Reductions Part of 2026-27 Budget Plan
As we’ve shared previously, we will reduce our budget by $8 million for the 2026-27 school year. These reductions are necessary due to ongoing underfunding of public education at the state level, combined with rising costs for staffing, services and daily operations.
We must make reductions now to maintain financial stability and avoid more significant disruptions in future years.
This week, Superintendent Ivan Duran announced the elimination of 31.5 central office positions. This includes vacant positions that will remain unfilled and positions affecting current employees through layoffs or reassignments.
These decisions were made to prioritize students and classrooms as much as possible. However, reductions at this depth will affect the level of service schools receive.
"Our financial reality does not change why we are here. We remain committed to our strategic plan goals and our Highline Promise to know every student by name, strength and need,” Dr. Duran shared in an all-staff message. “This is hard work, and it affects people we care about. Please lookout for one another, support your teams, and stay connected as we move through the coming months together.”
In the coming weeks and months, department leaders and staff will work together to identify how these role reductions affect work and support. We will share updates as plans take shape.
Budget Development Process
We will share clear updates throughout the year to keep staff, families, and our community informed. Here are the articles we have shared so far:
- May 2025: We outlined the impacts of the new state budget and the underfunding in special education, transportation and basic operations.
- July 2025: The School Board voted to place a levy renewal on the November ballot to help fill the gap in state funding.
- September 2025: We shared more detail about what the levy could support, including programs, services and staff not funded by the state.
- October: Superintendent Ivan Duran shared we must reduce our 2026-27 budget by $8 million to maintain long-term stability.
- November: Department leaders began reviewing budgets to identify potential reductions and efficiencies.
- December: We shared our 2026 legislative agenda, a fully funding K-12 education in Washington state
- January: We asked our community to give feedback on budget priorities as we align limited resources with our goals. We also shared enrollment projections for the 2026-27 school year.