it to be taken away is like stripping a student of their opportunities, and that is something I cannot stand for.”
Meanwhile, Cramer warns that if the district continues taking this approach, it could force teachers out of the school district.
“A lot of these displacements that are happening right now are leading to resignations. I’ve already seen two come through,” she said. “If there are other jobs out there, people are applying for them. Our educators are losing resources. That means we are going to lose the educators.”