The Mercer Island School Board of Directors is continuing its work in 2017 under new leadership. At the Dec. 8, 2016 meeting, the board unanimously selected David D’Souza to serve as president, Tracy Drinkwater to be vice president and former President Ralph Jorgenson to be legislative representative.

Prior to being appointed to the school board, Jorgenson served as the VP of advocacy for the PTA Council. Drinkwater is a tutor and educational consultant, and former special education and math teacher. D’Souza worked at Microsoft for many years before founding his own computer software company.

D’Souza said he was “excited to end [2016] in this role,” and that he “definitely learned a lot” under Jorgenson.

The board members will hold their positions for a one-year term. They conducted their first meeting of 2017 on Jan. 12, when they celebrated the proclamation by Gov. Jay Inslee of January as School Board Recognition Month.

One of the board’s tasks this year will be to select a new superintendent, as Dr. Gary Plano announced his retirement Wednesday.