Highline Public Schools is inviting students, families, and community members to help shape its 2025-26 budget by sharing funding priorities and ideas through its ThoughtExchange platform.
Amid statewide funding challenges, Highline aims to ensure all students graduate future-ready by gathering input on what matters most for student success.
Participants can share and rate ideas through February 2, 2025, as part of the district’s effort to create an equitable and effective budget.
Here’s the Question the District is asking:
What are the most important things Highline needs to think about to support all students?
How to Participate
Join Highline’s ThoughtExchange by February 2, 2025. Click here to share your ideas on what matters most for students and rate ideas shared by others. This is one of several ways Highline is gathering input during the budget development process.
Budget Challenges
Washington’s K-12 education system faces significant funding challenges. Many districts are grappling with program cuts, staff layoffs and strained resources. Rising costs for food, transportation and utilities are outpacing funding provided by the state legislature, which has not kept up with the basic costs of public education. Superintendents statewide are calling on lawmakers to:
- Fully fund special education.
- Adjust operating cost allocations to reflect inflation.
- Modernize the state’s outdated transportation funding formula.
Local districts, including Highline, depend on voter-approved levies to bridge the increasing gap left by state funding shortfalls. Last year, Highline cut its 2024-25 budget by $8 million. While many districts face even deeper cuts, Highline expects stable finances for the upcoming school year, with no additional reductions anticipated.
Looking Ahead
Demographers project a slight decline in Highline enrollment over the next two years, followed by growth as new housing developments are completed. Enrollment projections are a key factor in budget planning and state allocations.
“Steady enrollment projections and last year’s budget cuts have put us in a very stable position for the upcoming school year,” said Jackie Bryan, Highline’s Chief Financial Officer. “We do not anticipate making cuts for next school year.”
Why Your Input Matters
Feedback from students, families, staff and community members will guide resource allocation, promoting equity and long-term student success.
Spread the word and invite others to share their thoughts at tejoin.com/scroll/847722041.
“Together, we can focus on a bright future for all Highline students!”