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Highline board interviews candidates for two vacancies, recesses to executive session and schedules appointment vote
Summary
The board held interviews for District 4 and District 5 vacancies, heard multiple candidates, and voted to recess into executive session to evaluate candidates. The board announced it will vote on appointments March 19 and administer oaths March 24; appointed directors would serve until the November 2025 election.
Highline School District directors conducted interviews for vacancies in Districts 4 and 5, then recessed into a closed executive session to evaluate applicants and scheduled a public vote to appoint new directors.
The board heard multiple candidates for District 4 and District 5, including Megan Demarotis and Blaine Holland for District 5 and candidates identified for District 4. After the public interviews the board moved into executive session under the state open-meetings statute to evaluate candidate qualifications and said it would take no action at the end of the closed session.
Why it matters: Filling two board seats affects governance, voting majorities and the work plan for the remainder of the year. The board said any appointed directors would serve the remainder of the current terms through the November 2025 election, a temporary appointment that gives incumbents the option to run in the regular election.
Interview process and timing: President Van opened the candidate interviews following a lunch recess, explaining a standardized question set developed from community input. Candidates were given timed responses and a short question period with directors. Several directors emphasized relationship building, community outreach and the need for new members to learn district policy and procedures.
After the public portion President Van moved, "that the board immediately recess into executive session for 60 minutes... in accordance with provisions of RCW 42.30.110. The purpose of the executive session is to evaluate the qualifications of candidates for appointment to elective office." The motion was seconded and the board called the vote. The board announced the motion carried with an aye vote and no opposition (motion made on the record; mover and seconder not named on the public record).
The board later announced a schedule for appointment: a public vote on appointments will be held at the March 19 board meeting and the oath of office for any appointees is expected March 24. Directors said appointees will serve until the November 2025 election, when voters choose who will serve the remainder of the terms.
Ending: The board recessed into and later returned from the executive session without announcing candidate evaluations publicly. Directors said the public appointment vote will occur at the next regular meeting, giving the board time to complete its closed evaluation.
