This week, Highline staff presented the proposed 2025-26 budget to the School Board during a board work session. The proposal reflects our steady financial outlook — no major cuts are expected next school year, thanks to stable enrollment and reductions made in previous years.
Like school districts across Washington, Highline continues to navigate ongoing funding gaps from the state. While the new biennial budget includes some increases—particularly in special education and operational costs—it does not fully meet the needs of students and schools. Local levy dollars remain critical to filling these gaps in Highline.
Proposed Budget
Review the proposed budget online.
Give Input
We invite you to share your input and questions about the proposed budget through a ThoughtExchange. This online tool allows you to share ideas and rate those shared by others. Your input will be used to guide communication and budget development next school year.
Public Hearing
In addition, you are encouraged to attend or tune in to our Public Hearing on Wednesday, June 25, where community members may make public comments on the budget.
Public Hearing
Wednesday, June 25
4:15 - 4:45 p.m.
Central Office Boardroom, 15675 Ambaum Blvd SW, Burien
Watch online at highlineschools.org/board
Budget Development Process
We’ve shared budget updates throughout the year to keep families, staff and community members informed about our budget development process. Here’s a look at what we’ve shared so far:
- October: We shared student enrollment is higher than projected—marking the first time since 2018 that enrollment has not decreased. Enrollment numbers are a critical factor in state funding and play a key role in our budget planning.
- November: We highlighted Highline’s advocacy for increased state funding in three areas. Our 2025 legislative priorities focus on securing essential resources for students and schools.
- December: The School Board held a work session on the budget development process. We also shared that we do not anticipate additional reductions in the 2025-26 budget after eliminating $8 million from our district budget for the 2024-25 school year and steady enrollment.
- January: Superintendent Ivan Duran co-authored an editorial in The Seattle Times urging lawmakers to address Washington’s K-12 education funding crisis. We also shared our enrollment projections for next school year.
- February: We shared the results of our Budget ThoughtExchange. More than 330 ideas were shared, with nearly 13,000 ratings by 360 participants. Our community's top priorities include competitive wages for educators, smaller class sizes, increased support for special education and inclusion, expanded mental health services, and advocacy for full state and federal funding.
- March: The School Board held a work session on Wednesday, March 5 about the budget development process. We also asked our community how we should best allocate our resources for our key priorities through a ThoughtExchange.
- April: We shared the results of our ThoughtExchange. More than 265 ideas were shared across four exchanges, with nearly 5,400 ratings by 332 participants. A strong majority of 78% of participants reported they know at least a little bit about the development process, up from 69% in January.
- May: Highline received a positive financial state audit. We also shared the impacts of the new state budget, which continues to underfund key areas, including special education, operational costs and transportation.
- June: We invited the community to attend our work session and public hearing on the proposed budget.