Tacoma Public Schools

I would be remiss if I didn't take this opportunity to also invite all of you and all of our community to this year's biennial Tea Town event, taking place Friday, October 30th from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the Tacoma Dome.

This is a great opportunity to join 4,000 community members, including over 2,500 students, and engage with city services to hear how they impact all of the Tacoma 2035 goals, while also visiting with the CoorsMoh Construction and Tacoma Public Schools Trades and Career Fair, featuring over 100 skilled trade employers.

As I close out TVE's portion of today's presentation, collectively we wanted to take a moment and highlight one of the ways that TVE and CED have partnered this biennium to deliver the council objectives of supporting a creative artistic ecosystem, providing spaces that welcome all cultures, abilities, and communities, and celebrating Tacoma's unique history across cultures and communities.

As part of ongoing capital improvements at the Dome, TVE, in partnership with the Puyallup Tribe of Indians and in consultation with the City of Tacoma's Arts and Cultural Vitality Division, undertook a public art project with the goal of creating highly visible, impactful artwork that serves as a welcoming landmark, honoring and amplifying the cultural presence and stories of the Puyallup Tribe.

Our second disparity study, which was completed in 2024, shows that there is still an equity gap in our contracting.

We will continue to strengthen inclusive procurement practices through the city's EIC program and the newly s- signed onto Community Investment Commitment Act.

Deepening our partnership with Parks Tacoma and Tacoma Public Schools will expand access to small minority women-owned businesses and reinforces Tacoma's commitment to inclusive local business growth.

In this biennium alone, $12.6 million has gone to OWMBE certified businesses.

Hello.

Tacoma Public Schools Program Manager and Career and College Readiness, and my soon-to-be friend on LinkedIn.

[laughs]

[laughs] Yes.

Exactly.

And it's just all under one roof together.

So when we think about Korzmo Construction and Tacoma Public Schools, um, coming together, um, how is this, um, event different from a traditional career or job fair?

Mm-hmm.

And whereas the City of Tacoma recognizes the importance of pedestrian and bicycle safety, and is planning and constructing improvements to school routes across the city following the approved Safe Routes to School action plan.

And whereas the city, in partnership with Tacoma Public Schools' staff and families, published suggested walking route maps for every elementary school, and will continue working towards building community safety and solidarity.

Now therefore, I, Anders Ibsen, Mayor of the City of Tacoma, do hereby proclaim October 2026 as Walk and Roll to School Month in the City of Tacoma, and invite our community to celebrate together as we make healthy choices and ensure we have safe routes to schools in every community.

Please say a few words.

Boy, that's a title you don't mess with.

Chief of Schools for Tacoma Public Schools.

Adam, welcome.

Thank you.