Urging a yes vote on bond

As members of this community, we all share a common goal: to ensure that our children have the best possible opportunities to succeed. One of the most powerful ways we can support their future is by providing them with safe, modern, and well-equipped learning environments. The proposed school construction bond is not just an investment in our schools—it’s an investment in the future of our community as a whole.

This bond will help us renovate and upgrade existing schools, build new classrooms, improve safety features, and ensure that our facilities meet the needs of today’s students. These improvements will create spaces where our children can thrive, learn, and grow into the leaders of tomorrow. In turn, these investments will help our community continue to prosper.

Our schools are more than just places of learning; they are anchors in our neighborhoods and hubs of community engagement. By approving this bond, we are making a statement that we believe in our future—both the future of our children and the future of our island. The bond will provide the resources needed to modernize aging facilities, which will improve educational outcomes and help attract new families to our area.

Additionally, well-maintained, high-quality schools increase property values and make our community a more desirable place to live, work, and raise a family. They are sources of community pride. Passing this bond will ensure that we are not only preparing our children for success but also investing in a stronger, more resilient community for years to come. It’s a commitment to educational excellence, safety, and opportunity that will pay dividends for generations.

I urge you to vote yes on the school construction bond.

Samantha Rubenfield, Citizens for Mercer Island Public Schools

Keep supporting schools

I am a recent graduate of Mercer Island High School (class of 2023) and I am writing in support of the upcoming bond issue. I am also responding to the false claims from the few that are opposed to the bond about declining academic achievement.

MIHS was built in the 1950s and while small remodels have been made over the years, it’s still got 1950s style classrooms which supported a lecturing teacher and 25 students at their desks. Teaching styles have evolved, and learning is done in a much more collaborative setting with small breakout groups and team problem solving becoming the norm.

The physical plant is badly outdated as well. The HVAC system does not work and the plumbing is dodgy throughout most of the building. These issues will not go away and deferred maintenance will just mean spending more money later.

Claims that somehow learning outcomes are on the decline are not supported by data. Ask any student in our graduating class and they will tell you that they were better prepared entering college than their classmates from other school districts.

I am a sophomore at Gonzaga and I was given a full ride scholarship after my freshman year because I excelled academically and as a student leader. I was miles ahead of my fellow classmates in writing and reading comprehension. I joined ROTC and finished the first year at the top of my class. My teachers on Mercer Island and the experiences that I had in student government were foundational to excelling at in my first two years at Gonzaga.

Looking at the data around academic achievement, average SAT test scores for our graduating class were near all-time highs. AP class participation and test scores are the highest they have ever been.

MIHS was effectively a free college prep school. I strongly urge Island residents to keep supporting our schools. Vote YES!

Andrew Howison, Mercer Island

PTA says vote yes

At our recent respective general membership meetings, each of the 6 schools in our district voted to support the 2025 school bond. As the leadership of the PTAs, we urge our community to carry out this intent and vote in favor of this critical investment in our schools. This bond is essential to ensuring that all students in our district have access to safe, well-equipped learning environments. The responsible maintenance and upgrade of these buildings and systems will avoid more extensive and more expensive repairs in the future.

Our schools are the foundation of our community, and right now, many of our buildings are in dire need of repairs and upgrades, with aging infrastructure (HVAC, fire, and plumbing), outdated and inadequate learning spaces and labs, lack of secure entrances, and limited accessibility. This bond will provide the funding to renovate classrooms, improve heating and cooling systems, enhance safety measures, and put all of Islander Middle School under one roof.

In addition, this bond is about meeting the needs of our students. Every student deserves access to high-quality facilities that support their learning and well-being. Teachers need classrooms, labs, and co-curricular spaces to enhance their curriculum and bring learning to life for our students. Not unlike our homes, well-maintained structures are an investment.

Investing in our schools is an investment in our future. Strong schools prepare the next generations for success. They also attract families, increase property values, and keep our community vibrant.

The Parent Teacher Associations of MISD urge all voters to consider both the short and long-term impacts of this bond and stand with our students by voting “yes.”

Kate Gilham, Co-President, Northwood PTA

Debbie Nelson, Co-President, Northwood PTA

Sarah Hollenbeck, President, West Mercer PTA

Sarah Karim, Co-President, Lakeridge PTA

Jessi Biagi, Co-President, Lakeridge PTA

Stephanie Burnett, President, Islander Middle School PTSA

Kimberly Miyazawa Frank, Co-President, Mercer Island High School PTSA

Chris Peluso, Co-President, Island Park PTA

Naveen Tadepalli, Co-President Island Park PTA

Pro Mercer Nails

One of the oldest businesses on Mercer Island will be closing soon after almost 30 years.

Kim and Michael opened Pro Mercer Nails, their manicure/pedicure business in 1996 in Island Market Square in the previous site of a cheese store and produce store.

They chose Mercer Island because it was “so quiet” said Kim. When Island Market Square closed and became Island Square Apartments in 2003, Kim and Michael moved to the triangular lot across from the Starbucks “lodge” where Engel and Volkers Real Estate is now.

In 2017, Pro Mercer Nails moved to Island House Senior Living. Kim said it is “happy and sad” to be retiring. She is an eager gardener, enjoys cooking and has two grandchildren living on Mercer Island. Michael is an avid tennis player and hopes to add to his trophy collection.

Good wishes to them on their retirement after almost 30 years on Mercer Island.

Dee Hitch, Mercer Island