MISD Board Meeting Recap – June 25, 2026

MIHS English teacher Jane Stafford (left) listens to Class of 2024 alumnus Asha Woerner speak about former MIHS social studies and economics teacher John Stafford, Jane's brother, and the positive impact he had on her and her classmates and why she was honored to speak about the John Stafford Memorial "Student B" Award scholarship.

Mercer Island, WA, June 26, 2026 – The Mercer Island School District School Board held a Regular Meeting on Thursday, June 25 at the District's Administration Building.

View Board Meeting Agenda

The Board meeting started at 1pm and had five items on the Partial Governance Process Monitoring agenda, two items on the Full Governance Process Monitoring agenda, and a Open Public Hearing on MISD’s 2026-27 budget.   

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 – Presentation from Praesidium

The Mercer Island School District is committed to improving systems to make our schools safer and more supportive. To that end, the District partnered with Praesidium, a nationwide abuse-prevention and intervention firm, to undergo a comprehensive risk assessment, including a full audit of the District to review existing policies, procedures and protocols; assess campus environments; and meet with stakeholders. Additionally, Praesidium has provided support and training to our Administration Team.

Following conclusion of the audit, Praesidium prepared a report to highlight areas, based on their "Safety Equation," that may not be fully implemented and to outline any corrective actions that may be recommended. A member of the Praesidium team presented the report virtually to the Board and provided an opportunity for Board Directors to ask questions.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

Amber McKeen from Praesidium presented an overview of the report to the Board via Google Meet. McKeen went over the Praesidium Safety Equation, the scope of Praesidium’s visit to MISD, their key findings and recommendations, and additional considerations.

The Board asked numerous questions of Ms. McKeen during the course of the presentation on the report. Ms. McKeen’s report started at the beginning of the meeting and can be seen on our YouTube channel. The full Praesidium report should be available in the next few business days.

2. Open Public Hearing on the Budget

Board President Burnett opened a public hearing on the 2026-2027 budget after the Praesidium report presentation. The public was invited to appear during the Open Public Hearing on the Budget portion of the meeting to offer comments for or against any part of the District's proposed 2026-27 budget, including the four-year budget plan, or any proposed changes to uses of enrichment funding. The proposed budget is available here and will be provided to any person at the District's Administration Office upon request.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

No community members gave comments on the 2026-27 budget.

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

The Board previewed the draft 2026-27 budget at a special meeting on June 4 and heard a first reading at the regular June 11 meeting. The proposed 2026-227 budget and draft 2026-27 Budget Resolution No. 756 were presented for final review and formal acceptance. The full F-195 report will be available at a later date.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board held a discussion on the 2026-27 budget. The Board voted 5-0 and the Student Representative voted 1-0 to approve Resolution No. 756.

4. Board Policy 1003: Board Job Description - Discussion on Possible Board Position related to State Board of Education Recommendations on Graduation Requirements

The State Board of Education launched the FutureReady initiative in the summer of 2024 with the aim of updating graduation requirements to better prepare students for the future. To ensure stakeholder engagement and public involvement, the Washington State Board of Education convened a task force to propose updates to graduation requirements that will empower students with essential skills while streamlining the graduation framework to promote accessibility and equity.

On May 21, the FutureReady Task Force met to continue discussions on unresolved questions related to credit and subject area requirements as part of its work to develop an initial set of recommendations for revising Washington's high school graduation requirements. This discussion was informed by stakeholder feedback collected by the State Board of Education and recommendations made by FutureReady’s subject-matter expert-led subcommittees.

Recommendations seek to strengthen skills in technology literacy, financial literacy, and cultural competence while also revamping the current framework to integrate essential skills and promote interdisciplinary and inclusive learning.

The Board of Education will hold its regularly scheduled meeting June 23–25 in Pullman. During this meeting, the Board of Education will review input from the last Task Force meeting along with public comment. Members are expected to discuss and finalize a conceptual recommendation for changes to the graduation requirement framework that will be shared publicly for additional feedback before the July Task Force meeting. 

The Board of Education will hold a work session on June 24, starting with a student panel at 9:00 a.m. The Board will accept real-time public comment on June 24 and June 25 at 8:45 a.m.

Final recommendations are expected to be approved at the Board of Education’s meeting in August or September and then officially forwarded to the State Legislature for consideration during the 2027 legislative session. If approved by the Legislature, changes could take effect beginning with the Class of 2031.

For more information on the initiative, link here.

To access the FutureReady Task Force website, link here.

This is an opportunity for the Board to hold discussion around developing/presenting a possible Board position to present to the Board of Education before the recommendations are finalized in August/September.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board held a discussion on the FutureReady initiative. No action was taken by the Board.

5. Board Policy 1800 OE-7: Financial Administration - Resolution No. 758 - To Establish the John Stafford Memorial “Student B” Award Trust Fund

The Board considered approval of Resolution No. 758 - To Establish the John Stafford Memorial "Student B" Award Trust fund. The trust fund is made possible by a generous contribution from MIHS teacher Jane Stafford, the sister of late MIHS teacher John Stafford and executor of his estate. If approved, the trust will award one senior each year for the next 10 years, beginning in 2026, with a scholarship of $1,000 to continue their pursuit of lifelong learning, whether that be in higher education, vocational exploration or an entrepreneurial endeavor. 

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board voted 5-0 and the Student Representative voted 1-0 to approve Resolution No. 758.

After approving Resolution No. 758 the Board moved to Recognitions as one of the two recognitions at this meeting involved the John Stafford Memorial “Student B” Award Trust Fund.

Recognitions

MIHS English Teacher Jane Stafford – Superintendent Rundle recognized MIHS English teacher Jane Stafford as the Benefactor of the John Stafford Memorial "Student B" Memorial Award as outlined in Resolution No. 758 approved by the Board just before the Recognitions portion of the meeting. As executor of the John Stafford Estate, she has generously committed funding to award a $1,000 scholarship to a MIHS senior each year for the next 10 years. In recognition of her generosity, the Board invited Jane to attend the meeting so they could thank her personally. Jane spoke to the Board about her brother and the scholarship. Former Student Representative to the Board and Class of 2024 alumnus Asha Woerner spoke to the Board about the positive impact John had on her and all his students.

District Wellness Coordinator Stephanie Boyer – Superintendent Rundle recognized Stephanie Boyer, for her role in coordinating board meeting meal contributions for the 2025-26 school year and for the many other ways she supports staff and students in the District. The Board and Superintendent Rundle thanked Stephanie for all she does and she spoke to the Board about her role.

6. Board Policy 1605: Monitoring Superintendent Performance and Board Policy 1001: Governance Commitment - Mid-Year Superintendent Evaluation and Contract Extension for Superintendent's Contract of Employment

On May 12, 2022, the Board approved a Contract of Employment to employ Dr. Fred Rundle as Superintendent of the Mercer Island School District. The original three-year contract was extended by amendment on June 22, 2023, for an additional year and amended again on November 9, 2023, to reflect changes to the Superintendent's 2023-2024 compensation. The contract was further amended on June 20, 2024, to extend the contract by an additional year, through June 30, 2027; on December 12, 2024, to reflect changes to the Superintendent's 2024-2025 compensation; and on June 26, 2025, to extend the contract for an additional year, through June 30, 2028. 

The draft sixth amendment to Superintendent Rundle's contract proposes to extend his contract for an additional year through June 30, 2029. No changes to the Superintendent's compensation for 2026-27 are being proposed at this time; however, the amendment proposes time between July 1 and October 1, 2026, for salary negotiations. Approval of any salary changes is anticipated at the Board's tentatively scheduled meeting on October 8, 2026.

Formal action on the amendment is expected and is required annually by June 30 per the contract terms. 

As part of the contract review process and as stipulated in the contract provisions, the Board conducted a mid-year review of Superintendent Rundle's performance pursuant to Board Policy 1605: Monitoring Superintendent Performance. The Board's mid-year evaluation for 2026 is also attached for review. A full summative evaluation for 2026 will occur in February 2026.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board voted 5-0 and the Student Representative voted 1-0 to approve Superintendent Rundle’s contract extension.

The next two items on the agenda taken up by the Board were on the Full Governance Process Monitoring agenda.

7. Board Policy 1800 OE-1: Fundamental 3 - Social/Emotional Learning (L-2)

This represents the annual monitoring of Board Policy 1800, OE-1: Fundamental 3 - Social/Emotional Learning. Fundamental 3 states, in part, that the District will strive to [d]evelop self-awareness, empathy, emotional/social intelligence, responsible decision-making and citizenship in its students.

The report and data describe the work in District schools to meet Fundamental 3. The instructional team considered the revised Superintendent’s Interpretation of Fundamental 3, attached for reference, approved by the Board on March 11, 2021. 

The Teaching and Learning Team will also present proposed changes to the Board’s approach for monitoring the Superintendent’s compliance with Fundamental 3. An overview of the proposed monitoring report will be presented at the meeting, and the new report will be attached to the agenda upon conclusion of the meeting.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board asked questions of District staff. The Board voted 5-0 and the Student Representative voted 1-0 that the Superintendent was in compliance with Fundamental 3.

8. Board Policy 1800 OE-1: Fundamental 4 – Analytical/Critical Thinking for Global Awareness (L-1)

The Board conducted its annual monitoring of Board Policy 1800, OE-1: Fundamental 4 - Analytical/Critical Thinking for Global Awareness. Fundamental 4 states, in part, that the District will strive to [e]ngage students in analytical and critical thinking in order to identify and address global concerns. Monitoring will be based on the indicators approved by the Board at its meeting on April 22, 2021, with reference to the monitoring report attached below.

The report describes the work in District schools to quantitatively and qualitatively meet the goals of Fundamental 4. Instructional staff also considered the revised Superintendent's Interpretation, which was approved by the Board on March 11, 2021, and is included below for reference.

The Teaching and Learning Team also presented proposed changes to the Board’s approach for monitoring the Superintendent’s compliance with Fundamental 4. An overview of the proposed monitoring report will be presented at the meeting, and the new report will be attached to the agenda following conclusion of the meeting.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board asked questions of District staff. The Board voted 5-0 and the Student Representative voted 1-0 that the Superintendent was in compliance with Fundamental 4.

After the Full Governance Process Monitoring agenda, the Board took up Public Input, the Consent Agenda, Superintendent Report, Board Director Announcements, Inquiries and Reports and the Legislative Report.  

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.

Consent Agenda – The Consent Agenda was passed 5-0 by the Board and 1-0 by the Student Representative.

Superintendent Report – Superintendent Rundle told the Board he will be looking for recommendations from the Board about updating Operational Expectations (OEs). He told the Board about an ADA access ramp that will be built for community members to access the Administration Building boardroom for Board meetings from the parking lot behind the building.

Board Announcements

Director Burnett – Director Burnett spoke about wrapping up her first year on the Board. She also spoke about touring the schools with Director of Facilities Tony Kuhn to learn more about District buildings. She spoke about receiving the report from the Praesidium and the work of the Student Safety & Well- Being Committee now that they will have the Praesidium report.  

Director Lee – Director Lee thanked the facilities team for the recent tour of our buildings and seeing all the work that the team does to keep the buildings running.

Director Martinez – Director Martinez spoke about the work PTA Advocacy is doing and planning. She spoke about the benefit of the Mercer Island Rowing Club.  

Director Bradley – Director Bradley attended a talk by Glenn Youngkin, former governor of Virginia, on the 250^th anniversary of the United States. In the talk Youngkin encouraged citizens to get involved recognized the work School Board Directors do around the country.

Director Tucker – Director Tucker thanked Tony Kuhn and the facilities team for the tour of MIHS and seeing what went on behind the scenes to keep the school running.

Legislative Report – The Board held a discussion on a letter they will be sending to the Washington legislature about school funding.

After the Legislative Report the meeting moved to an Executive Session at 5:00pm to discuss litigation or potential litigation pursuant to RCW 42.30.110(1)(i).

The Regular meeting was reconvened at 5:30pm.

The meeting adjourned at 5:31pm.

We encourage community members to watch the YouTube recording of the June 25 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.