Highline board approves policy changes, Evergreen remediation, wage adjustments and five‑year Synergy contract

The Highline Public Schools Board of Directors approved multiple budget, contract and personnel items during its Feb. 19 meeting, including a revision to board policy 6000, a change order to complete Evergreen High School remediation, pay adjustments tied to a new local minimum wage, and a five‑year renewal of the district’s Synergy student information system.

Most significant votes: the board voted unanimously by roll call (3–0) to amend board policy 6000 (Financial Management for Equity), the Evergreen remediation change order for Cornerstone General Contractors (which raised the contract and set the revised purchase order total at $9,202,891.10 plus Washington state sales tax), the updated classified substitute salary schedule and athletic coaches salary matrix to comply with Burien’s minimum‑wage requirements, and a five‑year Synergy student information system contract for $1,690,368 plus applicable Washington state sales tax.

Why it matters: the actions move capital projects and operational contracts forward while adjusting personnel pay where local wage laws apply. The policy amendment signals an explicit alignment of district financial management with the district strategic plan, the superintendent and board said.

Votes at a glance: - Committee appointments (board liaison assignments): motion passed by roll call, 3–0. - Board policy 6000 (Financial Management for Equity): approved by roll call, 3–0. - Evergreen High School remediation, change order #2 (Cornerstone General Contractors): approved by roll call, 3–0. The motion described the change order and stated the revised purchase order total as $9,202,891.10 plus Washington state sales tax. - Classified substitute salary schedule and athletic coaches pay matrix (minimum wage adjustment): approved by roll call, 3–0. - Synergy student information system renewal (five years): approved by roll call, 3–0; contract value $1,690,368 plus applicable Washington state sales tax.

Key budget update: Jackie Bridal, the district’s chief financial officer, presented preliminary January numbers and the district’s budget process. Bridal said enrollment is trending higher than budget, reporting 534 full‑time equivalent students over the projection used in the adopted budget so far this year. Year‑to‑date revenue through preliminary January close was reported at approximately $144.5 million, with expenditures noted as typical for the time of year. Bridal also reviewed recent bond sale activity to fund construction at Evergreen, Tyee and Pacific, and described an ongoing resource‑alignment process with schools for the 2025–26 budget.

Software and data systems: Deshaun (district staff) described Synergy usage across modules including ParentVUE (about 80% family use), StudentVUE (about 60% student use), TeacherView gradebooks, online registration, MTSS/early warning modules and pilot programs such as eHallPass. The board approved the five‑year renewal to continue those modules and enable upcoming health‑services and special‑education transitions into Synergy.

Roll calls and voting: multiple motions were moved and seconded; formal roll calls named board members who voted in favor. Minutes show each of the listed major motions passed by a 3–0 vote.

What’s next: approved construction and remediation work will proceed under the posted purchase orders and contracts; the CFO said resource‑alignment meetings for the 2025–26 budget will continue through March and that the board will receive additional financial detail at the next work session.