Responds to program needs and reduces proposed bond $20 million
The Capital Facilities Advisory Committee (CFAC) approved a small adjustment to its March 30 bond package recommendation after additional review and program feedback.
The amended recommendation was approved with a strong majority through a digital poll, with 21 of 24 CFAC members voting in support by May 13.
This update incorporates two project changes that reduce the recommended bond amount from $615.4 to $595.4 million.
CFAC recommends the Southern Heights project be designed and rebuilt for CHOICE Academy only.
The original recommendation also included two programs that serve students ages 18-21 and are located next to CHOICE: Community Based Services (CBS) and the Realistic Transition Program (RTP).
RTP and CBS students rely heavily on established, community-based learning opportunities that help students build independence. Students use public transportation and light rail to access work-based learning and community experiences. Program staff shared that the current location better supports these opportunities developed at work locations that students learn to access independently using public transportation.
The CHOICE Academy facility at Woodside was constructed in 1958 and has the lowest building condition rating in the district; while RTP and CBS are in a series of portable classrooms built in the 2000s. The future needs of these two programs will remain part of long-term planning.
Based on this additional feedback and review, district staff recommended to CFAC that RTP and CBS not be relocated to Southern Heights. As a result, rebuilding Southern Heights only for CHOICE Academy reduces this project budget by $10 million (from $40 million to $30 million in bond dollars).
CFAC recommends the districtwide Critical Needs budget in the recommended bond package to be set at $40 million, rather than $50 million.
This amendment is based on additional calculations by Highline’s Capital Planning & Construction team. This $10 million reduction was intended to sharpen the bond budget by looking for opportunities to reduce less urgent maintenance costs. This effort did not reduce the amounts specified for critical needs funding at Big Picture, Hilltop Elementary and Valley Early Learning Center until long-term facilities solutions can be funded.
This effort reduces the recommended package below $600 million, while still funding safe, modern learning facilities for four schools (Cascade, Chinook, CHOICE and Sylvester), initial designs for Hilltop and Valley View, and significantly more funding for districtwide critical needs and required building system replacements in many of our elementary schools (built 20-25 years ago), than in the 2016 or 2022 bond packages.
More Information
- Bonds and Levies website: Read more details about the bond package recommended by CFAC
- Capital Facilities Advisory Committee website: Read CFAC meeting summaries and news updates.