Meeting Summary
Our Capital Projects Oversight Committee learned about our construction progress and examined a quarterly financial report for our 2016 and 2022 bond projects at the February 13, 2024 meeting.
Scott Logan, our Chief of Operations, announced his upcoming June retirement to the committee. He introduced Jackie Bryan, our Chief Financial Officer, who will now oversee the Capital Planning & Construction team.
Rose Clark, Oversight Committee member, welcomed Jackie and expressed appreciation for Scott’s service to Highline. “Thank you, Scott, for helping bring the district to a better fiscal position with successful bond construction projects that help our community,” she said.
Ellie Daneshnia, executive director of Highline’s Capital Planning & Construction team presented an update on the progress of each project funded by the 2022 bond. Additionally, she provided a report on the remaining budget line items from the 2016 bond.
Here is a summary of the key points:
2022 Bond
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Evergreen High School — Both main buildings have reached their intended height, marking a significant milestone. The project team is currently collaborating with King County to finalize approval for the storm water plan, a crucial step before obtaining the final building permit. For more details and photos of progress, check out the February 2024 Evergreen construction update.
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Tyee High School — Concrete block walls are being erected in the southwest corner of the site. The Tyee and Evergreen projects are on slightly different construction timelines because the existing Evergreen will be demolished after their new school opens, while the original Tyee buildings had to be demolished prior to construction. Both new schools are on schedule to open in September 2025. See the February 2024 Tyee construction update and photos.
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Pacific Middle School — The project has reached 100% schematic design. The design is now being reviewed by district departments to check all details, and by consultants for cost and value efficiencies. It is typical on our school building projects to select some alternate options in this design phase, until the project budget develops. Planners are keeping an eye on material prices and energy codes that go into effect in March. See the Pacific design update and photos.
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Sylvester Field — Planning continues for work to be completed in the summer of 2024. This project includes a synthetic turf field, a new track, modular restroom building (with grant funding), and a soccer mini pitch sponsored by the Seattle Sounders/Rave Foundation. We received initial permit review comments from the City of Burien. Enhanced stormwater improvements are specified. The SEPA notification process is completed, and clearing and grading permits obtained. Construction may start as soon as April, depending on the permit review. See the Sylvester Field site plan, September 2023.
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Transportation Building — A modular building to house Transportation staff is in design and planning as part of the 2022 bond projects. This will replace an aging structure. We are meeting with the City of Burien regarding permitting, and have SEPA consultants on board. The bond budget for this project is $5 million. Construction is expected to take place between August 2024 to August 2025.
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Renovations at Southern Heights Campus — Renovations to accommodate HIghline Virtual Academy and Innovations Heights Academy are largely completed, with a few new requests in process, including additional walls, and a separate entrance intercom for Innovation Heights Academy, a new wireless clock system and summer roof repair. The project is on schedule and on budget. For reference, see the progress report and photos from September 2023.
2016 Bond
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Safety & Security Upgrades — The installation of security intercom cameras is complete or in progress at the main entrances of all our schools. This new addition to our security infrastructure was funded by the 2016 bond and will enhance safety measures. Starting as soon as this week, staff at most school offices will be able to see and talk to external visitors before unlocking the main door from a connected workstation in their office. We expect the intercom cameras to be completed at the last five schools by the end of March. See the February 2024 project update.
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Critical Needs Projects — Upcoming projects include adding lighting at the Sunnydale site (with grant funding), and adding a modular classroom/restroom building at Valley View Early Learning Center (with grant funding) to expand early learning capacity. We will also use this funding to replace some additional copper lines. We plan to exhaust 2016 Critical Needs funding before tapping 2022 Critical Needs funds.
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Glacier/Des Moines/Olympic — The line items for Glacier Middle School, the new Des Moines Elementary School, and the Olympic Interim Site renovation project were previously closed.
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Highline High School — Although the project itself has concluded, we have kept the budget open for a few outstanding items. This includes the school board-approved HHS/Moshier parking lot improvement agreement with the City of Burien, which was part of the HHS replacement plans. We are close to finalizing the remaining details so we can close this budget line item.
What is the Capital Projects Oversight Committee?
The Oversight Committee is a small group of appointed community members and industry professionals who meet quarterly to keep an eye on our bond-funded capital projects. They review our progress and bond financial reports, ask questions, and serve as a watchdog to ensure we are following through on our school bond promises with taxpayer funds.