Families, community members, and staff are encouraged to attend upcoming community meetings about Highline Public Schools’ proposed levy and bond measures on the Feb. 10 ballot.

Renewal of an Educational Programs and Operations Levy would pay for basics such as teachers, books, buses and other essentials not fully funded by the state.

The bond would replace the district’s two oldest schools, build new schools to accommodate growing enrollment and lower class sizes, and make critical repairs and technology upgrades district-wide.

For details on the meetings, visit http://highlineschools.org/communitymeetings

Meeting participants will:

  • Learn the facts about the proposed levy and bond measures.
  • Learn how the bond proposal was modified based on community input.
  • Have the opportunity to share concerns and have questions answered.

Community Meetings are schedule for:

  • Wednesday, January 14
    6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
    Highline High School cafeteria
    225 South 152nd Street, Burien
  • Thursday, January 15 (primary focus: Des Moines Elementary replacement project)
    6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
    Des Moines Elementary School cafeteria
    22001 9th Avenue, Des Moines
  • Tuesday, January 20 (primary focus: new middle school at Glacier site)
    6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
    Cedarhurst Elementary School
    611 South 132nd Street, Burien
  • Wednesday, January 21 (primary focus: new middle school at Manhattan site)
    5:00 – 6:00 p.m.
    North Hill Elementary School
    19835 8th Avenue South, Seattle

Community Town Hall
The community is also invited to a Community Town Hall. Participants will join Superintendent Susan Enfield and School Board members for an open public dialog about district finances and the bond and levy measures on the February ballot. Attendees are invited to come with their questions and concerns, so the district may respond.

  • Thursday, January 22
    6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
    Highline High School library
    225 South 152nd Street, Burien

Spanish interpreters will be available at all events.
To learn more, visit www.highlineschools.org/levy and www.highlineschools.org/bond.

Since 2007, The B-Town Blog is Burien’s multiple award-winning hyperlocal news/events website dedicated to independent journalism.

24 replies on “Highline Public Schools hosting community meetings about levy, bond”

  1. Excuse me for asking but why are these meetings being referred to as Town Hall Meetings when it is obvious that the school districts decisions has already been made?
    Why would I want to attend a meeting where anything that I have to say or suggest will not be considered or implemented?
    I for one will not be in attendance if these meetings would have taken place prior to the decisions already being made I would have been present to speak.

    1. The purpose of the January 22 Town Hall and the Telephone Town Hall is to address concerns and questions that have been brought up on this blog and other forums. There has been a significant amount of misinformation circulated in the community regarding district finances and other issues, and the school board and superintendent would like the opportunity to provide the facts and answer questions.
      Input on the content of the bond package was gathered before the school board decided to put the bond on the February ballot. We chose to gather feedback through a community-wide survey, rather than meetings, because of the election was not final until the day before Thanksgiving. (Our experience is that community meetings are very poorly attended during the holiday period.) The survey showed strong support for all of the projects in the bond.
      The purpose of the bond/levy-related community meetings is to inform community members about the measures and to answer their questions.

  2. It’s just another forum for the district to campaign. I no longer believe this administration listens to the residents of this district. I don’t need to hear some pretentious, overpaid administrator justify this bloated bond measure and explain to me why overextending the Highline School District taxpayers is a good thing for the community, my property values, or my children. Frankly the only interesting thing about going to one of these meetings would be to hear how the district justifies asking for a levy increase at the same time the superintendent got a huge raise and the number of administrators has ballooned in the past couple of years.

  3. Force feeding a bad idea, is a bad idea.
    LET IT GO, LET IT GO, LET IT GO!
    VOTE NO, VOTE NO, VOTE NO

  4. Most of us don’t have the time nor skills to manage, let alone micromanage the necessary expenditures we entrust to elected officials and those they hire to carry out the projects,
    So why it would not be prudent to get more information about the plans for which they are responsible?
    What seems to be forgotten is that while the “yes” votes for the Bonds did not reach the 60% necessary, nevertheless over 50% voted in favor. Then some adjustments were made that would appeal to that small minority whose objections seem to be mostly driven by personal dislike of both elected School Board members and those they have hired. What about those of us who just want great schools for our children?
    Get the facts from those whose jobs depend on implementing the programs!

    1. Get the facts regarding what it would really cost to replace some schools versus remodeling. Then you will have the truth. The HSDB claims to have done this but it is not an unbiased study. Over $150 milliion to replace Highline High School is absurd. We need more oversight on our hard earned money and people in place who really care about the citizens as well as their own salaries.
      Getting bids and paring down the wish list to a realistic number is most important. Just because the reasonable is being expected and hoped for, doesn’t mean it is important to the HSDB!

  5. Where will Rainier Prep Charter School be located? It would be expected that Rainier Prep would request a facility from Highline School District. If HSD doesn’t have enough space for our students, it would be an outrage if HSD approves use of one of our schools for the purpose of a charter school. The members of the schools board have stated that they would not approve such use. However, things are not always as they seem. If there is a facility available for a charter school, then it should be used for HSD students. I hope the HSD school board members are more savvy than to make such an approval. There are enough problems surrounding how this district is being managed.

  6. Have been reading up on The McCleary vs The State of Washington case, very interesting I would recommend everyone do the same.

  7. The information from the school district regarding the cost of the bond – it is based on a home value of $201,000. This is not the average home value. It is a good number to use because the increase doesn’t “seem” so large. Please give information to the community using the actual “average” home value. There is so much projection about truth in the information. Please clear up this question. The increase is higher than what has been published.

  8. The average value of a house in the Highline School district is approximately $290,000. The additional school property tax is $1.09 if this ridiculous bond passes. That means that the additional tax will be $316 per year for a home valued at $290,000.. Do the Math….mulityply $1.09 times the assessed value of your home for each $1,000 valuation and you will get your additional school property tax on top of what else you are paying.
    And this is just the beginning……….

    1. And that doesn’t take into account the increase in the levy that the district is asking for.

        1. I see the Levy as a 30% increase since this is a 3 year Levy. In 2018 we will be paying appox. Levy rate of $4.55 per $1,000 assessed value.

      1. That is not fixed. Regardless if this bond passes or does not pass our school bond taxes go up in 2016 and again in 2017. Ask the school district. To supply you with Tax Rate Over Time table.

        1. Yes, I understand that. I was speaking of the $1.09 per $1,000 rate. I also understand it is more than some people can afford. I also feel the district has been terrible at explaining the needs and the costs. I do not blame those that want clarification.

          1. Everyone should look at our new Levy carefully as well. Yes this is just a renewal, but instead of having a four year Levy, this one is a three year. Our four year Levy was 46 million the first two years, then went to 47 million in 2014 and is 49 million 2015. The Levy renewal will be 55.5 million in 2016, 60.8 million 2017 and 64.7 million 2018. So even though the overall amount is less we are paying more since it is only three years. I am showing over 22% increase, I feel that this is more than a slight increase. My concerns are if we except this, is this the end of four year Levys? Would we only see three and two year Levys from now on? We already know there will always be an increase. You will not find the answers to my questions in the Q & A section on the Highline schools website.

          2. Thank you for sharing this information. I haven’t seen this dramatic increase highlighted in any of the district communication. It’s very bold to ask for such a large levy increase at the same time as a new bond, but I suppose the district is banking on the fact that people ‘vote for kids’ as an effective campaign strategy. I want to know how much my taxes will REALLY go up if all this passes- and what my dollars will really be spent on. There’s a lot of waste in this district. A lot. I’m not sure I agree with such a large levy increase.

    2. Highline Mom, Yes your math is correct, but finish: Assessed value $290,000 X $1.09 = $316.00 divide it by 12 months = $26.50 more per month. Or $316.00/365 days = less than a penny a day.
      And don’t forget, they trimmed the amount of Bond so instead of $1.12 per $1,000 it is now $1.09. That is a HUGE savings of 3 cents per $1,000 or $8.70 per year.
      What everyone needs to remember is that Bond amount is divided among all the property owners. The Levy is a renewal of what is already included in our property taxes. Maybe an increase of a few pennies.
      Bond and Levy measures are nothing new. It has always been the way to fund schools. I suggest the nay sayers go to Olympia and fight for better funding of our schools.

  9. wow so many people with the first name Highline I wonder if there all related
    Highline resident
    Highline Mom
    Highline voter
    Highline Parent
    all posting similar comments lets see usually when there is some voting thing going on what happens on here we find out that the person posting all the similar comments are usually the same single person just using a bunch of random names to try to get their point across (letters to the editor,bickering with people that might disagree) hmm seems like the same pile of SH** going on again (annexxsation,lakeburien,lowincome) and now add the school levy or bond yippy!

  10. The current leadership of HSD does not deserve the public’s money. As a long time teacher in Highline I cannot in good conscious ask the people of this district to vote in favor of this bond, but please do support the levy.

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