Highline Approves $9 Million Transportation Contract Amid Oversight and Transparency Concerns

The Highline School Board unanimously approved a three-year, $9 million contract with HopSkipDrive on Wednesday, August 19, in a rushed vote that left key financial, safety, and accountability questions unanswered and drew criticism over the lack of a separate review period for such a significant expenditure.

The Los Angeles-based company uses an online platform to connect school districts with drivers. Highline may spend up to $3 million annually transporting general education students, students with Individualized Education Programs, students in foster care and those protected under the federal McKinney-Vento Act. The district spent approximately $2.5 million with HopSkipDrive last year.

No one disputed that students deserve safe, reliable transportation. Questions focused on oversight, cost, and why Highline increasingly relies on private companies instead of district-employed, union-represented drivers.

Millions in outsourced transportation

A former Highline bus driver questioned the district’s claim that a regional driver shortage makes outsourcing necessary.

“If Highline cannot find drivers, where are HopSkipDrive and the other private companies getting theirs?” she asked.

Combined with annual contracts of $750,000 for EverDriven and $350,000 for First Student, Highline authorized up to $4.1 million in outsourced student transportation for the coming school year.

Three-year contract approved with questions left unanswered

During the HopSkipDrive presentation, staff could not quantify the savings from choosing three years instead of one. They also could not provide ridership trends or explain what government reimbursement may be available.

No report was presented showing completed or missed rides, complaints, costs or safety incidents. Staff assured directors that HopSkipDrive drivers undergo significant background checks but provided few details.

Director Stephanie Tidholm asked whether Highline could exit the agreement early. When staff could not provide the details, Tidholm reviewed the contract herself and reported back that either party may terminate it without cause with 30 days’ notice.

Last year, the board introduced a one-year HopSkipDrive contract in August and waited until September to vote. This year, it introduced and approved a three-year agreement on the same night.

The board report said legal negotiations delayed the planned July 1 introduction and warned that waiting until September 2 could delay transportation. It did not explain why a September vote worked last year but posed an unacceptable risk this year.

Why the rush?

During public testimony, the board was asked to postpone the decision and follow last year’s process. Another public commenter asked for greater transparency. No director moved to delay the vote.

The rushed approval adds to transparency concerns as Highline asks voters to approve major bond and technology levy measures. Will voters trust the district with more money if major contracts are approved before all questions are answered?

The contract passed 5–0.