Budget cuts

During the Mercer Island School Board meeting on March 13, Superintendent Fred Rundle discussed staff reductions due to financial constraints. The Reduction in Force (RIF) resolution for certificated staff will be issued on March 27, impacting nurses, instructional coaches and librarians. Director Cristina Martinez emphasized minimizing impacts on students, while Director Maggie Tai Tucker expressed concerns about cuts to nurses affecting students’ medical management. Director Deborah Lurie voiced frustration over declining funding, noting, “It’s not that people here aren’t doing their jobs… we’re getting less money,” in addition to inflation.

Social media policy

The board discussed a social media policy to guide board members’ personal and official social media usage. Director Tucker emphasized the need for clear guidelines to avoid “implying a predetermined stance” on issues before board discussions. Director Lurie supported it for fostering diverse perspectives and “avoiding misleading the community.” However, Director Dan Glowitz expressed concerns that it could “limit the speech of an elected official,” asserting, “I can have a firm stance on the SAT before” board’s discussion, and “I don’t like that I can’t communicate it.” The board will review other district policies before a second reading.

Public input

Lucy Anderson, an educator and parent, expressed her support for the bond and Rundle’s leadership in “creating safe and supportive schools.” She advocated for retaining librarians and nurses, who “directly support and interact with students,” while suggesting cuts to higher-paid administrators and directors that have less impact on student engagement.

Seth Landau criticized the board for not addressing the alleged antisemitic behavior of Director Jody Lee, stating that “this topic tears into my heart” as his “father’s entire family was killed by Nazis.” He found the board president’s “we didn’t have a policy” response unacceptable and received legal threats from “a censured lawyer” representing Tucker and Lee, warning him against “coming up here and speaking the truth.”

Meghan Hamill, a parent and education advocate, criticized Rundle for framing special education as a budget burden, calling it “not just offensive, it’s dangerous.” She attributed budget shortfalls to financial mismanagement and questioned why MISD has three finance administrators while Bellevue, with nearly five times the enrollment, has only one. Hamill urged cuts to high-paid administrators, advocating for “financial accountability to repair the loss of trust.”

Missy Harvold, a longtime teacher-librarian, opposed replacing certified librarians with clerks, warning it could deprive students of “essential literacy, research, and critical thinking skills,” emphasizing that trained librarians are a “necessity,” not a “luxury.” She said they “teach information literacy and guide students in academics.” Harvold cautioned that clerks lack the “training and knowledge to support instruction in library classrooms.”

Julie Hsieh, a parent and school volunteer, advocated for the upcoming school bond, urging residents to “maintain and preserve” the schools, stating, “If this bond doesn’t pass, it will cost us more,” expressing the cost will be “just $38 per month for every million dollars of property value.” Hsieh cautioned against personal grievances derailing the bond, saying, “Holding the bond hostage because of a bad experience … would be unfortunate and hurt our community and students.”

Joey Lurie, daughter of Director Lurie, a 2024 MIHS graduate, expressed her gratitude for the district, saying, “I have nothing but love, respect, and, most importantly, gratitude for this community that has raised me.” She credited her college success, including a 4.0 GPA and her pursuit of an accelerated master’s degree, to teachers, coaches and staff. Lurie concluded by thanking her mother and educators, stating, “What you do matters.”

Frank Schott, a graduate of MIHS Class of 1975, supports the bond, stating, “I believe in Mercer Island schools.” He shared feedback from seniors backing the bond. Some support it “because quality of education and property values go hand in hand,” while others noted, “we can’t wait until something bad happens.” He urged the district to clarify that the “tax increase is less than 7%,” expressing frustration over the “misleading 40% hike.”

Student recognition highlight

State dive champion Connor Carson was described by Coach Ed as an exceptional and “a generational diver.” Carson humbly credited his teammates’ hard work in what he called “a super duper close” race during his recognition.