Bond Projects On Time, Within Budget
November 2016 Highline school bond projects are wrapping up within budget and on time, despite unusual challenges. A committee of Highline residents meets quarterly to review the district’s progress on the school bond and how capital funds are being spent.
"Highline School District is being a wise steward of our tax dollars and delivering our capital projects on time and within budget."
—Rose Clark, Capital Projects Oversight Committee Member
“We need to share this positive story with every member of the Highline community—Highline School District is being a wise steward of our tax dollars and delivering our capital projects on time and within budget,” says Rose Clark, Capital Projects Oversight Committee member.
“I’m very pleased with the new school buildings that will be modern, safe learning environments. The progress accomplished, even during the COVID pandemic, plus the successful effort to refund bonds, which saved taxpayers more than a million dollars, are very commendable.”
The committee met with capital projects staff via Zoom on January 11 to hear the latest construction updates and go over financial reports. School Board Vice President Joe Van and Superintendent Susan Enfield were also present. Here is a summary of the information:
2016 School Bond Status Report
- On time to date
- Within budget
Highline High School
- Approximately 70% complete
- Opening Fall 2021 - on time
COVID safety practices are impacting progress and budget at the new Highline High School, but crews are working overtime and are on schedule to open school in September. The project budget includes contingency funds.
Glacier Middle School
- 100% complete
- Opened Fall 2019 - on time
Frontage improvements to Glacier Middle School, including more sidewalks on South 142nd Street, are finishing up in coordination with the City of SeaTac.
Des Moines Elementary School
- 100% complete
- Opened Fall 2019 - on time
A related project, to complete the Des Moines Creek Trail that runs in front of the new Des Moines Elementary School and cuts across the property, was completed in 2020.
Olympic Interim Site
- 100% complete
- Opened Fall 2019 - on time to serve HHS students
Early in the project, we discovered asbestos at the Olympic Interim Site that required demolition of most of the center building, which was replaced with new portable classrooms, including new science classrooms. We expect this site will serve the new Maritime High School and the Highline Virtual Academy starting Fall 2021.
Initial Design Projects (3 Schools)
Initial design phases are 100% complete
All three projects have been completed up to 50% schematic design stage, as planned. Final design and construction of all three projects will require a future school bond be proposed and approved by local voters before contractors can submit bids or be selected. The soonest another school bond could be proposed is in 2022.
Safety & Security Improvements
- Electronic Locks in School Classrooms & Entrances: 95% complete
- Updated & Additional Security Cameras: 15% complete
Adding electronic locks to classroom and entrance doors in our oldest school buildings proved challenging. In many cases, infrastructure and doorways needed to be replaced. The pandemic and a change of contractors slowed work in 2020. A site-by-site review with each school principal resulted in a list of additional door locks. This added work is expected to be complete in Spring 2021.
Critical Needs Fund
Approximately $11 million of $19 million in critical needs projects have been completed, from roofing to painting to installing playground toys and boilers. Some bond funds will be held in contingency for emergency needs like boiler replacements. See June 2019 web story for a detailed list of critical needs projects completed.
Thank you, voters!