MISD Board Meeting Recap – October 9, 2025

Mercer Island Schools Foundation President of the Board of Trustees Mara McCune and Executive Director Tammy Shoop present the Board with a check for $952,815.25.

Mercer Island, WA, October 10, 2025 – The Mercer Island School District School Board held a Regular Meeting on Thursday, October 9 at the District's Administration Building. 

View Board Meeting Agenda

The Board meeting started at 3:30pm in the District Administration Building with a Study Session.  

Study Session – Long Range Facilities Plan

The Board heard from Owner’s Representative Brandy Fox of CPM-Seattle who provided a 2023-24 Long Range Facilities Plan update which included a review of capital projects, including facilities improvements and maintenance, performed across the District and at the Mary Wayte Pool in 2024-2025 as well as projects planned for the summers of 2026 and 2027. Additionally, Fox provided information on enrollment and building capacity/ utilization.

Study Session – Educational Program & Operations Levy

After Fox’s presentation the Board held a discussion on the renewal of the Educational Programs & Operations (EP&O) levy. Mercer Island voters approved renewal of the EP&O levy on February 8, 2022. It is anticipated that a renewal levy will be placed on the February 10, 2026, ballot. The proposed levy would fund costs including but not limited to nurses, safety and security, employee costs (including salaries and the seven-period day), instructional materials, special programs, activities and sports, technology systems operation, transportation costs, maintenance of facilities and other non-capital expenses of operating District schools. Superintendent Dr. Fred Rundle had a presentation for the Board about the renewal of the EP&O levy.

The EP&O study session ended at 4:35pm and to utilize the time available the Board moved the Superintendent Report & Announcements up to take place after the study sessions.

Superintendent Report & Announcements – Superintendent Rundle gave the board an update on enrollment in MISD.

MISF Recognition

After the Superintendent Report & Announcements the Board held a recognition for the Mercer Island Schools Foundation (MISF) for their generous contribution of $952,815.25 to MISD. We so value MISF’s dedication to enhancing and improving the quality of education provided to all MISD students and thank our community for supporting our students, staff, and schools.

City of Mercer Island Bond

The Board then moved to a presentation and discussion on the City of Mercer Island bond that is on the November 2025 ballot after the MISF recognition. At the Mercer Island City Council meeting on July 15, 2025, the Council adopted an ordinance that provides for the submission of a ballot measure to issue bonds to fund the design and construction of a Public Safety and Maintenance Facility that will replace the existing Public Works building, maintenance yard, and temporary police facilities.

The Board invited members of the Pro and Con Committees to offer presentations in favor of and in opposition to the bond measure. The Board asked members of the Mercer Island PTA Council to attend the presentations and participate in a discussion with the Board and Committees about the proposition.

After the discussion on the City of Mercer Island bond the Board took up one item on the Partial Governance Process Monitoring agenda.

1. Board Policy 1800 OE-6: Budgeting/Financial Planning - Resolution 747: Authorization of Replacement Educational Programs & Operation Levy (EP&O) (1st rdg)

The current EP&O Levy, which provides additional programming and expanded services beyond basic education, expires in 2026. It is being proposed that a replacement Educational Programs and Operation Levy be submitted to the voters on the February 10, 2026, ballot in a special election. The replacement levy, like the current levy, will be a 4-year levy on Mercer Island property owners to provide funds to properly meet the educational needs of students attending District schools.

The renewal of this levy will allow the District to continue to pay for programs and activities not funded or fully funded by the state as part of basic education, including but not limited to a portion of the cost of special education; a seven-period day at the high school; music, art and PE in the elementary schools; and expanded electives at the high school and middle school.

Based on Board approval, the levy seeks authorization of a tax levy commencing in 2026 for collection in 2027 of $16,000,000, in 2027 for collection in 2028 of $17,000,000, in 2028 for collection in 2029 of $18,000,000, and in 2029 for collection in 2030 of $19,000,000. These figures represent the maximum amounts authorized for collection. On an annual basis, the District must communicate to the Assessor's office the actual levy amount based on enrollment. The actual amount collected may be lower than the proposed rates based on enrollment changes. 

Draft Resolution No. 747 authorizing the replacement EP&O Levy and the District's participation in the local voters' pamphlet for the February 2026 special election was presented for review and discussion as a first reading. A second reading and formal action on the resolution is expected at the meeting on October 23, 2025.

Lee Marchisio, principal attorney at Foster Garvey, attended the meeting to be available to answer questions from the Board.  

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board asked Marchisio several questions. The Board took no action.

Following discussion of Resolution 747 the meeting transitioned to Recognitions.

Recognitions

New York Times How To Writing Contest Award – Superintendent Rundle recognized current ninth grader Shannon Barneson and her eighth-grade language arts teacher Whitney Swope for their recognition by the New York Times with an Honorable Mention Award in the newspaper’s second annual “How-To Writing Contest” for Shannon’s submission “How to Avoid Being Called on by the Teacher”.

The How To contest invites eighth through twelfth grade students to choose any skill, interview an expert on it, and then write a maximum 400-word essay explaining to a general audience how to do the skill. There were over 3,000 entries to the contest and the Times selected 49, including Shannon’s, to be recognized among the 9 Winners, 16 Runner-ups, and 24 Honorable Mentions.

All eighth-grade students at Islander Middle School wrote a How To essay last year as the eighth-grade language arts team incorporated the contest into their curriculum. After completing their essay, the students decided if they would submit their essay to the contest.

New York Times Student Podcaster Awards – Superintendent Rundle recognized six KMIH 88.9 The Bridge students for receiving top honors in the 8th Annual New York Times Student Podcast Contest, a prestigious international competition that drew more than 1,600 submissions from around the world.

Two students from KMIH earned First Place recognition. Sophomore Samantha Back won for her podcast “From Seoul To Swap Meets” which told a moving story about her immigrant grandparents and the generational legacy they’ve passed on. Sophomore Eric Shao also received First Place for his podcast “Keeping Timeless Tales Timeless and Intact” which explored the revival of old books and the timeless value of physical literature.

Three other students were named Runners-Up. Juniors Audrey and Jayne Tintle shared the incredible story of their mother—who was born a quintuplet—and the family’s extraordinary history in their podcast “The 50th Anniversary of the Cincinnati Quintuplets”. Class of 2025 graduate Sam Paddor created a deeply reflective piece titled “Build, Bend, Break: An Instrument’s Life Cycle” about the journey and lifespan of musical instruments, from creation to reinvention.

Junior Megan Opati received an Honorable Mention for her powerful story "The 1.4%" about being part of the 1.4% of African American students at MIHS and what that means for identity, belonging, and voice.

The New York Times Podcast Contest challenges teens to craft an original five-minute podcast about almost anything. This year’s winners were selected for their creativity, journalistic integrity, and ability to spark curiosity or emotion—proof that our Mercer Island High School students have powerful stories to share when given the mic.

Student Representatives Report – Student Representatives to the Board Lucy Dorer and Brody Newcomer updated the Board on events at each school in the district in September and early October.

Public Input

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

Robert O’Callahan

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

After Public Input were three items on the Partial Governance Process Monitoring agenda the Board took up.

There were three items on the Partial Governance Process Monitoring agenda the Board took up after Public Input.

2. Board Policy 1800 OE-9: Communication and Support to the Board - Mercer Island School District Improvement Plan

District staff presented the 2024-2029 District Improvement Plan (DIP), represented as the Five-Year MTSS Implementation Plan. MTSS is an acronym for Multi-Tiered System of Supports and is a framework for enhancing the implementation of evidence-based practices to achieve important outcomes for every student. The purpose of the DIP/ Implementation Plan is to provide direction for the organization as a whole.

In late October and November, leaders of each of the District's six schools will present their School Improvement Plans (SIPs). It is the District's intention that schools align their SIPs to this larger improvement effort.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board took no action.

3. Board Policy 1800 OE-9: Communication and Support to the Board - Opportunity for Side-by-Side Review of Board Policy and Revised Procedure 3241: Student Discipline

At the Board's meeting on September 11, 2025, the Board adopted policy changes to Board Policy 3241: Student Discipline. The policy was revised to reflect changes in the law and to align better with WSSDA Model Policy as well as for readability and clarity. At the time of approval, the Board requested to view the procedure, when revised, which will implement and execute the principles outlined in policy.

Pursuant to Board Policy 1604, the Superintendent is not required to seek board approval for revisions to District procedures; however, as requested by the Board, the revised procedure was presented for Board review.

The current policy and a summary document outlining the policy/procedure changes was made available to the Board.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board had several questions for Assistant Superintendent – Compliance, Legal Affairs, & Human Resources Erin Battersby who presented the policy.

4. Board Policy 1800 OE-9: Communication and Support to the Board - Superintendent’s Recommended Policy Revisions to Board Policy 2020: Course Design, Selection, and Adoption of Instructional Materials (1st rdg)

The Superintendent is recommending changes to Board Policy 2020: Course Design, Selection, and Adoption of Instructional Materials to comply with statutory changes addressing the promotion of inclusive learning standards and instructions materials in public schools and modifying requirements for public school instructional and supplemental instructional materials.

The District will implement the revised procedure to accompany Board Policy 2020 following approval.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board moved discussion of this policy to the October 23 Board meeting.

After Partial Governance Process Monitoring the meeting transitioned to the one item on the Full Governance Process Monitoring agenda.

1. Board Policy 1800 OE-4: Staff Compensation (L-1)

This is the annual monitoring of Board Policy 1800, Operational Expectations 4: Staff Compensation. The Administrative Report of Compliance was presented and reviewed for determination of compliance.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board voted 5-0 and the Student Representatives voted 2-0 that the Superintendent was in compliance.

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

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

Legislative Report – Director Martinez updated the Board on upcoming legislative priorities. Director Lurie and Director Martinez met with District staff recently on the rising cost of insurance as they prepare to advocate with the state insurance commissioner on insurance cost relief.

Director Martinez – Director Martinez attended MIHS curriculum night. Martinez attended a meeting with elementary parents about math pathways in elementary schools.

Director Glowitz – Director Glowitz shared his thoughts on a meeting with Superintendent Rundle and Director Martinez this week where they discussed the creation of a committee to address student safety and security.

Director Lee – Director Lee attended MIHS curriculum night.

Director Tucker – Director Tucker had no updates.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:54pm.

We encourage community members to watch the YouTube recording of the October 9 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.