📢Highline Announces Central Office Reductions
We will reduce our budget by $8 million for the 2026-27 school year due to continued underfunding and rising costs. This week, Superintendent Ivan Duran announced the elimination of 31.5 central office positions, including unfilled vacancies and roles affected by layoffs or reassignments.
🔨Bond Planning ThoughtExchange
Highline’s community-led Capital Facilities Advisory Committee (CFAC) is developing a recommendation for a November school construction bond. "We want this recommendation to reflect the priorities of the community,” said CFAC Co-chair Omaha Sternberg. Students, staff, families and community members are invited to participate. Share how you would prioritize key bond planning factors. The bond planning ThoughtExchange closes at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, March 1.
💼 Work in Schools - Highline Job Fair Tomorrow
Are you interested in working at Highline Public Schools? Don’t miss the in-person job fair on Saturday, February 21, from noon to 3:00 p.m. at Tyee High School. While positions are being reduced at the district level, we continue to hire for school level positions. Read more and RSVP.
📲How to Let Us Know Why Your Child Is Absent
When your child is absent, you’ll get a notification letting you know. Elementary notifications are sent at 11:00 a.m., and secondary notifications are sent at 4:30 p.m. The message includes a link to submit an attendance note and share the reason for the absence so the school can excuse it. Here is a three-step how-to guide.
🔔Stay Informed
Winter weather may force a change in the normal school schedule, even for students who attend virtual programs. We want you to be prepared and know where to get information. Be sure your contact information is up to date in our records. If you need to make changes, please contact your students’ schools.
🎙️ Listen Now: The Promise Podcast
Former Highline Superintendent Susan Enfield joins Dr. Duran on the latest episode of The Promise Podcast. They reflect on the Promise, leadership transitions, and the culture of gratitude that continues across Highline. Listen to hear why knowing students by name, strength, and need remains at the heart of our work.
📈 Stories of Growth Across Highline
Highline students are growing as readers, problem-solvers, collaborators and leaders. The 2024-25 annual report shows what that growth looks like in real classrooms, and how it happens when students are known by name, strength and need. Explore these stories in our 2024–25 Annual Report.
🏫 Puget Sound Skills Center Open House
Visit Puget Sound Skills Center on February 26 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. for an open house! Learn more about the programs and other pathways available to high school students. Applications for the 2026-27 school year are now open, and staff will be there to help you apply.
🐉 Lunar New Year, Together
Across Highline, students, families, and staff celebrated Lunar New Year. At Cascade Middle School, families and staff gathered to celebrate Tết with traditional foods and games. On February 11, Raisbeck Aviation High School students performed a dragon dance at the School Board meeting. Thank you to the staff and volunteers who helped make these moments possible.
📅 School Board Meeting Schedule
You’re welcome to join the Highline School Board and superintendent at a school board meeting. All school board meetings are held at the Central Office, 15675 Ambaum Boulevard SW in Burien, typically every other Wednesday, from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. The next meeting will be held on March 4. All regular board business meetings, work sessions and public hearings are public, and everyone is encouraged to attend.
🍝 What’s Cooking Next Week for School Meals
School meals are available to all students at no cost this school year. On Thursday, elementary students will enjoy Somali Spaghetti or Max Cheese Breadsticks – yum! Check out the interactive menu platform My School Menus where you can view nutrition details, check for allergens and more.