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Highline School District No. 401

Proposition No. 1
Bonds to Replace and Rebuild Deteriorating Schools and Improve Safety

The Board of Directors of Highline School District No. 401 adopted Resolution No. 11-26, concerning neighborhood school improvements and safety upgrades. This proposition would authorize the District to: replace or rebuild four deteriorating schools (Cascade, Chinook, Sylvester, CHOICE Academy), including new career/technical learning spaces, secure entrances, security camera upgrades; make critical districtwide core building system upgrades, including heating, roofing, electrical, plumbing; implement districtwide health, security, fire system and earthquake safety upgrades; issue $595,400,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within 21 years; and levy annual excess property taxes to repay the bonds, all as provided in Resolution No. 11-26. Should this proposition be:

Approved

Rejected


Proposition 1 authorizes school construction bonds to replace and rebuild deteriorating schools and make districtwide safety and accessibility improvements and upgrades. Proposition 1 will improve student, staff and community safety, security and accessibility, enhance student learning environments, improve and expand educational opportunities, and provide necessary student educational facilities (including career/technical learning spaces).

The bonds will allow Highline Public Schools to: (1) address critical needs districtwide, including core building system upgrades and site improvements (plumbing, hot water systems, HVAC, electrical, roofing, security, fire systems and earthquake safety upgrades); (2) construct a new school to replace Sylvester Middle School; (3) construct a new school to replace Cascade Middle School; (4) partially rebuild and modernize Chinook Middle School (replacing the oldest, most outdated buildings, facilities and infrastructure with new construction; renovating and updating existing usable buildings; and replacing portables with permanent classrooms); (5) rebuild and modernize the former Southern Heights Elementary School site as a new facility for CHOICE Academy; and (6) develop design plans for construction, redevelopment or replacement of Valley View Early Learning Center and Hilltop Elementary School. More information is available at highlineschools.org/bondandlevy.

The $595,400,000 of general obligation bonds will be repaid from annual excess property taxes sufficient to pay bond debt service over a maximum term of 21 years. Exemptions from taxes may be available to certain homeowners. For more information, contact the King County Department of Assessments, 206-296-3920.

 

Highline students deserve schools that are safe, healthy, and equipped for today’s learning. Vote yes on Prop. 1 to rebuild aging schools, address critical repairs, and make schools ADA accessible and more secure from safety threats.


This bond will provide all middle school students in our community with secure, modern classrooms. It would replace Cascade and Sylvester middle schools, rebuild Chinook Middle School, and rebuild Southern Heights for CHOICE Academy. It ensures an equal middle school educational environment for students in every Highline neighborhood.


Voting Yes protects our community’s investments in public facilities. As roofs, heating, plumbing, and electrical systems age, repairs become more costly, and facilities failures disrupt student learning. The bond is a practical investment that ensures safe, reliable facilities for students and our community for decades to come.  


Local bonds are the only way to fund school construction and repairs. The state doesn’t provide this funding. Highline has a decades-long track record of completing projects on time and on budget. Quality schools strengthen neighborhoods and make communities safer. Please join parents, educators, neighbors and community leaders in voting yes on Prop. 1 so all Highline students can learn in safe, modern schools.

Statement submitted by: Tina Orwall, Dan Satterberg, Sili Savusa, www.yesforHighline.org

Vote No for Now on Highline’s record-breaking $595.4 million bond proposal. If passed, taxpayers will have approved more than $1.4 billion in construction debt in just ten years. Meanwhile, Highline spends more than $25,000 per student annually, $3,000 more than the state average. Yet 67% of students test below grade level in reading, and 76% fail math and science grade level standards.

Even at newly rebuilt schools, state data shows worsening attendance and declining academic performance. New buildings may look impressive, but bricks and mortar cannot fix failing academics.

The district wants to rebuild three middle schools at once. Why not begin with two and return later for the third? A smaller bond would improve schools while keeping costs more manageable. With the cost of living climbing rapidly, families cannot afford this unnecessary burden. 

Students deserve safe schools and strong academics. Taxpayers deserve responsible spending, transparency, and accountability. Highline has ignored community concerns and failed to earn our trust. Why should we trust the district with a bond this large? Send Highline back to the drawing board. Demand a smaller, smarter bond that puts students first and gives taxpayers a fair deal. Vote No for Now.

Statement submitted by: Mike Bishoff, Kirsten Cooper, Katie Paulson, BetterPlanforHighline.com

Students attending Highline’s newly built schools have higher attendance and engagement. All students deserve safe, modern schools. We can’t afford to put off replacing aging, outdated schools while construction costs escalate, costing taxpayers much more later. Prop. 1 was shaped by a community-led advisory committee, recommending a practical plan focused on critical needs and responsible stewardship of tax dollars. Highline has earned our trust by delivering new schools on time, on budget. Please vote Yes!

Statement submitted by: Tina Orwall, Dan Satterberg, Sili Savusa, www.yesforHighline.org

Safe & equitable schools shouldn’t require a $595.4M price tag. Real equity means safe facilities & academic progress, but even at new facilities, academics are falling. Massive construction debt isn't a practical or acceptable substitute for classroom learning.

Asking taxpayers for $161.3M for Chinook’s partial remodel - delayed until 2031- is not reasonable when full rebuilds at Sylvester ($180.3M) & Cascade ($172.1M) cost roughly the same. Demand smarter, more responsible planning: Vote No for Now!   

Statement submitted by: Mike Bishoff, Kirsten Cooper, Katie Paulson, BetterPlanforHighline.com

60% majority and minimum turnout of 40% of voters casting ballots in last general election (Washington Constitution, art. VII, sec. 2(b))
 

For questions about this measure, contact: Andrew Burgess, Controller, (206) 631-3201, andrew.burgess@highlineschools.org

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