COMMISSION 
AGENDA MEMORANDUM                        Item No.          11a 
BRIEFING ITEM                            Date of Meeting      October 12, 2021 

DATE :     September 10, 2021 
TO:        Stephen P. Metruck, Executive Director 
FROM:    LeeAnne Schirato, Sr. Commission Specialist 
SUBJECT:  Maritime High School Commission Update 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 
A Changing Tide: A Strategic Plan for Maritime and Ocean Sciences High School in Greater
Seattle was published in February 2020. On March 10, 2020, the Port of Seattle Commission
passed a motion supporting the recommendations in "A Changing Tide" that align with the
port's Century Agenda goal to use our influence as an institution to promote workforce
development.
The Port is at the forefront of ensuring that the regional workforce evolves to meet industry
demands. It also has the responsibility to drive solutions that will support workers, families,
communities and the Port of Seattle to reach their full potential in current and future
economies. From hosting a 2019 summit attended by nearly a hundred stakeholders to touring
the New York Harbor School to partnering with the Northwest Maritime Center, Highline Public
Schools and the Duwamish River Clean Up Coalition, the Port's investment has supported the
successful transition of the Maritime High School from a port-driven inquiry to a communitydriven
reality. Highline Public Schools welcomed the first class of incoming 9th graders to
Maritime High School on September 2, 2021.
Work Funded by the Port in 2021 
The Port entered  into  a contract with  the  Northwest  Maritime  Center in  the  amount of
$49,999 for a scope of work to include: 
Project Management & Work Plan 
Pro Forma Financial Projections 
Fundraising 
Instructional Design 
The Port also entered into an interlocal agreement with Highline Public Schools in the amount
of $125,000 for a scope of work to include: 
Instructional Design 

Template revised January 10, 2019.

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. _11a_                               Page 2 of 3 
October 12, 2021 
Community Engagement 
Partnership Development 
Family and Student Engagement 
Staff Development 
Work Accomplished in 2021 
Development of Advisory Board 
Engagement with over 150 Community Collaborators 
Approval from the State Board of Education for a Credit-Based Graduation Waiver  a
necessary step to facilitate project-based learning. 
o   Students  will  engage  in  project-based  learning,  working  with  teachers,
community partners and industry experts in hands-on experiences; an innovative
transcript will demonstrate their learning across all academic subject areas. 
Community Engagement 
o   Duwamish Valley Community Winter Event
Informational mailers (English, Spanish Vietnamese, Somali, Khmer) sent
to all residences in Georgetown and South Park 
o   2 Careers in Maritime Webinars and Panel Discussions 
o   2 Boat-based Maritime Education Events 
o   Duwamish River Festival 
Confirmed Maritime Academic Focus Areas 
o   Marine Construction 
o   Vessel Operations 
o   Ocean Resources and Research 
Curriculum development 
o   Student learning will center on the environment, marine science, and maritime
careers working on or near the water. Students will engage in integrated
projects, learning across all high school content areas. 
o   By graduation, students will have the skills to launch a maritime career and will
also be ready to continue studying in a 2 or 4-year college. Regardless of a
student's life path, attendance in this school will enhance their understanding of
the natural world, increase their competency in practical skills, and offer them a
greater awareness of the career opportunities of the sea and beyond. 
Launch of the region's first Student-centered, Equity-driven, Maritime-focused public
high school. 
The Future of Maritime High School 
Recruitment 
o  8th grade engagement 
o  2021 class of 34, future classes of 100 and a student body of 400 


Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).

COMMISSION AGENDA  Action Item No. _11a_                               Page 3 of 3 
October 12, 2021 
Continued Curriculum Development 
o   Refine 9th grade program 
o   Develop 10th grade program 
o   Build infrastructure for 11th-12th grade specialty areas and internships 
Long Term Budget Planning 
o  A Pro Forma Financial Assumption to be completed in Q4 2021. 
o  The Northwest Maritime Center has agreed to champion the fundraising efforts.
The 2021-2022 fundraising goal is $1.6M. The Maritime High School will continue
to require funding. First-year funding will include start-up costs, as well as
support for the first class of students. As the school grows to full enrollment of
400, funds will be required in addition to the state per-student contributions
that come from the state of Washington. 
Capital Planning 
o  Initial capital planning is currently underway.  The goal is for the creation of a
standalone Maritime High School located in the Duwamish Valley, considered
both  vulnerable  and  incredibly  diversesocioeconomically,  racially  and
culturally.  A  key  component  of  this  comprehensive  effort  is  to  provide
opportunities that connect community to the maritime industry in their own
backyard. 
ATTACHMENTS TO THIS BRIEFING 
1.  Interlocal Agreement 
2.  Motion 2020-05 
3.  Changing Tide 
4.  Presentation Slides 
PREVIOUS COMMISSION ACTIONS OR BRIEFINGS 
April 13, 2021  The Commission authorized an Interlocal Agreement with Highline Public
Schools, Maritime High School. 
March 10, 2020  The Commission passed Motion 2020-05, a motion supporting the
recommendations in "A Changing Tide" that align with the port's Century Agenda goal to use
our influence as an institution to promote workforce development.




Template revised June 27, 2019 (Diversity in Contracting).