As reported here last Friday, Seattle Public Schools is considering closures again, and now we learn its neighbor to the south is too. A reader with a child at Maritime High School, part of Highline Public Schools, forwarded an announcement sent to families this afternoon by HPS superintendent Dr. Ivan Duran, saying he’s recommending closing MHS, a specialty school focused on its namesake industry:
I am writing to share difficult news about the future of Maritime High School.
I am recommending to the school board that we close Maritime High School at the end of this school year. This is not a recommendation I make lightly. …
Why I am Recommending Closure
Maritime opened six years ago with the expectation that enrollment would start small and grow over time. Unfortunately, enrollment has not grown as anticipated.
At the same time, Highline is facing significant budget challenges. We have already made approximately $8 million in cuts this school year and recently announced another $5 million in anticipated reductions for next year. We face difficult choices about how to support students and schools across Highline.
There are three reasons for the recommendation:
Enrollment: Funding is largely driven by enrollment. After six years, enrollment has not reached the level needed to sustain the current model. Maritime currently has 83 students. Enrollment has declined over the past three years with 13 students enrolled in ninth grade, despite our best efforts to increase enrollment.
Financial Sustainability: Highline has used additional district resources and funding from outside partners to maintain the program. Continuing that level of support is not sustainable. While outside funding has helped, it cannot make up for the gap between current enrollment and the resources needed to operate the school.
Facility Needs: Maritime is currently operating at an interim site [in Des Moines]. Given significant facility needs across Highline and limited capital resources, leaders do not anticipate securing a permanent facility for Maritime in the foreseeable future.
What Happens Next
The school board will make the final decision about whether Maritime will close. Before voting, board members will have opportunities to hear from students, families, staff and community members.
November 18: School board meeting with an opportunity for public testimony.
December 2: Public hearing where the Maritime community can share input. More details about time, location and public testimony sign up will be shared soon.
December 9: School board meeting with an opportunity for public testimony. The board is scheduled to vote on the closure recommendation.
Staff, students and families may give comments to the school board by signing up for public testimony.
If the school board approves the recommendation, Maritime will close at the end of June 2027. …
Even outside the district, Maritime has been often touted as one way to help ensure a continued labor pipeline to the maritime industry that plays such a large role in our area.