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Highline board approves McKinney‑Vento transportation and $435,000 grant, adds budget‑committee discussion
Summary
The Highline School District board voted Dec. 18 to approve transportation costs related to McKinney‑Vento services with Seattle Public Schools, accepted a $435,000 Technology Access Foundation grant, and voted to add a discussion of a dedicated budget advisory committee to the Jan. 8 meeting; attempts to remove a personnel name and to re‑open an executive session failed.
At its Dec. 18 meeting the Highline School District board approved several formal actions after discussion and public comment.
Budget‑committee agenda: The board voted 4–1 to add a discussion about creating a dedicated budget advisory committee (to include staff, educators, students, families and community members) to a future regular meeting agenda (scheduled for Jan. 8). The motion was moved and seconded and passed on roll call.
Personnel and executive‑session motions: A motion to remove the name John Youngblood from the personnel (Purcell) report to allow further review failed on a 2–3 roll‑call vote. Later, a motion to go into executive session to receive and evaluate complaints or charges against an employee was proposed and failed on a 2–3 roll call. Directors debated the board’s oversight role, HR’s third‑party investigation process, and potential liability under state law.
McKinney‑Vento transportation: After clarification from staff that McKinney‑Vento eligibility is defined by federal law (homelessness criteria) and is not contingent on immigration status, the board approved transportation arrangements with Seattle Public Schools. During discussion staff and directors referenced a figure discussed at the meeting; the board approved transportation funding in the amount discussed at the motion (the meeting record corrected an earlier numeric readout and reflects an approval for $304,000). The roll‑call vote passed unanimously as recorded in the meeting.
Technology Access Foundation grant: The board unanimously approved acceptance of a Technology Access Foundation Leader Transformation Grant in the amount of $435,000 intended to establish a teaching academy. Sarah Baker, executive director, said the grant is seven years and that academic outcomes and measures will be defined over the life of the program.
Procedural notes: Directors asked for written materials to be submitted to staff when requested, and staff committed to follow‑up information on survey subgroup breakdowns and on IMC complaint/appeal language.
No litigation or binding policy changes were adopted at this meeting beyond the votes recorded above; several policy revisions (Instructional Materials Committee membership and complaint process) were presented and discussed but not acted on during this session.
