Mercer Island School District director candidates revealed their viewpoints on a plethora of issues over the last several weeks and the first-round early results of the Nov. 2 general election rolled in that night on the King County Elections website.
In the two races on the ballot, Dan Glowitz and Deborah Lurie still lead the way at post time after the fourth round of results were posted at 3:41 p.m. on Nov. 5, which is the last round of returns before the Reporter deadline.
For Position 2, Glowitz (4,227 votes, 52.69%) leads Brian Giannini Upton (3,739, 46.60%); and for Position 4, Lurie (5,020, 62.52%) leads Lacey Aaker (2,989, 37.22%).
The Reporter reached out to all four candidates, and here are some of their comments following the early returns.
“I am grateful for the support I have received and for those who made their voice heard by voting. I appreciate my opponent, Lacey Aaker, for participating in civil and rigorous debate of the issues. There’s much we all learn from each other and about ourselves in the election process, and I recognize the opportunities to listen more deeply and communicate the work of the board better,” said Lurie.
Added Aaker: “While Director Lurie and I may differ in how we approach educational matters, I have no doubt that we both center students’ best interests in our decision making processes. I think this was a particularly trying election cycle for our community, so I also thank Director Lurie for her integrity and kindness in running her campaign.”
Glowitz explained that transparency and its value to the community has been in the spotlight during the election.
“I’m cautiously optimistic that as the ballots are counted it will become increasingly clear that voters have chosen transparency and change. Transparency is what underpins trust, and, over time, leads to public confidence. Transparency is the central theme that has emerged as the paramount quality we seek in the next superintendent. And, transparency and the courageous conversations that it enables, is what allows us to work collaboratively to craft an education tailored to each child,” he said.
Giannini Upton spoke of the tight race with Glowitz, who led by 2% on the first night and by 6% on Nov. 5: “I’m proud that we ran a positive, student focused campaign! It has been a privilege to serve and an honor to represent over the past four years. Regardless of how the numbers fall, our students, staff and community need all hands on deck to recover and rebuild. I will continue to advocate, support and celebrate our amazing children and public education system.”
In a previous Reporter article, the candidates listed the most critical issues to be addressed in the school district as: system stabilization, hiring a new superintendent, regaining public confidence, fixing the budget, not losing sight of its identity as a school district that has thrived because of high academic standards, lack of transparency and communication, lack of administrative oversight, mental health of its students and budget implications from declining enrollment.
The final results will be certified on Nov. 23.
