Longtime Tacoma Public Schools board director steps down. Here’s why
Enrique Leon, who has served on the Tacoma Public Schools board since 2018, stepped down at the end of December to give more attention to his “family and professional obligations.”
The school board appointed Leon in 2018 to fill a vacancy on the board, and he ran to maintain his seat in the November 2019 general election. He ran for re-election in November 2021 and won with 66% of the vote, according to the county. He was in the midst of a six-year term when he stepped down.
In a news release, Leon described his decision to step down as “difficult”.
“However, my family and professional obligations now require more attention from me than I can give while also doing justice to my school board seat,” he said in the release. “The Board has initiated many positive policies during my time and I expect them to continue to implement further improvements.”
Leon is a physician at MultiCare and a clinical instructor at the University of Washington School of Medicine, according to the district’s website. His departure comes during a difficult time for the district, which has contended with million-dollar budget deficits the last few years. The district’s board of directors, especially in the most recent budget cycle, often served as the target of criticism from families and staff who were upset about the staffing cuts the district implemented to mitigate the deficit.
The board is soliciting applications to appoint a candidate to hold Leon’s position until the next odd-numbered year general election, which would be November 2027. The candidate the board appoints must run in that election to retain the seat. The board will accept applications until 4 p.m. on Jan. 15, and applicants must be U.S. citizens, reside within the district’s boundaries and be registered voters, according to the district.
Tacoma Public Schools board members can receive up to $4,800 a year in compensation.
This story was originally published January 9, 2026 at 5:15 AM.
