The big WASL nightmare did not come true for Highline's Class of 2008.

However, almost a third of the senior class did not earn enough class credits to graduate.

This year's high-school seniors were in the first class required to pass the reading and writing portions of Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) in order to graduate.

At the beginning of the school year in September, 110 Highline Public Schools seniors were on track with class credits but had not met state WASL standards and were in danger of not graduating in June.

But, district accountability director Alan Spicciati reported June 25 that only 14 district seniors have not graduated because of failure to meet WASL requirements.

The figure was 27 students as of June 12, but 13 students received records corrections, special education modifications or submitted an alternative portfolio, Spicciati said.

According to district statistics, 98 percent of Highline Class of 2008 met WASL requirements.

"The WASL progress was tremendous," Spicciati declared.

He credited counselors, teachers, principals and support staff for making "the Class of 2008 the best tracked group of students in Highline history."

Superintendent John Welch said Highline educators have "shifted to doing whatever it takes" to make students successful.

He cited Evergreen High where staffers took the senior class to Camp Waskowitz, the district's outdoor education facility near North Bend, to work out individual plans for each student.

Max Silverman, director of high schools, presented a more sobering picture by reporting that 31 percent of Highline seniors did not graduate on time because they did not earn enough class credits. Also, 33 to 40 percent of those who needed to pass a math class failed.

Deputy Superintendent Carla Jackson said summer school classes will be offered.

Spicciati noted credit deficiency is also a major issue for students who will be seniors in September.

"We need to find ways to catch up on credits," Spicciati added.

At the June 25 board meeting, Welch also announced the district would hire a geotechnical expert to analyze the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Emerald Point Condominium project.

The condos are proposed to be built above Seahurst Park. Developers have requested the district sell or grant an easement for a corner of the district's Burien Heights site. The developers plan to build an access road through a corner of the site.

Board president Julie Burr Spani said the board should consider more than finances in deciding whether to grant the developers' request. She also suggested the district consult an attorney.

Spani is the executive director of the foundation for the district's marine science lab located in Seahurst Park.

Marvin Jahnke of Neighbors of Seahurst Park, a group fighting the development, charged that in some areas the final EIS is weaker that the draft EIS. He noted his group filed an appeal of the final EIS on June 10.