[EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a Letter to the Editor, written and submitted by a verified resident. It represents the opinion of the author, and does not necessarily reflect the views of South King Media or its staff.]

The Highline Capital Facilities Advisory Committee (CFAC), the community-led facilities planning committee, has spent the past two years developing a proposal to replace aging schools and make critical capital improvements to ensure that Highline students have the schools they need to succeed.

Some neighbors have raised concerns about the proposal to rebuild Cascade Middle School on the Salmon Creek School property. As a member of CFAC, I want to share why the committee is recommending this plan to the school board. There are two main reasons:

1. Fiscal responsibility

Relocating Cascade is the most efficient use of taxpayer dollars and reflects the district’s responsibility to be a good steward of public funds. The Salmon Creek property provides more buildable area than the current Cascade site and offers greater flexibility to create a better functioning layout for students and staff. Due to constraints on the existing Cascade property, including wetlands and a large sewer line, rebuilding on the current site would cost taxpayers approximately $44 million more than rebuilding at Salmon Creek. Relocating the school makes more effective use of public funds while also delivering a stronger educational environment for students and teachers.

2. Providing equally modern middle schools for all Highline neighborhoods

The bond recommendation includes replacement of the district’s three aging middle schools. This means students in every part of Highline will have access to a middle school that meets today’s safety, accessibility, and educational standards. Leaving one middle school out of the bond would likely mean rebuilding it years later, when construction costs will be substantially higher.

It is understandable that nearby residents have concerns about construction and increased activity in their neighborhood. The district has completed an initial site analysis, and the bond would fund a more comprehensive review and planning process. The district is committed to engaging neighbors throughout design and development and has a long history of working collaboratively with communities during school projects.

One example was the district’s engagement process after Salmon Creek Elementary closed and New Start High School moved into the building. Through that process, the district provided land for a community garden, which became the beloved Shark Garden.

The future relocation of the garden due to construction of a new school has understandably prompted concern. However, I understand the group managing the garden has already identified a new location where the garden can continue to grow and thrive for years to come.

Highline has a decades-long record of thoughtful facility planning, community engagement, and delivering schools on time and within budget. These projects have consistently become long-term assets for the neighborhoods they serve.

I strongly believe CFAC’s recommendation represents the most fiscally responsible path forward while meeting the safety and educational needs of middle school students across every corner of the district. I encourage all Highline voters to learn more through the district’s Bonds & Levies webpage here.

– Mika Sundberg

Do you have an opinion you’d like to share with our highly engaged local Readers? If so, please email your Letter to the Editor to scott@southkingmedia.com and, pending review and verification that you’re a real human being, we may publish it. Letter writers must use their full name, as well as provide an address and phone number (NOT for publication but for verification purposes).