MISD Board Meeting Recap – May 28, 2026

Mary Wayte with the School Board during the Board meeting. 

Mercer Island, WA, May 29, 2026 – The Mercer Island School District School Board held a Regular Meeting on Thursday, May 28 at the District's Administration Building.

View Board Meeting Agenda

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

The Board meeting started at 5pm and had eight items on the Partial Governance Process Monitoring agenda and one item on the Full Governance Process Monitoring agenda. Board President Stephanie Burnett indicated at the start of the meeting she would have to leave the meeting at 6:45pm.  

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

1. Board Policy 1800 OE-10: Instructional Program - Core Curriculum Adoption for the 2026-2027 School Year (Spanish, Grades 7-12; Auténtico)(1st rdg)

Board Policy 1800 OE-10 calls for the Superintendent to, "Bring all textbook and instructional materials that require board approval, as described in Board Policy 2020, as a discussion item prior to a vote and notify the Board when core materials have new editions representing cumulatively significant changes from previously approved materials." Pursuant to approval at its May 12 meeting, the Instructional Materials Committee is recommending adoption of Auténtico as the new curriculum for Spanish 1-4, offered to students in grades 7-12. The Spanish team at IMS and MIHS reviewed materials from two different vendors and determined that Auténtico by Savvas offers a robust curriculum that will best meet the needs of District students. Auténtico lessons promote language acquisition through authentic materials, meaningful communications tasks, and scaffolded progression that supports a wide range of proficiency levels. Teachers benefit from ready-to-use lessons, assessments and differentiation tools. The curriculum aligns with proficiency-based standards and prepares students with a solid foundation for AP Spanish Language and Culture. 

Copies of the Auténtico textbooks were made available for preview at the District Administration Building, and the texts were highlighted on the IMS and MIHS websites. Access to a feedback form was also made available to allow community members to provide comments on the recommended texts.

Members of the review team were in attendance to present on the curriculum materials. The formal recommendation from the Instructional Materials Committee was presented to the Board.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board asked several questions of District staff. The Board voted 5-0 and the Student Representatives voted 2-0 for the District to adopt Auténtico as the new Spanish curriculum.

2. Board Policy 1800 OE-11: Facilities and Capital Assets - Update 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. The Board has had the opportunity to submit questions and to review information presented at October 24, 2024, and November 14, 2024 Board meeting for the 2025 failed bond measure.

Brandy Fox, Owner's Representative, was present to provide additional information on a prospective February 2027 bond proposition to address matters of critical concern, specifically replacing the failing HVAC system and the aging fire alarm system at MIHS. This information is being offered to assist the Board as they consider short- and long-term fiscal planning.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board asked several questions of District staff. The Board asked District staff to present at a future Board meeting on questions they had.  

3. Board Policy 1800 OE-6: Budgeting/Financial Planning - Revenue and Expense Projections for 2026-2027

The Board heard an update from District staff on projected revenue and expenses for fiscal year 2026-2027.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board asked several questions of District staff. No action was taken by the Board.

At this portion of the meeting the Board took up Recognitions, Student Representatives Report, and Public Input.

Recognitions

Mary Wayte – Superintendent Rundle announced the District’s 11^th annual Pathfinder Award recipient is 1983 MIHS graduate Mary Wayte whose achievements, strength of character, and citizenship inspire and challenge today’s youth to make significant contributions to humankind. Mary spoke to the Board and students and families in attendance about being named the Pathfinder Award recipient.

Mary was a professional swimmer from 1981 to 1988 and competed in major swimming events including the Pan Am Games, two Olympics, the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, and the World Aquatic Championships.

Mary got her start in swimming on Mercer Island, in the pool that now bears her name, and grew up on an island with committed schools and residents and she embraced the larger world around her and pushed the boundaries of her potential through competitive swimming.

“Mary Wayte exemplifies the spirit of the Pathfinder Award through her extraordinary achievements, leadership, and commitment to excellence,” said Superintendent Rundle. “As a Mercer Island High School graduate, she embraced the strong foundation of our schools and community while pursuing opportunities that inspired others on a global stage. Her accomplishments reflect the creativity, determination, and vision that define our Pathfinder recipients. Mary’s legacy reminds our students that with curiosity, courage, and purpose, they too can make a meaningful impact on the world around them.”

Read the full District announcement on Mary Wayte receiving the 2026 Pathfinder Award.

MIHS Drill Team – Superintendent Rundle recognized the MIHS Drill Team at tonight’s Board meeting for winning the 3A State Championship in the Military category on May 7.

Lucy Dorer – Senior Student Representative to the Board Lucy Dorer was recognized by Superintendent Rundle and the Board for her two-year term on the Board. This is the last meeting Lucy is taking part in as she is graduating on June 9. Lucy spoke to the Board about her two-year term on the Board. And Junior Student Representative to the Board Brody Newcomer spoke to Lucy about her positive impact on him and their partnership as Student Representatives to the Board. 

Public Input

One 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.

Student Representative Report - Student Representatives to the Board Lucy Dorer and Brody Newcomer highlighted activities and accomplishments of District students in their Student Representatives Report to the Board.

After the Student Representative Report the Board continued with the Partial Governance Process Monitoring Agenda.

4. Board Policy 1800 OE-7: Financial Administration - 2025-2026 Financial Dashboard and April 2026 Budget Status Report

District staff presented the financial dashboard for the fiscal year beginning September 1, 2025, through April 30, 2026, as well as the April 2026 financial report. All documents have been attached to the agenda for Board review.

Notes to the Financial Dashboard - Finances through April 30th, 2026

• We are through April, representing 66.6% of the (fiscal/school) year. 
• Expenditures are at 66.6%, right on the 66.6% month-over-month comparison.
• Revenues are at 67.9%, this is over the 66.6% measure, due to the receipt of local taxes/levy dollars received at the end of April. Specifically, the receipt of our EP&O (Educational Programs & Operations) Levy.  

Expenditures

• Basic Education, decrease due to a large Running Start payment in March, hence a decrease and/or drop in expenditures for April.
• Support & Community Services, increase due to the second half payment (+$657k) for the WSRMP (Washington Schools Risk Management Pool).

Revenues

• Local, significant increase (+3.8MM) month-over-month, due to the receipt of our local levy dollars at the end of April. Specifically, the receipt of our EP&O (Educational Programs & Operations) Levy.
• State Apportionment, decrease from March to April due to OSPI (Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction) miscalculating (shorting) the Transportation payment for the month of April. This was an error that affected all districts in the State.
• Federal Grants, decrease month-over-month, due to the receipt/timing of reimbursable federal grants. It should be noted that we submit for reimbursement (roughly) the same time every month, but those funds are not always received in a timely or consistent manner. 
• Other, increase is due to the quarterly payment received from the City of Mercer Island for their part of the Mary Wayte Pool agreement.  

Monthly Fund Balance / Cash-on-Hand

• The fund balance at the end of April was $4,251,227.78. Year-over-year, this is an increase of +$2,195,706. This is mainly due to the Apportionment Advance ($2.5MM) received at the end of February.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board asked questions of District staff. The Board took no action.

6. Post-Monitoring Language Review - Board Policy 1800 OE-7: Financial Administration

The Board conducted its annual monitoring of Board Policy 1800, OE-7: Financial Administration, at its regular meeting on April 23, 2026, and held an initial discussion around potential changes to policy language on May 7, 2026. During post-monitoring language review, the Board directed the Superintendent to present language revisions that would address the challenges the District faces in meeting the compliance obligations set forth in item 5.

This was an opportunity for the Board to review the proposed revisions.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board held a discussion on language revisions for the policy. The Board voted 4-0 and the Student Representatives voted 2-0 for the District to adopt the amended language revisions to the policy. The Board then voted 4-0 and the Student Representatives voted 2-0 for the District to adopt the proposed revisions to Board Policy 1800, OE-7: Financial Administration.

7. Board Policy 1800 OE-6: Budgeting/Financial Planning - Update on Certified / Classified FTE

An FTE, or full-time equivalent, is a unit of measurement used to determine the number of full-time hours worked by all staff employed by the District. A staff member employed to work 40 hours per week would have an FTE of 1.0. In contrast, a part-time employee working only 20 hours per week would have an FTE of 0.5, equating to hours worked that are equivalent to half the hours of a full-time employee. Total FTE classified by activity and as a total for the District is calculated by adding all full-time and part-time FTE. The concept counts total hours worked by all employees rather than the total number of employees. This approach helps the District to better budget, forecast, staff positions and determine wages.

The Board heard from District staff on the anticipated certificated and classified FTE for the 2026-2027 school year. The reports for certificated and classified FTE, which also include a 5-year historical perspective, are attached below for Board review.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

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

After these three Partial Governance Process Monitoring agenda items the Board took up one item on the Full Governance Process Monitoring Agenda.

8. Board Policy 1800 OE-10: Instructional Program (L-1)

The Board conducted its annual monitoring of Board Policy 1800 OE-10, Instructional Program. The Administrative Report of Compliance was presented to the Board for review and determination of compliance.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board voted 4-0 and the Student Representatives voted 2-0 the Superintendent was in compliance with Board Policy 1800 OE-10, Instructional Program.

The last four items on the agenda were the Consent Agenda, Superintendent Report & Announcements, Board Director Announcements, Inquiries, and Reports, and the Legislative Report.

Consent Agenda – The Consent Agenda was passed 4-0 by the Board and 2-0 by the Student Representatives.

Superintendent Report – Superintendent spoke about discussions he had with students about changing graduation awards from valedictorian to magna cum laude and summa cum laude and will have more information for the Board at a future meeting.  

Board Announcements

Director Lee – Director Lee attended the MIHS PTSA Awards.

Director Martinez – Director Martinez indicated she had a lengthy Legislative Report to deliver to the Board.

Director Bradley – Director Bradley attended the final Tier 1 meeting for Islander Middle School and the last PAC meeting at Island Park.

Director Tucker – Director Tucker attended the last Lakeridge PAC meeting of the year.

Legislative Report – The Board heard an update from Director Martinez pursuant to Board Policy 1005: Board Officers and Board Policy 1225: School Director Legislative Program. At the Board's special meeting on April 9, 2026, the Board approved submission of a proposed WSSDA Permanent Position regarding safe learning and working environments in schools. This is an opportunity to discuss suggested revisions to the position. No action will be taken at this time. This item will be included on the June 4, 2026, special meeting agenda for further discussion and action. If approved at that time, the position will be resubmitted to WSSDA by the June 5, 2026, deadline.

The Board recessed after the Legislative Report at 8:05pm to go into Executive Session. The Board returned from Executive Session at 8:35pm.

The meeting adjourned at 8:37pm.

We encourage community members to watch the YouTube recording of the May 28 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.