Measures would address aging schools and maintain technology used for learning, safety and school operations
Highline voters will consider a school construction bond and capital technology levy on the November 3, 2026, ballot. The measures would fund school facility and technology needs for students across Highline Public Schools.
The $595.4 million school construction bond would replace aging neighborhood schools, improve safety and accessibility, address critical building needs and create learning spaces that support current instruction and college and career preparation.
The four-year, $48 million capital technology levy would resume local funding for technology used for instruction, communication, cybersecurity, student services and daily school operations.
“These measures address two different but connected needs for Highline Public Schools students,” said Superintendent Ivan Duran. “The bond would address aging school buildings and learning spaces, while the technology levy would support the secure and reliable systems students, staff and schools rely on every day.”
The Highline School Board voted unanimously on July 1 to place both measures on the November 3 ballot.
What the School Construction Bond Would Fund
Many Highline school buildings are more than 60 years old. They have aging building systems, accessibility challenges and learning spaces that were not designed for current programs and instruction.
If approved by voters, the bond would:
- Replace Sylvester and Cascade middle schools. Cascade would be rebuilt at the nearby Salmon Creek site.
- Complete a partial rebuild and major renovation at Chinook Middle School.
- Rebuild the Southern Heights site to serve CHOICE Academy.
- Provide funding for design work and critical maintenance at Hilltop Elementary School and Valley View Early Learning Center.
- Address critical needs at Big Picture School and schools districtwide, including aging roofs, heating and ventilation systems, plumbing, electrical systems, fire alarms and accessibility improvements.
The middle school projects would also create classrooms and flexible learning spaces for career and technical education, science, technology, engineering and math, hands-on learning and programs connected to college and career pathways.
What the Capital Technology Levy Would Fund
Technology supports student learning, communication with families, cybersecurity, transportation and the systems schools use to operate each day. State funding does not fully cover school technology costs.
If approved by voters, the levy would resume local funding for:
- Cybersecurity protections, monitoring and data security.
- Reliable internet, wireless networks and technology infrastructure.
- Technology support staff, maintenance, software licensing and system upgrades.
- Systems used for family communication, transportation, safety, student services and daily school operations.
- Student and staff devices, classroom technology and instructional software.
- Capital improvements to school buildings and sites, including plumbing, electrical, paving and ADA accessibility upgrades.
The levy would collect $12 million annually for four years, from 2027 through 2030, for a total of $48 million.
Cost Information
If both measures are approved by voters, the total local school tax rate is projected to be $4.89 per $1,000. For a home assessed at $500,000, the projected cost for Highline schools would be $210 per year, or $17.50 per month. The current total local school tax rate is $4.47 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
More Information
Learn more about the Highline bond and technology levy on our bond and levy web section.