The Mercer Island School Board of Directors will continue its work in 2018 under new leadership. At the Dec. 14 meeting, the board unanimously selected Tracy Drinkwater to serve as president, Ralph Jorgenson to be vice president and new board member Brian Giannini Upton to be legislative representative.
Giannini Upton and Deborah Schneider Lurie were sworn in to their positions, 2 and 4, earlier in the evening. They both won contested elections in November, and will take over for retiring board members Dave Myerson and Adair Dingle.
An enthusiastic volunteer since he moved to the Island five years ago, Giannini Upton has served in various PTA leadership roles, participated in the 2016 Committee for Mercer Island Public Schools (CMIPS) campaign and spoke at the 2015 Mercer Island Schools Foundation Breakfast of Champions.
Lurie is also an active school volunteer, who works as a public defender. She attended Mercer Island schools, graduating from Mercer Island High School in 1990.
Drinkwater is a tutor and educational consultant, and former special education and math teacher. She was elected in 2015, and served as the board’s vice president in 2017. She will take over for outgoing president David D’Souza.
Prior to joining the school board, Jorgenson served as the VP of advocacy for the PTA Council and the co-chair of the 2014 School Bond and M&O Levy Campaign. He served as school board president in 2016.
See www.mercerislandschools.org for more.
Superintendent Donna Colosky shakes Deborah Schneider Lurie’s hand after swearing her into Position 4 on the Mercer Island School Board on Dec. 14. Katie Metzger/staff photo
The Mercer Island School Board plays musical chairs after selecting its new leadership for 2018. Katie Metzger/staff photo
New School Board member Brian Giannini Upton poses with his family during a reception at the Dec. 14 meeting. Katie Metzger/staff photo
Deborah Schneider Lurie smiles with her family after being sworn in to serve Mercer Islanders on the School Board. Katie Metzger/staff photo
