The School Board, superintendent and “leadership” of the Mercer Island School District need to re-examine their mission.

Apparently, real estate management and brokering has been substituted for educational achievement.

Less than three years ago a real estate “swap” occurred with the Boys and Girls Club, one result of which was to ‘lease’ prime MISD school district property for $1 per year. A huge building was built on the property, and now, less than two years later, the “leadership” tells us there is no “available land.”

The energy and enthusiasm with which MISD “leadership” conducts real estate “deals” should be matched by an energy and zeal for educating MISD children. It has not been.

Mercer Island citizens are willing to be taxed for a great educational system — once achievements of MISD students were beyond reach in the state.

But the MISD “leadership” has lost its mission and substituted real estate brokering for educational excellence.

The recent bond issue vote indicates our citizenry has recognized the loss of purpose, and our MISD “leadership” should be replaced with a new leadership, less enamored of real estate “deals,” and passionate about the mission of educating our students.

Bill Janes