Highline board sets short-term goals, launches formal review of conflict-of-interest policy

Highline School District board members used a retreat and work session to refine near-term board goals and to request a formal revision of Policy 16.10, the district's conflict-of-interest policy.

The board identified four goals to carry into the 2025-26 year: craft a shared purpose for the board, develop an onboarding plan for incoming directors, research governance models, and increase board visits to schools. Directors also asked staff to review a long-standing conflicts policy (Policy 16.10) and return a revised draft and a disclosure form for review, with outside counsel suggested for legal vetting.

Why it matters: Board-level governance and policy shape oversight of the superintendent and district priorities. Directors said clearer onboarding and a governance model review will help incoming members get up to speed and sustain district initiatives, and that updating the conflicts policy would reduce future confusion or perception issues.

At the retreat President Van opened the discussion of norms and board purpose, stressing that…