CFAC Builds Potential Bond Packages

CFAC Meeting Summary, January 12, 2026

In January, Highline’s community-led Capital Facilities Advisory Committee (CFAC) received more cost estimates and information. Then members worked in small groups to test which projects and capital needs fit within potential bond dollar amounts. They developed five potential bond packages, ranging from $450 to $650 million.

At their next meeting, committee members will refine their bond package ideas, and work toward consensus on a final list of capital projects and a dollar amount to recommend to the school board.

Opportunity for Input Coming in February

After the February 2 meeting, stay tuned for an invitation to share your feedback in a survey. The feedback will be shared with CFAC members prior to their March 9 meeting, when they hope to finalize a bond recommendation.

Meeting Materials – January 12

• Video Recording
  • Live video camera starts at 6:48; audio is live from the start.
  • Introduction, Recap Last Meeting & Feedback (0:00)
  • Facility Conditions & Capital Needs Snapshots (7:28)
  • Small Group Project Shopping List Activity (19:02)
  • Report Out (1:05:34)
  • Questions & Feedback (1:22:22 - 1:28:57)
• CFAC Agenda, with links to data and map
• CFAC Meeting Slide Deck
• Potential Bond 2026 Project Snapshots Handout
• Bond Project Cost Template

Strong Alignment

While there is still variation among committee members, there are also areas of strong alignment among four or five of the draft bond packages, titled A-E and outlined below under “Initial Bond Package Ideas.”

• Rebuild Sylvester appears in four of five ideas (A–D).
• Rebuild Cascade at the Salmon Creek Site (614 SW 120th Street, Burien) appears in four of five ideas (A–D). This idea would allow students to remain at Cascade until their new school opens. Rebuilding Cascade at the Salmon Creek Site is estimated to cost $44 million less than rebuilding at the existing site.
• Rebuild the main building at the Southern Heights Site (11249 14th Ave S, Burien) as a new, long-term home for Big Picture and CHOICE Academy, and enclose and connect the existing classroom wings to a new main building, appears in all five bond package ideas. Insurance and FAA funding for this site could be leveraged with bond dollars. 
• Critical needs funding is included in every package.

Early Consensus

The following priorities emerged from the work of the small groups:

• Replacing aging comprehensive schools (prioritize Sylvester & Cascade)
• Securing a long-term home for Big Picture & CHOICE
• Addressing districtwide critical facility needs regardless of package size

Initial Bond Package Ideas

CFAC members worked in small groups to draft the first round of early bond package ideas, labeled A-E below. These are starting points for discussion — not final proposals, and not the only options CFAC may consider. All the possible ideas generated so far are shared below for transparency at this stage of the community-led planning process. 

All ideas shared so far are included below for transparency at this stage of the community-led planning process. Some members also raised a possible opportunity to rebuild several schools in different locations.

In February, CFAC members will revisit potential projects and possible bond costs. The committee will then share more refined package ideas for community feedback.

Idea A

• Sylvester: Rebuild at the Manhattan/Woodside Site
  • Explore sale of current land to Virginia Mason Franciscan Health 
• Cascade: Rebuild at the Salmon Creek Site
• Chinook: Modernization & Partial Replacement 
• Big Picture & CHOICE: Rebuild and Renovate at Southern Heights
• Critical Needs Funding

Cost: $650M

Idea B

• Sylvester: Rebuild at the Manhattan/Woodside Site (see Idea A) 
• Cascade: Rebuild at the Salmon Creek Site
• Big Picture & CHOICE: Rebuild and Renovate at Southern Heights  
• Critical Needs Funding

Cost: $477.5M 

Idea C

• Sylvester: Rebuild on Site  
• Cascade: Rebuild at the Salmon Creek Site
• Chinook: Modernization & Partial Replacement 
• Big Picture & CHOICE: Rebuild and Renovate at Southern Heights  
• Critical Needs Funding
• Additional funds (up to $650M) would go toward maintenance of Hilltop ($5.7M) & initial design of Valley View ($5.6M).

Cost: $638.7 - $650M

Idea D: 

• Sylvester: Rebuild on Site  
• Cascade: Rebuild at the Salmon Creek Site
• Hilltop: Modernization & Partial Replacement
• Big Picture & CHOICE: Rebuild and Renovate at Southern Heights  
• Critical Needs Funding
  • Acknowledged need for additional maintenance updates for Chinook and Valley View until replaced in a future bond cycle.

Cost: $554M +

Idea E

• Big Picture & CHOICE: Rebuild and Renovate at Southern Heights  
• Valley View: Rebuild 
• Hilltop: Modernization & Partial Replacement
• Design work for all three comprehensive middle schools
• Additional maintenance funding (including the 3 middle schools)
• Critical Needs

Cost: $450M

Next Meeting

The next CFAC meeting is Monday, February 2, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the boardroom at Highline Public Schools' central office, 15675 Ambaum Blvd SW in Burien. The public is welcome to attend in person to listen or to view the livestream.  

Photos