Frequently Asked Questions

Highline voters will consider two measures on the November 3, 2026, ballot: 

• Proposition 1: A $595.4 million School Construction Bond 
• Proposition 2: A four-year, $48 million Capital Technology Levy 

The school construction bond would replace aging neighborhood schools, improve safety and accessibility, and update learning spaces to support current 21st-century learning. The technology levy would resume local funding for technology systems used for instruction, communication, cybersecurity, school operations and student services. 

The bond would fund major, long-term school construction and building projects. This includes replacing or renovating aging schools, completing critical upgrades, improving accessibility, and upgrading major building systems. 

The technology levy would provide $12 million per year for four years. The levy resumes funding for technology, infrastructure, cybersecurity, software and technical support.  

The bond package includes: 

• Replace Sylvester and Cascade middle schools  
• Complete a partial rebuild and major renovation at Chinook Middle School  
• Rebuild the Southern Heights site to serve CHOICE Academy 
• Provide funding to design a new Hilltop Elementary and Valley View Early Learning Center 
• Address critical needs such as roof replacements and new HVAC systems at schools districtwide  

Yes, the school construction bond includes $40 million to fund school improvement projects districtwide.  The bond would replace aging building systems, complete critical facility upgrades, so existing schools continue serving students and the community for years to come. 

• Replace aging roofs, heating and ventilation systems, plumbing, electrical systems and fire alarms  
• Complete critical core building systems improvements across Highline 
• Improve accessibility and safety at schools  

Many Highline school buildings are more than 60 years old. As buildings age, roofs, heating and ventilation, plumbing, electrical systems, fire alarms, and other systems become less reliable and more difficult to maintain. 

Some older campuses also have accessibility challenges, multiple separate buildings, limited visibility, and layouts that make it difficult to create a single, controlled entrance. 

Highline studied rebuilding Cascade at its current location and at the nearby Salmon Creek property, which the district already owns. 

The Salmon Creek site provides more usable space, allows students to remain at the current Cascade campus during construction, and provides room for a flexible school layout and practice field. Building at Salmon Creek would cost approximately $44 million less than rebuilding on the current site. 

The existing Cascade property has limited buildable space, wetland setbacks, an underground sewer easement, and construction access challenges, making the cost of construction a lot more money.  

Highline's technology levy would resume local funding for the technology students, staff and schools use every day. 

• Cybersecurity protections and monitoring 
• Student, staff and financial data security 
• School communication and information systems 
• Technology that supports transportation, safety and daily school operations 
• Classroom technology and instructional software  
• Reliable internet and wireless networks  
• Technology infrastructure that supports teaching and learning  
• Student and staff devices 
• Technology services, infrastructure and support staff 
• Major repair, preventative maintenance and replacement of aging technology 
• Software, licensing and system upgrades 
• Technology systems used for communication, cybersecurity and school operations 

No. Student and staff devices are one part of the proposed levy. The technology levy covers a much broader technology system. 

If approved, we anticipate using $2.5 million of the $12 million annual levy on student devices. See a full breakdown of funding. 

Schools rely on secure networks, cybersecurity, internet access, instructional software, data backup, family communication systems, transportation technology, emergency communication, and technical support. Much of this technology works behind the scenes to keep schools connected, secure, and operating reliably. 

State funding does not fully cover major school construction, building renovations, critical repairs, or the technology systems schools use every day. 

Like school districts across Washington, Highline relies on voter-approved bonds and levies to address major facility needs and supplement state funding for technology, cybersecurity, infrastructure, software, and support. 

The bond proposal was developed through a two-year planning process led by the community-based Capital Facilities Advisory Committee. 

From fall 2024 through spring 2026, the committee reviewed building conditions, safety, enrollment, project costs, equity, student impact, and tax projections. Members visited schools, studied different options for aging campuses, and considered community feedback. 

The committee reached consensus on a recommendation based on health, safety, security, building condition, infrastructure needs, equity, and student impact. 

The current total local school tax rate is $4.47 per $1,000 of assessed property value. 

If both measures are approved, the total local school tax rate is projected to be $4.89 per $1,000. That is a projected difference of 42 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. 

For a home assessed at $500,000, the projected difference would be approximately: 

• $210 per year 
• $17.50 per month 

Actual tax rates may vary based on assessed property values and the total value of taxable property within the district. 

Some low-income senior citizens and people with disabilities may qualify for property tax exemptions through King County. 

The capital technology levy requires a simple majority, or more than 50 percent of votes cast, to pass. 

Under Washington law, the school construction bond requires approval from at least 60 percent of voters. 

Ballots are scheduled to be mailed in October and must be returned by Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Additional voting and ballot information is available through King County Elections.