What we do
We know that great schools make safe and thriving communities.
Yes for Highline is a community-led committee of parents, community members, staff, alumni and local business owners who want strong schools in Highline. We work together to support passage of school construction bonds and operating levies for Highline Public Schools.
​
Highline Public Schools encompasses Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, SeaTac and White Center. We want the children in our community to have the same educational opportunities as children in other communities.
​
We all benefit when local schools are strong.
Who we are
We are parents, community members, staff, alumni and local business owners who want strong schools in Highline.
For a long time we were known as Highline Citizens for Schools, but officially rebranded ourselves as Yes for Highline to more accurately represent the diverse community coalition we are building in support of our schools.
​
Meet our campaign president
Kyla Shkerich Blair
Co-Chair
Kyla Shkerich Blair lives in Des Moines and is the director of outreach for U.S. Senator Patty Murray.
Early in her career, Kyla worked for Yes for Highline managing a previous bond campaign.
Recent Successes
2021 Operating Levy
What we did together
The November 2021 levy renewed funding for educational programs so all Highline students have equitable opportunities to succeed in school, including:
​
-
High-quality instruction
-
Academic and social-emotional support for students
-
Health and safety
-
Student opportunities
Voters approved the levy renewal at a rate of 62.5%.
​
​
2020 Technology Levy
What we did together
The two-year, $32.5 million levy addresses the urgent need to support students and teachers with distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic:
​
-
Replace aging computers for students and teachers
-
Ensure all students have access to internet for learning at home
-
Provide training and coaching to help teachers personalize student learning using digital tools
-
Upgrade cybersecurity to protect confidential student and district data
-
Update classroom technology
​
​
2018 Operating Levy
What we did together
The $198 million levy helped closed the gap in state funding for additional staff and programs including:
-
Teachers
-
Support staff
-
School nurses
-
Counselors
-
Social workers
-
Special education staff
-
Outdoor learning experiences at Camp Waskowitz
-
Athletic programs
​
​
2016 Construction Bond
What we did together
The $299 million bond fixed or funded the construction of:
-
New, larger Des Moines Elementary School
-
New Glacier Middle School
-
New Highline High School (Opening fall 2021)
-
Renovated Olympic Interim Site
-
Critical needs (painting, roofing, play toy tiles, and more)
-
Additional classroom buildings
-
Safety & security upgrades
-
Initial designs for new Evergreen, Tyee and Pacific
​
​