Updates That Inform the 2026-27 Reduction Plan
We’ve been sharing regular updates on our work to reduce the 2026-27 budget by $8 million to maintain long-term financial stability. This week, we are focusing on two factors that directly inform those decisions: our latest enrollment data and early insights from the Superintendent’s Advisory Leadership Team.
Enrollment and Funding
Highline’s October student count shows enrollment within 1% of projections. We are about 180 students (full-time equivalent or FTE) above expectations. This is good news and reflects strong planning across Highline.
Accurate enrollment is important because the state funds schools based on the number of students we serve. Steady enrollment helps keep funding predictable.
However, stable enrollment does not change the gap between what the state funds and what it actually costs to run schools. State funding continues to fall short of actual needs.
Our local levy fills part of this gap. It supports staff, programs, and services the state does not fully fund. State levy limits mean it cannot cover rising costs on its own.
Over the next few months, we will work with our demographer to project next year’s enrollment. These projections are a key part of building the 2026-27 budget.
Leadership Feedback
The Superintendent’s Advisory Leadership Team (SALT) met to provide feedback on budget development. SALT includes school leaders, central office leaders and the teacher's union president.
At a meeting, members reviewed funding models, looked at strategic plan data and began sharing feedback on what is working well and where barriers remain.
Early themes include:
- A strong commitment to improving instruction, collaboration, and data-driven decision-making
- A belief that ongoing professional learning is essential for improvement
- Continued challenges around staffing, funding and clarity of expectations
This feedback will help guide future budget discussions as departments continue reviewing their budgets and identifying potential reductions.
Budget Development Process
We will share clear updates throughout the year to keep staff, families, and our community informed. Here are the articles we have shared so far:
- May 2025: We outlined the impacts of the new state budget and the underfunding in special education, transportation and basic operations.
- July 2025: The School Board voted to place a levy renewal on the November ballot to help fill the gap in state funding.
- September 2025: We shared more detail about what the levy could support, including programs, services and staff not funded by the state.
- October: Superintendent Ivan Duran shared we must reduce our 2026-27 budget by $8 million to maintain long-term stability.
- November: Department leaders began reviewing budgets to identify potential reductions and efficiencies.