Twenty-six Highline teachers who earned national board certification in 2009 were honored Jan. 13 by the Highline school board.

They join 33 other Highline teachers who have achieved national certification.

The certification process involves creation of a professional portfolio and a rigorous assessment of teaching practices.

The state provides a $5,090 bonus for nationally certified teachers with an additional $5,000 for those working in "high needs" schools.

In other business at the Jan. 13 board meeting, Superintendent John Welch told board members, "The state budget picture looks bleak right now. It will be a tough road ahead, not just for this year but also for the next biennium.

"I am surprised the number of community people who don't know how this impacts schools."

Welch said community members assume that K-12 funding is protected but schools do much more than what is currently defined as basic education.

The board will be provided with a budget update at its Feb. 12 meeting.

Welch also reported a district arts council has been formed and will make recommendations to the board on school music and arts programs in May. Of the 14 council members, ten are teachers or district staffers, according to Welch.

The board also voted to continue to allow students to walk in June graduation ceremonies if they have a reasonable chance of completing graduation requirements during the summer.

But the board's action also calls for better data collection of who is eligible and tracking of student progress during the summer.

Administrators will bring a recommendation to the board in early fall on a policy for 2011 graduation ceremonies.

District staffers reported that of the 71 students who walked under the special consideration, only 25 completed their graduation requirements before September.

While the students were allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies, only those who completed graduation requirements received high school diplomas.