Highline not only has a bond planning committee, but also a Capital Projects Oversight Committee to track bond spending and project progress. This group of local industry experts meet quarterly to review bond project financial reports and ask questions. This committee has been active since the 2016 bond was approved.
All 2022 bond projects are on track and within budget.
Meeting Summary: February 10, 2026
Below is a summary of updates the Oversight Committee received during the meeting.
Pacific Middle School
This 2022 bond-funded construction project is on time and within budget. Structural steel is going up. Committee members viewed the site camera for a look at progress. Read more details in the February project update for Pacific Middle School.
Bond Planning
Bassetti Architects provided a site feasibility analysis at some of the aging school sites for the purpose of bond planning by Highline’s community-led Capital Facilities Advisory Committee (CFAC). They prepared materials and an overview of each site, providing information like current building setback requirements and estimated costs of replacement or partial replacement, as well as site challenges and opportunities. The analysis was shared with CFAC members across several meetings and are available in meeting summaries online.
Oversight Committee members inquired about the status of CFAC’s work and expected bond recommendation. Staff, and the two members elected by CFAC to serve on the Oversight Committee, provided an update. Read a summary of the February 2 CFAC meeting.
Facility Condition Assessment, for Asset Management
McKinstry is performing a thorough facility condition assessment – or audit of current assets – to provide a comprehensive assessment of required upgrades to electrical and other building systems equipment. The goal of the assessment is improved management and maintenance of district assets long-term.
Boiler Study & Repair
As part of this effort, boilers are being assessed for required updates and maintenance needs. Boilers are being replaced at Gregory Heights, Hazel Valley and White Center Heights elementary schools, as well as Cascade Middle School due to being at the end of their life cycle. The status of boilers at additional schools, including Mount Rainier High School and Bow Lake Elementary School are being assessed.
Oversight Committee member Dave Hawthorne inquired why the boilers need replacement. Since many of these were installed new before 2007, they are naturally reaching the end of their life cycle, when replacement is expected, despite sometimes repeated repairs over the past two decades.
Another member, Elizabeth Leavitt, noted that new boilers will save dollars over time since modern boilers are more energy efficient.
Telecommunication System Upgrades & Budget Adjustments
The TCU Overlay project refers to districtwide telecommunication upgrades planned for the Electrocom (intercom public address) systems in our buildings. Some of the projects are shifting from partial to full replacement of the main PA control panel due to outdated equipment. This change has increased costs and required budget adjustments within this critical needs project.
Evergreen Pool Soffit & HVAC
We are investigating the condition of the soffit and HVAC system at the Evergreen Aquatics Center to understand the needs and costs associated with repair or replacement. The pool facility next to Evergreen High School is owned by Highline Public Schools but operated by non-profit Whitewater Aquatics Management. Potential grants might be available to help fund this work.
Critical Needs Budget
The critical needs budget line item increased $5,756 based on reallocating funds not used in other projects. Some funds were reallocated from the Evergreen High School project after money intended to cover potential construction risks was not needed. This is typical for unused bond project funding to be reallocated to the critical needs budget as projects are completed.