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This document presents an overview of Career and Technical Education (CTE) at Highline Public Schools in the Seattle area, led by CTE Director Chance Gower. The district offers 92 courses across 18 schools in pathways such as Agriculture, STEM, Health, and Skilled and Technical trades, serving nearly 6,000 middle and high school students. Students have opportunities to earn college credits and industry certifications, and can now fulfill graduation requirements through a CTE Pathway.

This September 2022 presentation by Highline Public Schools Chief Academic Officer Jenniffer Reinig outlines the district's core promise to ensure every student is known by name, strength, and need, and graduates prepared for the future they choose. It highlights three key areas for delivering on that promise: continued partnership and innovation, a Superintendent Entry Plan, and the Highline Schools Bond. Note that this document focuses on school district academic priorities and does not contain information related to Sea-Tac Airport noise policy.

A 2021 University of Washington study found that ultrafine air pollution particles from road and aircraft traffic near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport were infiltrating nearby school classrooms, with indoor levels reaching roughly half of outdoor concentrations before any intervention. Installing portable HEPA air purifiers reduced classroom ultrafine particle levels to about one-tenth of outdoor levels, cutting overall particle concentrations by an estimated 70%. A follow-up Phase 2 study is now underway in 30 Washington schools to examine longer-term air quality improvements and their effects on student health and academic performance.

In October 2020, the City of Burien considered joining Des Moines, Federal Way, Normandy Park, and SeaTac in funding a $62,500 University of Washington study examining how ultrafine particles from aircraft emissions penetrate school buildings near Sea-Tac Airport. The first phase of the study would assess the air filtration efficiency of five schools located north and south of the airport, while a proposed second phase ($250,000) would test interventions to improve indoor air quality and measure their impact on student health and academic performance. Each participating city was asked to contribute $12,500, with the City Manager recommending approval of an Interlocal Agreement to move the project forward.

This EPA document explains how poor indoor air quality (IAQ) in schools can harm students' health and academic performance, causing absences due to respiratory illnesses and reducing the ability to concentrate, calculate, and remember. Studies show that high pollution levels, inadequate ventilation, and improper temperature and humidity control contribute to these problems. The EPA recommends schools use the IAQ Tools for Schools Kit to identify and address indoor air quality issues at little or no cost.

WAC 246-366-110 sets sound control standards for Washington State school classrooms, requiring that background noise in new construction not exceed NC-35 on the noise criterion curve, with actual noise levels capped at 45 dBA during normal operation. Industrial and vocational classrooms have separate limits, with ambient noise not to exceed 65 dBA when exhaust systems are running. In music and vocational education areas, student noise exposure is strictly regulated by duration, and hearing protection must be provided if exposure limits are exceeded.