MISD Board Meeting Recap – September 11, 2025

Members of the MIHS 3A State Champion girls track and field team with the Board. 

Mercer Island, WA, September 12, 2025 – The Mercer Island School District School Board held a Regular Meeting on Thursday, September 11 at the District's Administration Building. 

View Board Meeting Agenda

 

The Board meeting started at 3:30pm in the District Administration Building with the swearing in of Junior Student Representative to the Board Brody Newcomer.

Following Newcomer’s swearing in the Board held a study session pursuant to Board Policy 1009: Board Members’ Code of Conduct.

Study Session

The purpose of the Board's study session was to discuss and clarify three concerns brought forward by a Board director. To assist with the proceedings, outside legal counsel attended the meeting to provide support with the discussion. The three concerns discussed included the following:

1. Assertion Board Directors or representatives of the Mercer Island School District made false and defamatory statements about another Director. 

2. District's consistent application of RCW 28A.320.160

3. Silenced No More Act

After the study session the Board took up three items on the Partial Governance Process Monitoring agenda.

1. Board Policy 1005: Board Officers – Legislative Priorities for WSSDA General Assembly

The Board heard an update from the legislative representatives on priorities for the upcoming WSSDA General Assembly.

The Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA) will hold its annual General Assembly (GA) virtually on September 20, 2025. Throughout 2025, Washington's 1,477 school directors have been invited to propose amendments or additions to WSSDA's Permanent Positions, which represent the organization's beliefs and values, indicate its stance on issues, and serve to advise school boards. Additionally, school directors have had the opportunity to propose amendments or additions to WSSDA's Legislative Positions, which represent its call to action and define and direct its advocacy work. Both positions and WSSDA's legislative priorities form the organization's 2025-2026 advocacy platform. The GA represents an opportunity for school board's to vote on proposals to revise WSSDA's platform.

Community members can view the 2025 GA Handbook here.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

Director Martinez and Director Lurie updated the Board on WSSDSA’s Permanent Positions and the Board discussed these Positions. No action was taken by the Board.

2. BP 1006: Committees or Board Policy 1800 OE-9: Communication and Support to the Board - Update on Committee to Review District Practices and Training on Appropriate Conduct

At the Board's regular meeting on August 11, 2025, a suggestion was made to form a committee to review the District's practices and training for staff and students on appropriate conduct. This is an opportunity for the Board to discuss this proposal.

The school district and community was made aware of both confirmed and alleged instances of inappropriate conduct by staff with students dating back to the 1990s. Most recently, the district learned a teacher as recently as the 2015-2016 season engaged in sexual misconduct with a then senior in high school. This is an opportunity to take inexcusable and terrible actions from the past and improve today and in the future.

The purpose of this committee is to examine the practices, policies, procedures, and training currently used in the district to promote safe and secure schools for everyone. The findings of this committee will be turned into recommendations for changes the district can make, which will be presented to the MISD School Board and Superintendent.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board discussed the purpose of the committee and what its goals will be. No action was taken by the Board.

3. Board Policy 1800 OE-9: Communication and Support to the Board - Update on Facility Naming Process

At the Board's special meeting on May 29, 2025, Superintendent Rundle reminded the Board that the first nomination to name a District facility had been received. The Board agreed by consensus to form a naming committee to review the nomination and directed the Superintendent to assemble the committee. Board members emphasized the importance of soliciting community feedback and offering community members the opportunity to submit other nominations. Director Martinez was selected to serve as the Board appointee on the committee.

This is an opportunity for the Board to hear an update on actions taken to date regarding formation of the committee and seeking community input.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

Superintendent Rundle updated the Board on the number of respondents to the survey about naming the MIHS gym floor/court after former MIHS boys basketball coach Ed Pepple. He also updated the Board on the timeline when the Naming Committee will bring a recommendation to the Board on if the gym floor/court should be named after Ed Pepple.

4. Board Policy 1800 OE-9: Communication and Support to the Board - Superintendent’s Recommended Policy Revisions to Board Policy 3241: Student Discipline (1st rdg)

Board Policy 3241: Student Discipline has been revised to reflect changes in the law and to align better with WSSDA Model Policy, allowing the District to monitor changes and update the policy more efficiently in the future. Additional revisions were made for readability and clarity. 

The Superintendent recommended approving the revised policy as presented following this first reading; however, the Board may elect to place this item on the consent agenda for approval as a second reading at the next regular board meeting.

The Board was presented with a markup copy and a clean copy of the policy to review.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board held a discussion on this policy and voted 5-0 by the Board and 2-0 by the Student Representatives to adopt this policy. The District will bring Procedure 3241 to the Board for review at the next regular meeting.

After Partial Governance Process Monitoring the meeting transitioned to Student Representatives Report, Recognitions, and Public Input.

Student Representatives Report – Student Representatives to the Board Lucy Dorer and Brody Newcomer updated the Board on events and things happening at each school in the district during the first weeks of the school year.

Recognitions

Boys and Girls Tennis - At tonight’s Board meeting Superintendent Rundle recognized the MIHS girls tennis team for winning the 3A State Championship in the spring and MIHS boys tennis team members for winning the 3A singles and doubles championships.

The girls team won their third consecutive State Championship on May 23 and 24 at the Vancouver Tennis Center. Rachael Garton and Sarah Garton won the 3A Doubles Championship, their second in a row. 

Caitlyn Ying placed second in singles. Mia Kinney and Jayne Tintle took fifth in doubles. 

On the boys side Joe DeGracia won the 3A singles championship and Gian Manhas and Nolan Bang won the 3A doubles championship. The boys team finished in second place overall, just one point back of first place.

Boys Soccer - Superintendent Rundle recognized the MIHS boys soccer team for winning the 3A State Championship in the spring. The players introduced themselves to the Board and spoke about the Championship and the coming season.

Track and Field - At tonight’s Board Meeting Superintendent Rundle recognized the MIHS girls track and field team for winning 3A State Championship and track and field athletes that won individual 3A State Championships or were podium finishers.

The MIHS girls track and field team won the KingCo 3A Title, the Sea-King District 3A Championship and the 3A State Championship.

Sarina Swahney won the three 3A State Championships taking the crown in Wheelchair Discus, Javelin, and Shot put. Sarina set both school and state meet records. 

Sophia Rodrigeuz won the 1600 and 3200 meter runs for the second consecutive year. 

Aalyiah Khan won the long jump championship with a jump of 19 feet 4 inches and took third in the triple jump (37’ 11½”).

Owen Powell won the boys 800 and 1600-meter championship and set a new State Meet Record in the 800! 

Kiera Kelly placed fourth in the javelin (123’ 1”).

Eloise Newman took second in the 100 hurdles (14.88) and fourth in the 100 dash (12.37).

Lauren Balousek placed fourth in the 400 dash (56.03) and sixth in the 200 dash (25.61).

In the 4x200 relay, the MIHS girls team of Aaliyah Khan, Maia Shook, Newman and Balouse took second with a time of 1:41.03. They broke the school record, which was set in 2015 and featured current coach Piper Casey.

Boys track and field athlete Bodie Thomas took fourth in the 3,200 run with a time of 9:12.74.

Public Input

No community members 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.

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

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

Superintendent Report & Announcements – Assistant Superintendent Erin Battersby provided an update on the District's participation in a social media mass action lawsuit, being handled by attorneys at Keller Rohrbach.

Superintendent Rundle informed the Board that Strategies 360 will start reaching out to community members next week to start the survey process on the April bond.  

Superintendent Rundle updated the Board on the current enrollment in MISD.

Superintendent Rundle also recognized the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the school shooting at Evergreen High School in Colorado and how MIHS offered support to students who were impacted by the videos on social media of the assassination.

Board Assignments – The Board made Board committee assignments for the 2025-26 school year.

Board Announcements, Inquiries, and Reports – Direct Lurie spoke about attending the PTA Council meeting on Wednesday and the current political climate after the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Director Lurie asked Superintendent Rundle about the decision of scheduling a previous Board meeting in August of 2024.

Director Martinez did not have any announcements.

Direct Glowitz spoke about the political violence that took place Wednesday and its impact on the Mercer Island community.

Director Lee spoke about the services Mercer Island Youth and Family Services provides to our community. Director Lee also spoke about attending the first MIHS football game of the season and all the work done by volunteers to put on the game.  

Director Tucker spoke about attending the first MIHS football game of the season. She also recognized the community feedback she has received about the platform the District uses to live steam Board meetings.

Student Representative to the Board Newcomer spoke about the Homecoming Parade on Friday, September 26, at 5pm.

The meeting was adjourned at 6:42pm.

We encourage community members to watch the YouTube recording of the September 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.