Disappointed in article on SAT access
I am writing to express my disappointment over the article titled “Tensions Rise Over SAT Access and Budget Priorities in Mercer Island” in this week’s Mercer Island Reporter. The article contains numerous inaccuracies, was clearly not fact-checked, and shows a bias that undermines the integrity of your publication.
The article’s portrayal of the discussion surrounding SAT access is misleading. The lead is editorial in nature, stating that board directors “missed the opportunity” to address “serious issues facing the student reps and their peers.” The article states plainly that student representatives were the ones to raise concerns about SAT testing access. This is incorrect. The issue was raised instead by Director Dan Glowitz during the board comment period at the end of the meeting. In fact, the students’ overall comments indicated that they did not believe there was a current pressing need for more SAT sites, and that any gaps in knowledge about registration might be avoided by increased outreach in advance from the high school (rather than the students faulting the high school’s current communications, as the article claims).
This topic was not on the posted agenda, meaning that the board could not have taken a vote or, in the author’s words, “reached a resolution.” Director Glowitz was not able – during this meeting – to garner the support of a majority of the board for future discussion of the draft resolution he mentioned. Other board members stated they were not convinced of the need to begin offering testing on the island. One looked up availability during the meeting and found that there was availability in both Seattle and Bellevue for SAT tests in March through May of 2025.
The author’s implication that the school board could have chosen to instruct the superintendent to arrange for SATs at Mercer Island High School reflects a misunderstanding of the board’s role within a policy-based governance framework. The board does not manage day-to-day district operations. Instead, its primary function is to oversee policy and strategy, delegating operational matters to the superintendent and his staff. If the board as a whole becomes concerned with SAT availability, an appropriate first step would be for the board to request a report from the superintendent and staff detailing the problem and possible solutions.
I urge the Mercer Island Reporter to prioritize fact-checking and impartiality in its coverage of local issues. Articles addressing topics as important as education must be grounded in accurate information. In the future, I hope your publication will take greater care to ensure its reporting meets these standards. The Mercer Island Reporter plays an important role in fostering informed and constructive community dialogue. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Maggie Tai Tucker
President, Mercer Island School Board
