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Ballot question

Highline School District Proposition 1: $595.4 million school construction bonds

On the ballot in
Highline School District
Vote
Yes or no
Election
Nov 3, 2026

The question, as printed on the ballot

The Board of Directors of Highline School District No. 401 adopted Resolution No. 11-26, concerning neighborhood school improvements and safety upgrades. This proposition would authorize the District to: replace or rebuild four deteriorating schools (Cascade, Chinook, Sylvester, CHOICE Academy), including new career/technical learning spaces, secure entrances, security camera upgrades; make critical districtwide core building system upgrades, including heating, roofing, electrical, plumbing; implement districtwide health, security, fire system and earthquake safety upgrades; issue $595,400,000 of general obligation bonds maturing within 21 years; and levy annual excess property taxes to repay the bonds, all as provided in Resolution No. 11-26. Should this proposition be:

A “Yes” vote means

The district may issue $595.4 million in bonds over up to 21 years, repaid by property taxes, to replace or rebuild four schools and make districtwide safety and system upgrades.

A “No” vote means

The district does not issue the bonds or levy the property taxes to repay them.

Official plain English statement

Proposition 1 authorizes school construction bonds to replace and rebuild deteriorating schools and make districtwide safety and accessibility improvements and upgrades. Proposition 1 will improve student, staff and community safety, security and accessibility, enhance student learning environments, improve and expand educational opportunities, and provide necessary student educational facilities (including career/technical learning spaces). The bonds will allow Highline Public Schools to: (1) address critical needs districtwide, including core building system upgrades and site improvements (plumbing, hot water systems, HVAC, electrical, roofing, security, fire systems and earthquake safety upgrades); (2) construct a new school to replace Sylvester Middle School; (3) construct a new school to replace Cascade Middle School; (4) partially rebuild and modernize Chinook Middle School (replacing the oldest, most outdated buildings, facilities and infrastructure with new construction; renovating and updating existing usable buildings; and replacing portables with permanent classrooms); (5) rebuild and modernize the former Southern Heights Elementary School site as a new facility for CHOICE Academy; and (6) develop design plans for construction, redevelopment or replacement of Valley View Early Learning Center and Hilltop Elementary School. More information is available at highlineschools.org/bondandlevy. The $595,400,000 of general obligation bonds will be repaid from annual excess property taxes sufficient to pay bond debt service over a maximum term of 21 years. Exemptions from taxes may be available to certain homeowners. For more information, contact the King County Department of Assessments, 206-296-3920. For questions about this measure, contact: Andrew Burgess, Controller, (206) 631-3201, [email protected]

Sources

The question and plain English statement are copied word for word from official election materials. The Gist does not take a side on ballot questions.