Highline School Board Sends Mixed Messages, Undermining District’s “Sense of Belonging”
The Highline School Board’s January 21, 2026 meeting, which otherwise addressed routine district business, became a platform for political commentary that conflicted with the district’s stated commitments to inclusion, respectful engagement, and transparency.
Board President Joe Van attended the meeting virtually. Vice President Angelica Alvarez was absent.
During directors’ reports, Director Damarys Espinoza discussed her participation in an anti-ICE rally in Olympia, framing the issue as aligned with district values and supportive of students fearful that family members could be deported. Director Blaine Holien followed, emphasizing that “harassment, intimidation, or hateful behavior have no place in our schools.”
The message of Highline as “welcoming and inclusive” was immediately undercut by Director Stephanie Tidholm, who began by encouraging families to engage in strategic planning, but then praised legislation SB 5920 that would discourage “frivolous” and “burdensome” public records requests. Tidholm continued by directing her ire towards “stereotypical Americans,” telling them to examine their ancestry and implying they should return to their places of origin.
District policy sets expectations for respectful conduct. Procedure 1005 – Board Protocol Guidelines requires the board to maintain a respectful demeanor toward the community, and Policy 1400 – Meeting Conduct, Order of Business and Quorum assigns the board president responsibility for maintaining order.
No correction or redirection was offered by President Van or Superintendent Ivan Duran.
Link to Agenda.
Time Stamp for Key Director Reports
- Director Espinoza – 34:25
- Director Holien – 40:05
- Director Tidholm – 43:15
The meeting also included references to a January 20 family engagement meeting on the district’s Strategic Plan that drew only two attendees. While the district publicly encouraged families to participate, additional commentary—particularly from Tidholm—directly countered that invitation, reinforcing mixed messages about who is welcome to engage.
Superintendent Duran announced an online opportunity for community feedback on the Strategic Plan. However, unlike prior engagement efforts, community members have been discouraged from attending in-person sessions where they could learn more or provide direct feedback, raising concerns about transparency.
Absent from the meeting was any discussion of academic performance.
