CFAC Members Use Key Factors to Score Projects
Highline’s Capital Facilities Advisory Committee (CFAC) practiced prioritizing school replacement and improvement projects at the February 24 CFAC meeting.
Many CFAC members remarked on the complexity of the process, noting, “This is really hard!” Their feedback highlights the difficult but essential task of making fair and equitable school investment decisions.
CFAC members used seven key factors identified in November. In small groups, they assigned weights to each factor, ensuring the total equaled 100%. Committee members then began to review eight hypothetical projects and to score them, one to five for each of the key factors:
- Equity & Student Impact
- Capacity & Growth Planning
- Health, Safety & Security
- Building Condition & Infrastructure
- Cost-effective & Long-term Solutions
- Financial Responsibility
- Feasibility & Timing
The agenda for this community-led committee meeting included the main topics below:
Enrollment projections
Enrollment in 2024-25 is higher than projected due to fewer students leaving the district and the completion of two new apartment complexes with affordable units for families.
Private school enrollment is no longer increasing, and home-based instruction is decreasing to pre-pandemic levels.
Highline's enrollment is projected to decrease slightly over the next two years before it grows with the completion of more new housing.
Bond project updates and 2022 bond sales information
Members received updates about:
- Current school bond construction projects
- The second sale of a portion of the 2022 school bonds.
Data & Analysis to Come
Two new sources of data and information will be shared with CFAC later this year:
- Facilities Condition Assessment – in progress by McKinstry, this assessment will help Highline be more proactive in tracking building system assets, like boilers and other equipment, for upkeep and timely, energy-efficient replacement.
- Site Options Analysis – in progress by Bassetti Architects, will look at building condition scores but go beyond them. Bassetti will provide a comparative analysis of our site options, considering the feasibility of rebuilding on site, as well as the cost-effectiveness of remodeling versus rebuilding. They will report on cost efficiency, site challenges, innovative solutions and cost estimates.
This analysis will help answer some CFAC member questions. CFAC’s goal is to reach a next-phase bond package amount and recommendation to present to the school board by spring 2026. This allows the school board time to make a decision about placing a school bond on November 2026 ballots.
Next CFAC Meeting
The next CFAC meeting is Monday, April 24 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the boardroom at Highline’s central office, 15675 Ambaum Blvd SW in Burien. The public is welcome to attend and observe.