MISD enrollment highest in 20 years
This October, the Mercer Island School District reported it has reached the highest number of students enrolled in its schools since the late 1980s.
At the end of the last school term, the official Full Time Equivalent (FTE) number of students enrolled in Island schools was 4,223. This year, there are now 4,256 students enrolled in Island schools, a net gain of 33.
The number is about 40 students fewer than predicted and were expected this fall.
“Enrollment is still growing,” said Mercer Island School District Chief Financial Officer Dean Mack. “It is just growing more slowly than before.”
Most of the increase occurred at Mercer Island High School, where there are 62 more students this year than last. At Islander Middle School, there are 13 additional students. But there are 42 fewer students in the elementary grades. Long-term demographic projections in 2012 predicted a growing secondary population and a relatively stable elementary population.
Since 2007-08, an average of 52 new students have enrolled each year. That adds up to 411 new students in eight years. The average size of a new elementary school is 450 students.
Superintendent Gary Plano noted, “Regional growth and development combined with shifts in demographic trends on Mercer Island explain these numbers. Our community is growing in size and diversity, and we welcome our new neighbors and friends.”
Ballot measure committees needed
The Mercer Island School District is seeking interested parties to prepare statements, both in favor of and opposing, the upcoming 2016 ballot measures that will renew and replace existing capital levies.
Consistent with King County election rules, the committees to submit pro and con statements are limited to three persons each.
Interested residents should contact the Superintendent’s Office at 206-236-3300 by Nov. 16 for more information.
MISD band director featured in national music magazine
Mercer Island School District’s band director Parker Bixby is featured in the October issue of the national music education magazine, “The Instrumentalist.”
The story in the October 2015 issue, is aptly entitled, “Pursuit of Excellence.”
In the piece, Bixby details the philosophy and methods he and his team use to engage and teach their students. The story mentions the marching band trips to Australia, the Rose Bowl or London for the 2012 New Year’s Day parade.
The director also speaks to the age-old problem about getting students to practice.
For the entire story, visit http://theinstrumentalist.com/pages/The-Instrumentalist/Pursuit-of-Excellence/.
