Highline is refining how we carry out our strategic plan and how we measure progress. We’re also developing the 2026–27 budget, which will require about $8 million in reductions to maintain our long-term financial stability.
That’s why we’re asking for your input through ThoughtExchange. Your feedback will help us clarify priorities, strengthen how we put the plan into action, and align limited resources with our goals.
The ThoughtExchange is open now through February 13. It’s open to staff, families, students and community members. It takes about five minutes.
In the ThoughtExchange, you will:
- Share what success should look like in our schools
- Share input on budget priorities as Highline aligns limited resources with its goals
- Give feedback on the platform so we can improve future engagement
Highline is using a newer version of the platform that includes built-in tools to help organize themes and summarize feedback for review.
Prefer to Share Your Voice in Person?
Highline is also hosting three in-person engagement sessions specifically for families and students, and three for staff. The questions will be similar to what you’ll see in the ThoughtExchange.
Learn about In-Person Engagement Sessions for Families
Learn about In-Person Engagement Sessions for Staff
Why We’re Asking Now
Over the past year, we’ve heard clearly that our strategic direction is the right one. The passage of our levy, along with recent polling and survey results, shows strong alignment around our goals and our Highline Promise.
This winter, we will refine our strategic plan. We do not anticipate changing our four strategic goals, priority areas or our Promise. Instead, we will focus on how we implement them and how we measure progress.
At the same time, Highline — like many districts across Washington and the nation — faces funding challenges as state funding has not kept pace with rising costs. Thanks to disciplined decisions over many years, we are financially stable today and able to stay focused on students and learning. To maintain that stability, we will reduce our budget by about $8 million as we develop the 2026–27 budget.
Clear goals, strategies and measures help everyone understand priorities, focus their work, and see how decisions connect to our broader direction.