The successful passage of the Mercer Island school bond and levy ballot measures is a great achievement for our community.  From the beginning, our approach for the campaign was like a barn raising – everyone joining together for our schools.  Now, we all can celebrate this election and what the investments will mean for Mercer Island students.

On behalf of everyone involved in the campaign effort, thank you Islanders for coming together and being united in approving these vital measures.  We are grateful for your thoughtful feedback, answering our phone calls and opening your doors to our campaign volunteers who reached out to share information about why we need to invest in our schools.

We would especially like to express our deep appreciation to the following:

The more than 50 financial donors to the campaign that enabled us to create and distribute letters, brochures, post cards, newspaper ads, social media outreach and campaign signs.

The various Mercer Island organizations that allowed our campaign to present to their memberships including:  The Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Kiwanis, Probus, Historical Society, League of Women Voters, MI Fire Fighters Association and the Clergy Association.

Islanders that hosted campaign information meetings attended by their neighbors, and Aljoya House for letting us present to their residents.

The dozens of community members that volunteered to wave signs at street corners and helped call during the election.

The 80 Mercer Island businesses that proudly displayed our campaign signs in their store windows.

The school district PTA communities, MI Educational Association, MI Preschool Association, Youth Theatre Northwest and MI Schools Foundation.

Finally, we would like to thank the 1,000+ individual endorsers, individuals that hosted campaign signs in their front yard, former and current elected leaders for their endorsements, and all of the people who submitted letters of support to the MI Reporter.

The decisions a community makes are a reflection of its values. Islanders have once again shown that keeping our schools strong is priority that defines why Mercer Island is such a special place.  Thank you!

Ralph Jorgenson

on behalf of The CMIPS 2014 ‘Fix Overcrowding’ Volunteer Campaign Committee