The Mercer Island School Board reshuffled its leadership last month, electing Janet Frohnmayer as president, Adair Dingle as vice president, and Pat Braman as legislative representative. All three nominated members were elected unanimously on Dec. 11. Before turning over responsibilities, the board took a few moments to recognize outgoing president Pat Braman, who has lead the team for the past year.
“I appreciate you in so many ways: your kindness, compassion, insight and wisdom, your willingness to lead in a gentle way,” said board member Lisa Strauch-Eggers.
Superintendent Gary Plano, who was elected to the position under Braman’s leadership, echoed these words.
“Many times the teacher in [Pat] is so evident, and I have tried to be a good student. When students have great teachers, a lot happens,” Plano said. “You’ve guided me and have been a great leader and coach.”
Braman has served as president of the board, vice president and as the board’s legislative liaison since her election to the board in 2003. She was previously an English teacher and chair of both the English and humanities departments at Mercer Island High School.
Frohnmayer was elected to the School Board in November 2007. This will be her first time serving as president. Dingle has been a member of the School Board for three years. In addition to Eggers, Island parent John DeVleming also serves on the board.
MISD year-end fiscal report
The Mercer Island School District ended the year within 5 percent of its 2007-2008 budget, according to Associate Superintendent of Business Services Liz Ziara.
“I hope with increased enrollment and city funds, we can increase our percentage next year,” Ziara said, after presenting the year-end fiscal report to the School Board during its Dec. 11 meeting.
The School District ended 2007-08 with a total fund balance of $1.5 million, an Associated Student Body balance of $300,000, debt service balance of $957,000, $1.3 million for capital projects and 823,000 for transportation vehicles.
In total, the district spent $188,000 less than it earned, “which is great news,” according to Ziara.
However, the MISD also received $559,000 less than it had anticipated in general revenues.
Out of the $37 million that the district earned last year, 50 percent came from general state funding, 13 percent from special purpose state funding, 23 percent from local taxes, 10 percent from local non-taxes, 3 percent from the federal budget and .4 percent from grants and “other.”
The lion’s share of district expenditure (84 percent) went toward salaries and benefits.
The full report may be viewed at www.misd.k12.wa.us.
