On April 16, the Highline school board met with a full dais for the first time since January of this year when Directors Melissa Petrini and Azeb Hagos stepped down from the board.
Two new directors, Dr. Damarys Espinoza and Mr. Blaine Holien joined existing board directors, President Joe Van, Vice Chair Stephanie Tidholm, and Angelica Alvarez.
The meeting opened with two scheduled recognitions: school library month, and community partner, Para Los Ninos.
The board then unexpectedly recognized four administrators for their outstanding recent efforts: Adriana Espinoza, Tove Tupper, Holly Ferguson, and Erin Bennett.
The public comment docket was flush with a dozen teachers and students who offered their full support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and programs, PSSC (skills center), and CTE (tech and trades) programs.
Only two speakers challenged the directors. One pleaded with the board to prioritize literacy and academics; the other reminded the board that federal law prevails when there is a conflict between federal and state laws.
Superintendent Duran welcomed the Highline community back after spring break and welcomed new board members. He discussed the cybersecurity incident and recommended people visit the Highline website for more information. Duran introduced Jeb Binns, president of the Highline Education Association, followed by Jackie Bryan, Chief Financial Officer, who gave a budget update.
Director Alvarez asked if funding changes were anticipated. Bryan said that state funding and levy income were mixed. However, she bypassed the opportunity to comment on recent federal funding threats related to DEI or Title IX infractions.
The school board reports include a legislative report from director Stephanie Tidholm. The transportation bill has died, but two education funding bills are still in play.
School board directors gave their reports.
During his report, President Joe Van, a 10-year Highline Board Director, included a rare comment in response to a public testimony challenge by Alex Myrick regarding the board’s seeming lack of dedication to academics and literacy. Chairman Van staunchly declared,
“I’ll say it publicly: Literacy and academic achievements are part of our priorities and our goals. So let’s keep moving forward and living the Promise.”
The business portion of the agenda met with unanimous votes across the board, affirming new graduation requirements, the Teamsters local union 763 collective bargaining agreement, construction changes, Tyee and Evergreen technology purchases, ELLEVATION through Curriculum Associates contract, with few comments or questions.
The most debated item on the agenda was a small property conveyance of a sidewalk in Seatac as part of the Valley View early learning center construction project.
The introduction and action items included approval of the 2024-25 school board goals, and a $1.7 million five-year contract for Synergy Student Information System renewal.
Introduction items included the secondary health curriculum adoption (sex ed), construction projects, the asset preservation program annual review scores, Procore software license, and band and weight room equipment for Evergreen and Tyee high schools.
Only the health curriculum and the purchase of band and weight room equipment included brief, glowing presentations.
The Health Curriculum presentation included a benign slide from the Health lessons on personal hygiene:
Director questions and discussions were sparse, which prompted Director Angelica Alvarez to remind her fellow directors that any additional questions should be directed to the superintendent during the next two weeks.
The meeting adjourned at 8:03 pm.
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