MISD launches online school construction update tool | School news

The Mercer Island School District has set up an online tool to keep Islanders informed about school district construction projects now underway at three Island schools.

The Mercer Island School District has set up an online tool to keep Islanders informed about school district construction projects now underway at three Island schools.

The tool can be accessed through the main website at www.mercerislandschools.org.

Construction will require the occasional re-routing of busses, drop-off points, or traffic disruptions and changes in building uses.

The construction  includes:

-A fourth elementary school on the old North Mercer Campus.

-An expansion at Islander Middle School to include more classrooms, labs, a commons and cafeteria.

-Ten additional classrooms at Mercer Island High School including 4 labs.

The projects are funded by the bond levy passed by voters  on February 11, 2014.

School begins as construction gets underway

Well over 4,000 students returned to Island public school on Tuesday, Sept. 2.

“It is wonderful to have our students back in classes. This community places a high standard on learning, so it’s a great feeling to get back to work with students here,” said Mercer Island School District Superintendent Dr. Gary Plano.

Mercer Island High School (MIHS) Principal Vicki Puckett said, “Everything went very smoothly [Tuesday]. There was so much excitement amongst our newest students, especially freshmen coming from Islander Middle School.”

For the 2014-15 academic year, the district has budgeted for an enrollment of 4,204 students. The district expects the final enrollment numbers to shift somewhat throughout the year.

“Parents, students and staff will notice some changes at MIHS and Islander Middle School,” said Dr. Plano. “We’ve made changes to entry at MIHS and are getting ready for the new 10-classroom addition. The reconfiguration of the main parking area off SE 42nd Street at the front entry is undergoing significant changes. The new dedicated parent drop-off lane should ease congestion along S.E. 40th Street and provide a safe place for students to arrive in the morning and wait to be picked up after school. At Islander Middle School, portable classrooms have been moved as we get ready for the redevelopment of that site, slated for early next year.”

There have been several changes in school leadership positions. This summer the district named Aimee Batliner-Gillette the new interim Principal at West Mercer Elementary and long-time MISD administrator Kathy Morrison will fill Batliner-Gillette’s previous role as Associate Principal for Lakeridge Elementary and Island Park Elementary schools on an interim basis, while Henterson Carlisle and Mark Zmuda were named Associate Principals at the high school.

Due to a half-time staffing reduction of the Mercer Island Youth and Family Services mental health counselor at the elementary level funded by the City of Mercer Island, Kathy Bledsoe was added as a part-time interim Associate Principal supporting West Mercer Elementary. Bledsoe served as the interim Associate Principal at MIHS for the second half of the 2014-15 school year. Dr. Plano said, “I am honored and continue to feel fortunate to work with a hugely talented team of school and district leaders.”