MISD Board Meeting Recap – January 29, 2026

Left to right: Director of Special Services Hannah Bolivar, Director of Post-Secondary Success Jamie Prescott, and Assistant Superintendent Compliance, Legal Affairs, & Human Resources Erin Battersby speak to the Board during the meeting.

Mercer Island, WA, January 30, 2026 – The Mercer Island School District School Board held a Regular Meeting on Thursday, January 29 at the District's Administration Building.

View Board Meeting Agenda

The Board meeting started at 5pm in the District Administration Building with Board Announcements, Inquiries, and Reports.

Board Announcements, Inquiries, and Reports

Director Burnett – Director Burnett thought the Board study session on January 22 went well. She enjoyed attending the IMS wrestling end of season event.

Director Lee – Director Lee complimented the facilities team for the lighting inside and outside of MIHS when she was at school recently for music events.  

Director Martinez – Director Martinez took part in the PTA Advocacy committee meeting regarding their legislative work.

Director Bradley – Director Bradley spoke about the bi-annual study session the Board, Superintendent, and Associate Superintendent. He attended a presentation at IMS on the Say Something app. Bradley met with several community members on the facility naming process. He attended the Superintendent Community Advisory on Wednesday.

Director Tucker – Director Tucker spoke about the study session. She thought it was well run and appreciated the positive attitude of the board in the meeting. Tucker attended the Superintendent Equity Advisory Council.

After Board Director announcements the meeting moved to three of four items on the Full Governance Process Monitoring agenda.

1. Board Policy 1800 OE-9: Communication and Support to the Board (L-1; L-2 for items 3, 14, 16, 17, 18)

This is the annual monitoring of Board Policy 1800, Operational Expectations 9 (OE-9), Communication and Support to the Board. The Administrative Report of Compliance will be reviewed by the Board to determine compliance.

Public Records Log
Withdrawals and Private School Data
MIHS Student Athletics Interest Survey
MIHS Student Athletics Survey Results

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

District staff presented information on public records and District information technology to the Board. The Board also heard from District staff about Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) funding and how the ALE program is currently progressing. Superintendent Rundle presented information to the board on the number of athletes and athletic teams at IMS and MIHS. District staff presented information and data on restraint and isolation of students on MISD schools. The Board asked questions of District staff on all of these subjects.

The Board voted 5-0 and the Student Representatives voted 2-0 that the Superintendent was in compliance with Board Policy 1800 OE-9.
 

2. Board Policy 1800 OE-6: Budgeting/Financial Planning (L-1)

The Board will conduct its annual monitoring of Board Policy 1800 OE-6, Budgeting/Financial Planning. The Administrative Report of Compliance will be reviewed and a determination of compliance will be made. For reference, a copy of the monitoring report approved by the Board on January 30, 2025, was also available to the Board.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

District staff presented financial data to the Board. The Board voted 5-0 and the Student Representatives voted 2-0 the Superintendent was in compliance with all items of OE-6 except Item 3.

3. Board Policy 1800 OE-8: Asset Protection (L-1)

The Board will conduct its annual monitoring of Board Policy 1800 OE-8, Asset Protection. The Administrative Report of Compliance will be reviewed for a determination of compliance. For reference, a copy of the monitoring report approved by the Board on January 30, 2025, was also available to the Board.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

District staff presented information to the Board and the Board asked questions of the staff.  The Board voted 5-0 and the Student Representatives voted 2-0 that the Superintendent was in compliance with 0E-8.

After three of the four Full Governance Process Monitoring agenda items the meeting transitioned to Recognitions and Public Input.

Recognition

Superintendent Rundle had remarks recognizing all MISD school counselors for National School Counseling Week during the week of February 2-6. He also recognized MISD band, orchestra, and choir students who will be performing over the next two weekends.

Public Input

One community member gave Public Input at this meeting.  The community member was Meghan Hamill.

To find out how you can give Public Input at a future Board meeting visit our Public Input page.

After Public Input the Board took up the fourth and final item on the Full Governance Process Monitoring agenda.

4. Board Policy 1800 OE-1: Student-Focused Fundamentals - Fundamental 2 - Highest Learning Standards (L-2; quantitative & qualitative data)

The Board will conduct its annual monitoring of Board Policy 1800, OE-1: Fundamental 2, which states: "Maintain the highest learning standards in the areas of the arts; computer science; educational technology; English language arts; environment and sustainability; financial education; health and physical education; mathematics; science; social studies; and world languages."

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

District staff presented information to the Board and the Board asked questions of the Superintendent and staff. The Board voted 5-0 and Student Representatives voted 2-0 to find the Superintendent in compliance with Fundamental 2.

After the fourth item on the Full Governance Process Monitoring agenda the meeting transitioned to four items on the Partial Governance Process Monitoring agenda.

1. Board Policy 1800 OE-7: Financial Administration - 2025-2026 Financial Dashboard and November and December 2025 Budget Status Reports

District staff will present the financial dashboard for the fiscal year beginning September 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025, as well as the November and December 2025 financial reports. The Board reviewed these three documents.

o   2025-2026 Monthly Board Financial Report

o   November 2025 Budget Status Report

o   December 2025 Budget Status Report

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

District staff presented information to the Board and the Board asked questions of the Superintendent and staff. No action was taken by the Board.

2. Board Policy 1800 OE-9: Communication and Support to the Board - Superintendent’s Recommendation on 2026-2027 Nonresident Enrollment

Board Policy 3141: Enrollment - Nonresident Students provides, in part, that no later than April 15 annually, the Superintendent or designee will advise the Mercer Island School District Board (“Board”) whether it is recommended that the District or a portion thereof be open to new, nonresident student enrollment. The Board will determine whether to accept, amend, deny, or return the recommendation for further analysis and review.

The Superintendent's formal recommendation regarding nonresident enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year was presented to the Board. The Superintendent is encouraging a decision from the Board as the District must adhere to required application deadlines.

Notwithstanding any decision, all applications for nonresident attendance will be considered equally on a fair, rational, and equitable basis as outlined in policy and pursuant to RCW 28A.225.225 and WAC 392-137-205(1).

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

Superintendent Rundle and District staff presented information to the Board on Open Enrollment and the Board asked questions. The Board voted 5-0 and the Student Representatives voted 2-0 to approve the Superintendent’s recommendation on Open Enrollment.

3. Board Policy 1800 OE-9: Communication and Support to the Board - Superintendent’s Recommended Policy Revisions to Board Policy 3141: Enrollment - Nonresident Students (1st rdg)

The Superintendent recommends revising Board Policy 3141: Enrollment - Nonresident Students to align with the recommendation issued in agenda item 4B. Specifically, the Superintendent is recommending that the District remain open for nonresident student enrollment in grades 6 through 12 where capacity permits.

The Superintendent is encouraging a decision from the Board as the District must adhere to required application deadlines; however, the Board has the option to postpone action until the next regular board meeting on February 12.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board voted 5-0 and the Student Representatives voted 2-0 to adopt the amended changes to Board Policy 3141. The Board then voted 5-0 and the Student Representatives voted 2-0 to adopt Board Policy 3141.

4. Board Policy 1005: Board Officer and Board Member Duties - Continued Discussion on Board Communication (10 minutes)

The Board held initial discussion at its study session on January 22 on developing communication norms; the best way for directors to communicate with one another, staff and the Superintendent; and ways to increase communication with the community. This is an opportunity for further discussion on these topics.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board discussed developing communication norms. No action was taken by the Board.

The last three items on the agenda for the meeting were the Consent Agenda, Superintendent Report & Announcements, and the Legislative Report.

Consent Agenda – The Consent Agenda was passed 5-0 by the Board and 2-0 by the Student Representatives.

Legislative Report – Director Martinez spoke about the current legislative session and the status of bills for education funding. She also spoke about the E-motorcycle bill being endorsed by the City of Mercer Island. Director Bradley spoke about bills involving professional development for educators and for minimum fund balances for school districts.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:20pm.

We encourage community members to watch the YouTube recording of the January 29 Board Meeting to learn more about what was discussed by Board Directors. 

To see when the next Board Meeting is visit the Meeting Calendar and Agendas page.

To learn more about MISD’s School Board Directors visit our School Board Information page.