Tensions rise over SAT access and budget priorities in Mercer Island

At the Mercer Island School Board meeting on Dec. 12, board directors missed the opportunity to engage in civil discourse and address serious issues facing the student reps and their peers.

Student representatives Ava Zhang and Lucy Dorer raised concerns about limited access to SAT testing sites near Mercer Island. Both students shared their personal experiences of having to travel long distances to take the SAT due to nearby sites being fully booked. They also highlighted a lack of communication from Mercer Island High School regarding the early booking process for SATs, which often leaves students with few local options.

Director Dan Glowitz supported the students’ concerns and suggested the board request records to assess the situation further. He emphasized that this was a growing issue in the community, which he had heard about from local families. Director Jody Lee responded by questioning whether the issue was widespread and suggested that the district may not have systemic problems regarding SAT access.

Former Board President Deborah Lurie expressed strong resistance to addressing the issue, stating, “I do not want to get in the business of telling our district how to do things.” Lurie argued that it was not the board’s role to intervene in how the district manages such matters, especially when the district’s counselors, principals and superintendent are already in charge. She suggested that the issue might be a lingering effect of the pandemic and that the board should not be focused on it.

Glowitz responded that this was the first time he had raised the issue, based on concerns he had heard from the community. Amid the heated discussion, President Tai Tucker intervened to remind the board that the meeting had run late, urging a return to order.

The board did not reach a resolution on SAT access, and the meeting ended with an executive session at 9:32 p.m.

Throughout the meeting, student representatives remained composed, advocating for transparency and better communication to help students navigate the SAT process more effectively.

Private school enrollment overview

At the board meeting, a discussion covered the top 10 private schools that Mercer Island students attend, according to the school district:

• St. Monica, 121 students

• French American School, 83 students

• Seattle Academy (SAAS), 54 students

• Hamlin Robinson, 38 students, with 9.2% of Mercer Island students attending HRS, which specializes in teaching students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. Enrollment of 98040 students is increasing every year at Hamlin.

• Lakeside School, 26

• Open Window School, 23

• Eastside Prep. 20

• Seattle Country Day School. 19

• Seattle Prep, 15

• Bush, 12

• Yellow Wood was not mentioned

• Running Start, 63

Running Start only, 15 (also part time enrolled at MIHS)

Bond proposals overview

At the board’s meeting on Nov. 14, the board authorized Superintendent Fred Rundle to move forward with drafting a bond proposal in the amount of $165 million.

The bond initiative will seek funding for the following: New construction at IMS including optional additions, improvements at MIHS, front fund elementary study to look at upgrade needs for Island Park, Lakeridge and West Mercer, seek reimbursement for $1.450 million for concept design planning in 2024. The board also voted on improvements in regards to the Mary Wayte Pool contract. All board members were in favor.

Expenditures overview

The district is through October, or 16.6% of the (fiscal/school) year.

Special Education increased from September to October of this year due to contracted services, specifically, behavior consultant(s) and an OT (occupational therapist) agency and payments for out of state placements.

Special education – Increase of $225,523 in spending from September to October, from $941,213 in September to $1,166,736 in October, due to an increase in paying for consultants and 1 out of state placement.

A board member asked, “Is the out of state placement coming out of the special education fund?” A district staff member responded, “It is and also under another service area.”

Support/Community Services decreased due to initial payment to our insurance provider in September; half of the $1.1MM fee due at the start of the year. Revenues State Apportionment increase due to the receipt of local taxes, the EP&O levy.

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Meghan Hamill is a Mercer Island resident who volunteered to contribute to the Mercer Island Reporter.