Following the appointment of Ralph Jorgenson to the vacated School Board Position No. 5 seat, fellow applicants David D’Souza and Bill Hochberg announced their intent to run for School Board this November. Three of the five School Board positions will be up for election.

Tracy Drinkwater initially planned on running as well, but ultimately opted otherwise to focus on other endeavors.

In his address to the board during the Position No. 5 appointment process on May 2, D’Souza said his background as an engineer, his background as a parent and his work in the community and in the school system would make him a worthy addition. D’Souza serves as executive committee co-president for the Mercer Island Schools Foundation and has worked with Islander Middle School co-principal Aaron Miller to bring an after school computer science program to the middle school.

“I have such a passion for education and learning from the many interesting people around me that I think being on the board is a natural evolution as an active, engaged parent who is listening to other parents and listening to what’s happening in the community through the foundation and through our work during the school bond [effort],” he told the board.

During his address to the board, Hochberg mentioned three critical areas facing the district were hiring a new superintendent, school construction and school funding.

“The reality is where we’re mostly going to be affected is from Olympia,” he said in regards to funding issues. “I have a strong past experience with dealing with all sorts of issues in Olympia. I know where to go, I know who to talk to.”

Three positions are open on the Mercer Island School Board.

The filing period for candidates runs through Friday, May 15. For more, go to  www.kingcounty.gov.