Proposed Measure Would Continue Local Funding
At its June 18 meeting, the Highline School Board was introduced to a resolution to place an educational programs and operation levy on the November 2025 ballot. This levy would renew local funding for educational programs, services and staff—filling the gap between what the state provides and what’s needed to support all Highline students.
"The state continues to underfund essential services for students, and this levy fills the gap between what the state provides and what our students need,” said Chief Financial Officer Jackie Bryan.
What the Levy Would Fund
The levy fills the gap between what the state provides and what is needed to support all Highline students. If approved, it would fund:
- Support for All Learners: Staff and resources that help meet the diverse learning needs of students, including those who need additional support to succeed in general education classrooms.
- College and Career Readiness: Staff and programs that support students in exploring post-secondary options, including career fairs, job shadowing, apprenticeships, and college planning.
- Student Well-Being: Counselors, mental health staff, and social workers who provide support for students’ mental and emotional health.
- Staffing and Compensation: Competitive wages for teachers, paraeducators and support staff.
- Operational Costs: Operating costs such as materials, supplies, utilities, insurance and facility maintenance.
- Technology and Cybersecurity: Classroom technology, software, and cybersecurity systems to support digital learning and protect school data.
Cost Information
This is not a new tax. It renews an expiring local levy, and tax rates are expected to remain stable over the four-year period.
The proposed tax rate is $2.07 per $1,000 of assessed property value starting in 2027. The rate is expected to increase slightly over time, reaching $2.11 per $1,000 by 2030 to keep pace with inflation.
The levy makes up about 15% of Highline’s current annual budget and helps fund critical needs that are not fully supported by the state or federal government.
If approved, the levy would generate approximately $74.5 million in 2027, $80.4 million in 2028, $86.2 million in 2029, and $92.8 million in 2030—totaling $333.9 million over four years.
The proposed levy amounts are based on high enrollment projections throughout the 2027-30 school years.
“We use high projections to ensure we are authorized to collect enough funding to serve all potential students who may enroll,” said Chief Financial Officer Jackie Bryan. “In recent years, our actual enrollment has been closer to the medium projection, which means we often collect less than the maximum approved.”
Actual collections from 2027 to 2030 will depend on how many students are enrolled each year.
Next Steps
The school board is expected to take action on the levy resolution at its next meeting on Wednesday, July 2 board meeting at 12:00 p.m. Staff, families, and community members are welcome to attend and may sign up to make public comments.