04/29/2026
Tonight NTEA showed up in force. I counted over 70 folks in red, and almost two dozen speakers against the RIFs. We heard commentary from community and NTEA members alike about the importance of mental health specialists: addressing everything from self harm, youth su***de, parent deaths, access to social media, medical access, peer based harassment and bullying, abuse and neglect, homelessness, substance abuse, to overextended teachers and parents, while urging the board to consider carefully the impacts of proposed cuts on a mental health program that Board members have championed and editorialized on in the past. A para spoke to learning how to manage the mental health of students from the mental health specialist at her school. Community spoke to priorities regarding administrative spending, diversity, equity and inclusion, and the dangers of using outside contractors to provide services that would otherwise be provided in house with staff who are part of the school community. Many referred to Article 28 Section 1 B of our Collective Bargaining Agreement: "Priority will be given to programs and services in those areas which relate to instruction, health, and safety of students."
We also heard about the essential services provided by preschool and early learning programs, whose cuts deeply impact some of our youngest and most vulnerable students. There was also passionate commentary about the role of physical therapists, helping students navigate the challenges of disabilities in the classroom and beyond, and the often unseen and unpaid roles RIFd staff play leading clubs and mentoring students in extra curricular activities.
Board member Sarah Tracy spoke with compassion and regret about the cuts. Board Member Gretchen Maliska attempted to scold the room for "the focus on the negative" which recieved a strong negative reaction from the crowd. Superintendent Troy Oliver spoke to the rationale for the cuts and a process to negotiate an MOU for an outside contractor to provide services. New Board member Jeff Line asked if it was in order to reconsider the RIF motion for further discussion, the motion passed unanimously to applause.
Later in the meeting, the financial report indicated that most trends were on track with previous years, with operating (MSOC) costs around 1.5% above where we should be this time of year (representing about 5 million dollars). Drops in enrollment occurred at brick and mortar, with increases at Running Start, SVA, and Ignite beyond what the district predicted, with an overall drop of about 85 student FTE. Board member Line asked for more granular data related to student enrollment.
Thank you NTEA, for demonstrating that we can make a difference when we unite on behalf of our students. While we don't know what decisions the board and the district will ultimately come to, we know that showing up and demonstrating our values is the kind of accountability that democracy is all about. Maliska later apologized for her comments and Michelle Gibson and Espie Badillo-Diiorio spoke to the importance of hearing community voices on challenging decisions.
Katie Agren
WEAPAC Chair, NTEA
