Oversight Committee Meeting: November 12, 2024
Members of our Capital Projects Oversight Committee met in November for their quarterly review of our bond spending and construction progress. The committee welcomed newly appointed member Dave Hawthorne, president and owner of Hawthorne & Co. Certified Public Accountants.
The Oversight Committee is a small group of local industry experts appointed by the superintendent, plus two members are elected by our Capital Facilities Advisory Committee. Together, they represent community interests and ensure transparency as we use voter-approved taxpayer funds to replace or repair aging facilities.
Newest Member is Local Accounting Firm Owner
Dave Hawthorne (top row, second from left) joined his accounting firm in 1981 and acquired it in 1991. His previous experience includes working with the Washington State Department of Revenue as a revenue auditor. Dave has a wide variety of experience in accounting, management and tax services dealing with closely held companies, individuals, estates, trusts, and not-for-profit organizations. Work experience includes auditing, accounting, business advisory and tax services for businesses, and more. He attended school K-12 in Highline, graduated from Highline High School (class of 1975), and has lived and worked in the Highline area since 1962.
Other Oversight Committee members include:
- Rose Clark, former chair, Capital Facilities Advisory Committee; former Burien councilmember and more (pictured on the right, middle row)
- Elizabeth Leavitt, principal for climate response, Jacobs; former senior director of engineering, environment and sustainability at the Port of Seattle. (top row, second from right)
- Stuart Mathews, assistant director of aviation project management, Port of Seattle; mechanical engineer with experience in mechanical systems. (top row, right)
- Erik Ruffing, virtual design & construction manager, Swinerton Builders; elected by CFAC; attended Highline schools K-12 and is a Highline parent. (left, middle row)
- Mika Sundberg, designer, SKL Architects; elected by CFAC; is a Highline parent. (top row, left)
Two Highline School Board members serve as liaisons to the Oversight Committee: Directors Joe Van and Stephanie Tidholm (bottom row, second and third from left).
Meeting Summary
Chief Financial Officer Jackie Bryan (pictured left, bottom row) reviewed progress on the emergency renovation of the Original Beverly Park Site to accommodate Highline Virtual Academy and Innovation Heights Academy after these two schools were displaced by a fire at the Southern Heights Site. The permit to demolish the main building/gym at the Southern Heights Site is expected to be approved before the end of 2024. She said Highline continues to work with the insurance adjuster on the scope and timeline of next steps for the Southern Heights Site.
Our Business Services staff and consultants are preparing for the next sale of bonds, from the 2022 school bond, in the bond market. School bonds are typically sold in several portions, rather than all at once, to match funding with construction costs and the current market rates. School bonds are not available for direct purchase as they are typically packaged by financial consultants with other bonds when sold.
Ellie Daneshnia, executive director of Capital Planning & Construction, (pictured right, bottom row) shared photos and updated committee members on construction progress on bond projects. James Schauss (not pictured), procurement & budgeting manager for Capital Planning and Construction, reviewed a financial report tracking the bond construction projects. All changes shown on the financial report were within budgets for the three major bond construction projects: Evergreen, Tyee and Pacific school replacements.
Jackie and Ellie noted that some funds from the critical needs and capital improvements line item in the bond budget will be directed toward boiler replacements as needed. A review of boiler conditions districtwide will guide this work. A review and rework of the freezer system at Glacier Middle School is underway to resolve performance issues.
Updates on these and other construction projects were provided:
- Evergreen High School — under construction, opening fall 2025
- Tyee High School — under construction, opening fall 2025
- Pacific Middle School — preconstruction & permitting, opening fall 2027
- Transportation Building — preconstruction & permitting, to be completed by fall 2025
- Valley View Early Learning Center Addition — preconstruction & permitting, opening fall 2025
- Sylvester Field/Track, Mini Pitch & Restroom — completed summer/fall 2024
- Memorial Field Synthetic Turf Replacement — completed summer 2024
- Summer Roofing Projects — completed
- Security Intercom Door Cameras — completed spring 2024
- Hilltop ADA Access Improvements — completed fall 2024