Highline's Pre-Election Sustainability Award Draws “Pay-to-Play” Criticism

Just four days before Highline's $595.4 million bond election, the district announced a sustainability award from McKinstry, a $15 million district contractor and $5,000 bond campaign donor. Parent advocate Kristen Price-Joof calls it “the definition of pay-to-play,” questioning why a contractor that funds the campaign, calculates the district's reported energy savings, and honors its client is making headlines so close to the vote.

On Friday, October 30, just four days before voters decide on a $595.4 million construction bond, Highline Public Schools announced it had received a Zero+ Champion of Sustainability Award from McKinstry and Lumen Field. Recognition is scheduled for November 8 at the Seahawks game.

McKinstry, a Seattle-based engineering, construction, and energy services company, has more than $15 million in identified district contracts and project payments since 2022.

The company also contributed $5,000 to the Yes for Highline campaign on June 1, according to Washington State Public Disclosure Commission (PDC) records.

The Contractor and the Campaign

Highline School Board records identify approximately $15.1 million in McKinstry projects since 2022, including HVAC upgrades, administration building improvements, part of the Southern Heights remodel, and energy audits. The figure includes both documented payments and contract amounts, not necessarily total dollars paid.

McKinstry is also among several construction-related companies contributing to the bond campaign. According to PDC records, Cornerstone General Contractors contributed $10,000, Vanir $5,000, and Hutteball + Oremus Architecture $3,000, in addition to McKinstry's $5,000.

These contributions are legal and do not establish wrongdoing, but they highlight the financial interests surrounding a bond that could generate substantial construction work.

More Contracts Ahead for McKinstry?

The proposed bond could create additional contracting opportunities.

Highline has earmarked $18.07 million of its $40 million critical-needs fund for HVAC, fire safety, code compliance, and electrical improvements.

McKinstry has previously performed major HVAC work for the district, although no future contracts under the proposed bond have been established.

Who Calculated the Savings?

Highline's award announcement celebrates an estimated $5.1 million in utility savings since 2007, calculated by McKinstry's own energy engineers.

The same contractor receiving millions in district business, supporting the bond campaign, and presenting the award also calculated the savings being celebrated.

Highline's announcement does not explain whether those calculations were independently verified.

Parent Advocate Questions the Timing

Highline parent and employee advocate Kristen Price-Joof challenged the award and McKinstry's financial relationship with the district in a Facebook comment.

“McKinstry isn't an independent judge,” she wrote. “They are a major donor to the Yes for Highline PAC, and they stand to make tens of millions off the geothermal and mechanical contracts in this exact bond.”

She continued:

“A contractor funding the bond campaign, calculating its own savings stats, and handing a PR award to its own client four days before an election is the definition of pay-to-play.”

Price-Joof also criticized Highline's spending priorities, pointing to classroom cuts and the proposed closure of Maritime High School while the district celebrates a contractor-sponsored award.

Her comments raise questions about the timing of the announcement but do not establish wrongdoing by the district or McKinstry.

Where's the Transparency?

McKinstry says an industry judging panel selects award recipients. However, public announcements do not identify the judges or explain who nominated Highline.

The Zero+ awards program began in 2025. Previous McKinstry announcements followed Seahawks recognition ceremonies, while Highline announced its award nine days before the November 8 ceremony and four days before the election.

The Highline Journal contacted both McKinstry and Highline Public Schools on Monday, November 2, requesting comment by 2 p.m. on the award selection, announcement timing, and financial relationships.

Neither organization responded by the publication deadline.

Questions remain: Who nominated Highline? Who selected the winner? Who checked the savings calculations? And why was the award announced four days before voters decide on nearly $600 million in new school construction?