Highland High School rebuild: design committee narrows priorities, schedule set for programming and sketches

Architects and members of the Highland High School rebuild design committee presented programming findings and early site concepts, and the board discussed circulation, zoning of functional spaces and phasing for the project.

Committee members described a process of broad stakeholder engagement—coaches, arts teachers, community volunteers and facilities staff—that yielded recommendations on partitioning the campus into priority zones (teacher parking, commons/auditorium and student parking) and the potential to use the commons as an auditorium lobby to reduce costs. The architect explained the next steps: finish programming by mid‑May, then move into schematic and design development; construction documents could take several months after that.

Board and committee members repeatedly emphasized the central role of the budget in shaping final choices. A member summarized that “the budget is the policeman in this process,” and participants agreed the committee would remain involved through the conceptual design phase and be convened again for detailed finish and systems decisions. Board members also discussed circulation, bus loading and options for adjacent land to address parking and practice field needs.

The administration said sketches and multiple concept options will be developed within an agreed cost envelope so the committee and board can review prioritized alternatives before selecting final design documents and bidding.