Highline Public Schools broke ground on Wednesday, April 4 on a new middle school at 2405 South 142nd in SeaTac. The ceremony was held under soggy Seattle conditions but the enthusiasm for the new project was evident in all those who spoke at the event.
In early March the Washington State legislature passed the 2018 supplemental capital budget, which included $2.95 million in funding for the new school. This appropriation will fund the construction of an additional science classroom and two general education classrooms.
In attendance at the event were:
- Sen. Karen Keiser
- Sen. David Frockt
- Rep. Mia Gregerson
- SeaTac City Council Members
- SeaTac Deputy Mayor Erin Sitterley
- School Board Member Bernie Dorsey
- Superintendent Susan Enfield
The 950-student middle school for sixth through eighth grade students will start taking shape on the 19-acre site. A flat building pad is ready and waiting for Bayley Construction to build a facility designed by Integrus Architecture. The new school will be named later this spring and is on schedule to open in fall 2019.
Superintendent Susan Enfield thanked Senator Karen Keiser, Senator David Frockt and Representative Mia Gregerson for continuing the work of funding education for all students.
Sen. Frockt, from North Seattle collaborated with Sen. Keiser this March to send an extra $2.9 million Highline’s way, which will help pay for dedicated dry and cold storage at the middle school to support the whole district and eliminate rent costs.
School Board Member Bernie Dorsey thanked Rose Clark and Aaron Garcia, co-chairs of Highline’s community-led Capital Facility Advisory Committee for their leadership in planning the the successful 2016 bond that includes funds for the $93.3 million new middle school. Garcia is also co-chair of the Yes for Highline campaign that led the bond effort.
Diana Garcia, director of education specification & transition planning for Highline, introduced Vicki Fisher as the new planning principal for the middle school. Fisher has served as a principal of elementary and middle school, and is the current principal of Highline High School. She brings her system knowledge to help build and lead the new school.
City of SeaTac Deputy Mayor Erin Sitterley, Councilmembers Pam Fernald and Peter Kwon, and City Manager Joe Scorcio were on hand for the groundbreaking.
Integrus Architecture Principal Architect Brian Carter and Bayley Construction President Steve Grasso said they are thrilled to be partners on the new middle school.
