Votes at a glance: Highline board approves resolution, contracts and administrative actions

The Highline School Board approved a series of motions during its March 2025 meeting, including a widely discussed resolution affirming protections for LGBTQIA+ and immigrant students and multiple contract and personnel approvals. Most votes were recorded as passing unanimously (3-0). The following lists each formal action taken and the recorded outcome.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 02-25 — “Our schools, our promise: a stand for every student.” Outcome: Approved (motion passed 3-0). Mover: Director Alvarez; second: colleague; roll call recorded Vice President Tidholm, Director Alvarez and President Van voting yes.

- School board director vacancy (District 4) — Named three finalists for District 4 appointment: Damaris Espinosa, Kenneth Kemp, Carlos Ruiz. Outcome: Approved to name finalists (motion passed 3-0).

- School board director vacancy (District 5) — Reopened the application window for District 5 to March 13 at 9:00 a.m.; existing candidates remain in consideration and new interviews scheduled for March 15. Outcome: Approved to reopen application window (motion passed 3-0).

- Resolution 01-25 — Requesting a waiver from the State Board of Education for Maritime High School’s credit-based graduation requirements. Outcome: Approved (motion passed 3-0).

- Change order and purchase order CP24096 (construction) — Board approved Change Order No. 1 and a purchase order increase described in the meeting: an increase stated as $1,301,833 (plus Washington sales tax) and a revised purchase order amount discussed in the meeting. The meeting recorded a correction during roll call where a director clarified the total; the motion passed 3-0. (Amounts and purchase order totals were discussed and clarified on the record during the meeting; see minutes.)

- Roof replacement and restoration contract (Beverly Park at Glendale / Garland DBS Inc.) — Motion approved for a net cost of $489,576 plus Washington state sales tax ($49,936.75) and a stated total contract amount of $6,539,512.75 as presented. Outcome: Approved (motion passed 3-0).

- Transportation building replacement project site improvements — Contract award approved with Comer GC Inc., for $1,405,050 including Washington state sales tax (motion passed 3-0). The project is expected to support a building replacement with an anticipated completion later in the year.

- Change order number 2 for McKinsey facility condition assessment — Approved for $248,500 (motion passed 3-0).

- Correction to approved classified substitute salary schedule — Board approved a corrected classified substitute salary schedule to fix an attachment error from the prior meeting (motion passed 3-0).

- Other routine contract and procurement approvals and PO adjustments presented as intro items were put on future consent or action items as noted in the meeting agenda.

What the votes mean

Several of the contract votes fund or advance capital and facility work (roof replacement, transportation building, facility condition assessment), while personnel and procedural votes (salary schedule correction, director vacancy procedures) address governance and operations. The board recorded unanimous votes on these motions; the meeting transcript includes the exact roll-call statements and the dollar figures and contract identifiers as presented by staff.

Next steps

District staff will implement approved contracts, proceed with the District 5 application reopening and interview schedule, communicate the adopted Resolution 02-25 to staff and stakeholders, and report back to the board with follow-up information about contracts and implementation timelines.