This week, Highline staff presented the proposed 2026-27 budget to the School Board during a board work session.
The budget reflects both stability and continued financial pressure. Steady enrollment and difficult decisions in recent years have helped Highline maintain a stable financial position. At the same time, rising costs for staffing, insurance, utilities, transportation and daily operations continue to outpace state funding.
To maintain stability, Highline reduced the 2026–27 budget by about $8 million, including central office reductions and the elimination of 31.5 positions. Throughout the process, the leaders prioritized resources that directly support students and classrooms.
Give Input
We invite you to share your input and questions about the budget development process through a ThoughtExchange.
The full proposed budget will be available online beginning June 12. In the meantime, you can ask questions about the budget information shared so far, the budget development process or the upcoming public hearing.
Your questions will help us understand what families, staff, students and community members want to know as we continue sharing budget information.
Share your input and questions
Public Hearing
In addition, you are encouraged to attend or tune in to our Public Hearing where community members may make public comments on the budget.
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
4:45 - 5:15 p.m.
Central Office Boardroom,15675 Ambaum Blvd SW in Burien
You can also 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:
- 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 2025: Superintendent Ivan Duran shared we must reduce our 2026-27 budget by $8 million to maintain long-term stability.
- November 2025: Department leaders began reviewing budgets to identify potential reductions and efficiencies.
- December 2026: We shared our 2026 legislative agenda, a fully funding K-12 education in Washington state
- January 2026: 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.
- February 2026: We announced Central Office reductions including the elimination of 31.5 central office positions.
- March 2026: We shared that we are exploring a renewal of a capital technology levy as a continued source of local funding.
- April 2026: We shared why school districts across Washington are facing budget challenges and how the state continues to underfund public education.
- May 2026: We shared information about board work sessions and public hearing events in June.