MISD Board Meeting Recap – June 11, 2026

MIHS Class of 2026 graduate Amelia Bernson, junior Kate deStwolinski, and junior Kiera Weller with the Board. 

Mercer Island, WA, June 12, 2026 – The Mercer Island School District School Board held a Regular Meeting on Thursday, June 11 at the District's Administration Building. Board Director Julian Bradley was not in attendance and Board Director Maggie Tai Tucker attended via Google Meet.

View Board Meeting Agenda

The Board meeting started at 5pm and had six items on the Partial Governance Process Monitoring agenda, one item on the Full Governance Process Monitoring agenda, and a Board Reorganization agenda item. 

The Board took up the Partial Governance Process Monitoring agenda to start the meeting.

1. Board Policy 1800 OE-9: Communication and Support to the Board - Proposed Revisions to Board Policy 1005: Board Officer and Board Member Duties - (1st rdg)

The Board held discussion at the study session meeting on June 4, 2026, around the board reorganization process and directed the Superintendent to draft policy language shifting the annual organizational meeting for election of a president, vice president and legislative representative(s) to the first regular meeting following the Mercer Island High School graduation ceremony and acknowledging that the legislative representatives will serve in a co-representatives capacity.

The Board was presented markup and clean copies of the proposed revisions to Board Policy 1005: Board Officer and Board Member Duties. As graduation is scheduled for June 9, 2026, the Superintendent recommends approval of the draft policy in order to hold the annual reorganization later in this meeting.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board held a discussion on the revisions. The Board voted 4-0 and the Student Representative voted 1-0 for the District to adopt the revised policy.

2. Board Policy 1800 OE-9: Communication and Support to the Board - Proposed Revisions to Board Policy 1225: School Director Legislative Program (1st rdg)

As noted on the previous agenda item, the Board held discussion at the study session meeting on June 4, 2026, around the board reorganization process and directed the Superintendent to draft policy language acknowledging that the legislative representatives will serve in a co-representatives capacity. To this end, references to junior and senior legislative representatives have been removed and replaced with language formally reflecting the co-representatives status. Additional revisions were made to align election of the legislative representative(s) with that of the Board president and vice president as proposed in the previous agenda item.

The Board was presented with markup and clean copies of the proposed revisions to Board Policy 1225: School Director Legislative Program. The Superintendent recommends approval of the draft policy in order to hold the annual reorganization later in this meeting.

Note that Director Bradley was elected on December 11, 2025, to serve as legislative representative for a two-year term or portion thereof. His term will expire in June 2027.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board held a discussion on the revisions. The Board voted 4-0 and the Student Representative voted 1-0 for the District to adopt the revised policy.

3. Board Policy 1005: Board Officer and Board Member Duties - Annual Organizational Meeting

Board Policy 1005: Board Officer and Board Member Duties, states that the election of a Board president and vice president to serve one-year terms shall occur each year at the first regular meeting in December or as soon thereafter as any and all newly-elected Board members are seated. With the policy revisions proposed in agenda item one approved, the Board will hold elections for these offices at the first regular meeting following the Mercer Island High School graduation ceremony beginning in June 2026 and annually thereafter.

Board Policy 1005 further states that election of a legislative representative to serve a two-year term will occur at the first meeting in June, or at a meeting before the end of the academic year. If the policy revisions proposed in agenda item one are approved, the Board will hold elections for these offices at the first regular meeting following the Mercer Island High School graduation ceremony beginning in June 2026 and annually thereafter.

At the Board's special meeting on June 4, 2026, Board Directors expressed an interest in adopting the changes noted above. As graduation is scheduled for June 9, 2026, the annual organizational meeting is expected to occur on June 11, 2026, following anticipated approval of the revisions to Board Policy 1005: Board Officer and Board Member Duties included in agenda item 2.A. 

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board reorganized and held roll call vote of 4-0 for Stephanie Burnett to be president, a roll call vote of 4-0 for Jody Lee to be vice president and a roll call vote of 4-0 for Cristina Martinez to be a co-legislative representative with Julian Bradley who is currently serving his term as a legislative representative.

4. Board Policy 1800 OE-6: Budgeting/Financial Planning - Resolution No. 756 to approve 2026-2027 Budget (1st rdg)

District staff presented the first reading of Resolution No. 756 to approve the District's budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The 2026-2027 budget document, which the Board previewed at their June 4, 2026, special meeting, has been updated to correct a spelling error on page 6. No action was expected at this meeting. The resolution will be included on the agenda for a second reading and formal action at the Board's June 25, 2026, meeting.

The revised budget document and draft resolution were presented for Board review.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The held a discussion. The Board took no action.

5. Board Policy 1800 OE-9: Communication and Support to the Board - College & Career Readiness Report

In prior years, District staff presented a College & Career Readiness Report as part of the monitoring of OE-10: Instructional Program, item 5. At the Board's request, monitoring transitioned from items 5 and 7 to items 2 and 9 in 2026. The College & Career Readiness Report is also a compliance element for the annual Perkins Grant, which helps fund College & Career Readiness (CCR)/Career & Technical Education (CTE) courses. As a result, reporting by District staff will now be offered as a standalone agenda item.

The College & Career Readiness Report for the 2025-2026 school year was presented for Board review.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board received a presentation from MIHS staff and asked questions about the report and CCR classes at MIHS. No action was taken by the Board.

6. Board Policy 1800 OE-11: Facilities and Capital Assets - Additional Information on Potential Bond Proposition

At the Board's March 26, 2026, regular meeting, a preliminary discussion was held around the potential for a future bond proposition. Link here to review the presentation. The Board has had the opportunity to submit questions and to review information from the failed 2025 bond measure. See the following board meetings: October 24, 2024, and November 14, 2024.

The Board received additional information on short- and long-term bond planning at its May 28, 2026, regular meeting. Link here for more information.

The Board heard a report at this meeting with more detailed information on the prospective February 2027 bond issue. A Future Bond worksheet was also presented to the Board.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

District staff gave a presentation to the Board and the Board asked staff questions. No action was taken by the Board.

7. Board Policy 1003: Board Job Description - Superintendent's Recommendation to Transition from Valedictorian/Salutatorian to Summa and Magna Cum Laude (1st rdg)

At the Board's May 7, 2026, regular meeting, Superintendent Rundle introduced the idea of changing graduation distinction from Valedictorian and Salutatorian to Summa Cum Laude and Magna Cum Laude in order to recognize a larger number of students for their efforts. He provided further information at the May 28, 2026, regular board meeting.

Superintendent Rundle's formal recommendation was presented for Board review. This is an opportunity for the Board to hold further discussion. Formal action may occur following discussion as a first reading, or the Board may elect to place this item on the consent agenda for a second reading and vote at the next regular board meeting.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board asked questions about this recommendation and held a discussion on this recommendation. The Board asked Superintendent Rundle to talk to current students to determine which upcoming school year this recommendation should be implemented.

After the transition from Valedictorian to Summa Cum Laude discussion the Board took up Recognitions and the introduction of the new Junior Student Representative to the Board, and Public Input.

Recognitions

Girl Scouts Gold Awards – Superintendent Rundle recognized three MIHS students who have earned a Gold Award from the Girls Scouts of the USA.  Junior Kiera Weller, junior Kate deStwolinski, and senior Amelia Bernson have all received a Gold Award which is achieved through a Girl Scout’s service to the local, state, national, or global community. These three have already earned a Bronze Award, which is a Troop award for service to their Service Unit and a Silver Award which is for small group service to their community. Gold Award Girl Scouts use everything they’ve learned as a Girl Scout to help address an issue in their community and make a lasting change in their world. Girl Scouts who earn the Gold Award build a team of trusted adults, community leaders and peers who will support them through challenges and cheer on their successes. Each Gold Award recipient spoke to the Board about the issue they addressed in the community.

Boys Soccer – Superintendent Rundle recognized the MIHS boys soccer team for winning the 3A State Championship. The No. 1-seeded MIHS boys team defeated Shorewood, 1-0, to in the Championship Final on May 30 at Sparks Stadium in Puyallup to win the 3A State Championship. Sophomore Dylan Jones scored the game-winning goal for the Islanders, who repeated as state champs and finished the season with a 16-2-1 overall record. The team won 15 consecutive matches to close out their spring campaign and conceded only one goal at state. During its state run, MIHS beat Kennewick, 4-1, in the second round, Lakeside, 4-0, in the quarterfinals and Gig Harbor, 3-0, in the semifinals, before beating Shorewood. Assistant coach Bill Hanson and team members spoke to the Board about winning the 3A State Championship.

Girls Track and Field – Superintendent Rundle recognized the MIHS girls track and field team for winning the 3A State Championship for the second year in a row. The team scored 101 points, more than doubling the score of second place Gig Harbor, who had 50 points. The girls scored in 14 of 18 events and no other boys or girls team in any of three classifications came close to doing this. The team had four event championships. Graduated senior Aaliayh Khan repeated in the Long Jump and also won the triple jump. Sophomore Lauren Balousek won the 400M in a school record 54.80. The 4X400M relay team of Maia Shook, Maddie O’Brien, Rizah Despres, and Lauren Balousek won going away with a time of 3:51.86 and just missing the meet record by 7 tenths of a second. Junior Sarina Sawhney won all three wheelchair throwing events - shot put, discus and javelin. 

Junior Student Representative to the Board - The Board met Kavya Muralidhar, who will be the Junior Student Representative to the Board from 2026 to 2028, and welcomed her to the Board.

Public Input

No community member gave Public Input at this meeting. To find out how you can give Public Input at a future Board meeting visit our Public Input page.

After no Public Input the Board continued with one item on the Full Governance Process Monitoring Agenda.

8. Board Policy 1800 OE-1: Student-Focused Fundamentals - Fundamental 1 - Personalized Learning (L-1)

The Board conducted its annual monitoring of Board Policy 1800, OE-1: Fundamental 1 - Personalized Learning, which states, “Create a personalized learning environment where differentiated instruction, student-centered education, and varied learning opportunities are responsive to students’ strengths, needs, interests, and passions.” Monitoring of this fundamental has occurred annually since January 2011.

The report and information presented describe the work in our schools to meet Fundamental 1. The instructional team considered the revised Superintendent Interpretation of Fundamental 1, which was approved by the Board on October 25, 2018.

The Board selected certain indicators from the Educational Effectiveness Survey (EES) administered by the Center for Educational Effectiveness (CEE) to monitor Fundamental 1. Information about the EES data was presented with a full report of the EES indicators.

2026 Mean Scores

The mean of each category remains largely stagnant. Increases and decreases were modest, moving between 0.1 and 0.2 points in either direction.

• Perceptions of families dipped slightly.
• Perceptions of students remained flat.
• Perceptions of staff trended more positive.

We continue to provide educational experiences that support the District’s values, vision, and mission at the District, school and classroom levels, together with our teachers’ focus on creating a more personalized learning environment for students.

Should the Board wish to request additional data and/or indicators for monitoring, a discussion can be held during post-monitoring language review at the Board’s next regular meeting.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board held a discussion. The Board voted 3-0 and the Student Representative voted 1-0 that the Superintendent was in compliance with Fundamental 1.

After the one Full Governance Process Agenda item the Board continued with the last four items on the agenda which were the Consent Agenda, Superintendent Report & Announcements, Board Director Announcements, Inquiries, and Reports, and the Legislative Report.

Consent Agenda – The Consent Agenda was passed 3-0 by the Board and 1-0 by the Student Representative.

Superintendent Report – Superintendent Rundle spoke to the Board and community about the passing of MIHS sophomore Eliot Abramson last Sunday after a freak accident during a college lacrosse recruiting event. Superintendent Rundle provided the Board with a enrollment update. He recognized MIHS career and college specialist Christy Kenyon who was selected the ARROW 2026 Counselor of the Year for Washington.

Board Announcements

Director Burnett – Director Burnett spoke about our community and MIHS after the passing of Eliot Abramson and acknowledged it has been a tough year for MIHS student. She spoke about attending the Class of MIHS 2026 graduation and the positive energy everyone brought to the ceremony. She attended the PTA Council Awards.

Director Lee – Director Lee attended the MIHS Class of 2026 graduation and the PTA Council Awards. She complimented both MIHS Administrative Assistant Kristin Brintnal and MIHS Principal Nick Wold on the graduation ceremony.

Director Martinez – Director Martinez attended the MIHS Class of 2026 graduation and the PTA Council Awards.

Legislative Report – The Board heard an update from the legislative representatives by Director Martinez pursuant to Board Policy 1005: Board Officers and Board Policy 1225: School Director Legislative Program. The Board discussed this legislative update.

After the Legislative Report the meeting recessed into an Executive Session at 7:35pm to review the performance of a public employee pursuant to RCW 42.30.110.

The Regular meeting was reconvened at 7:50pm.

The meeting adjourned at 7:52pm.

We encourage community members to watch the YouTube recording of the June 11 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.