MISD Board Meeting Recap – May 7, 2026

Six Eagle Scouts who are MISD students and their Scoutmasters with the Mercer Island School Board at the May 7 meeting.

Mercer Island, WA, May 8, 2026 – The Mercer Island School District School Board held a Regular Meeting on Thursday, May 7 at the District's Administration Building.

View Board Meeting Agenda

Board Director Cristina Martinez was not in attendance at this meeting. The Board meeting started at 5pm and had six items on the Partial Governance Process Monitoring agenda and two items on the Full Governance Process Monitoring agenda.

The Board took up the two items on the Full Governance Process Monitoring agenda to start the meeting.

1. Board Policy 1009: Board Members' Code of Conduct (L-1)

The Board conducted its annual monitoring of Board Policy 1009, Board Members' Code of Conduct.  

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board held a discussion about this policy. The Board voted 4-0 and the Student Representatives voted 2-0 that the Board was in compliance with Board Policy 1009: Board Members’ Code of Conduct.

2. Board Policy 1010: Board Member Conflicts of Interest (L-1)

The Board conducted its annual monitoring of Board Policy 1010, Board Member Conflicts of Interest.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board voted 4-0 and the Student Representatives voted 2-0 that the Board was in compliance with Board Policy 1010: Board Member Conflict of Interest.

After these two items the Board started the Partial Governance Process Monitoring agenda.
 

3. Board Policy 1800 OE-9: Communication and Support to the Board - Resolution 757: Authorized Absence of a Board Director

RCW 28A.343.390 authorizes the absence of a Board Director from attending a Board Meeting on account of sickness or by resolution of the board. At the Board's meeting on March 26, directors expressed an interest in streamlining the process. To this end, the Superintendent is proposing adoption of draft Resolution No. 757: Authorized Absence of a Board Director. The resolution grants authority to the Board President to excuse or not excuse the absence of a Board Director and outlines the reasons that an absence may excused. The Board Vice President would have the authority to excuse or not excuse any absence requested by the Board President. An absence and the reason for such absence would be announced at the start of the meeting, and Board Directors would have the right to object to any decision by the Board President (or Vice President). A majority vote of the Board could overturn the decision.

Additionally, to aid in the Board's review of draft Resolution No. 757, proposed new Board Policy 1450 and revised Board Policies 1400 and 1005 (agenda items B, C and D below), District staff produced a version of the resolution that includes cross references to the various policies and has highlighted the sections in the policies where the resolution language appears. Please refer to the cross-referenced version of the resolution to review.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board discussed the resolution. The Board voted 4-0 and the Student Representatives voted 2-0 to adopt Resolution No. 757: Authorized Absence of a Board Director.

4. Board Policy 1800 OE-9: Communication and Support to the Board - New Board Policy 1450: Absence of a Board Member (1st rdg)

Board absences are currently addressed in Board Policy 1400 - Meetings and Board Policy 1005 - Board Officer and Board Member Duties. In order to bring clarity to the process and clearly identify what constitutes an authorized absence, the Superintendent is recommending adoption of new Board Policy 1450 - Absence of a Board Member. The policy is a modified version of WSSDA Model Policy 1450, which incorporates language from draft Resolution No. 757: Authorized Absence of a Board Director.

The new policy was presented for Board review and discussion.  

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board discussed the new policy. The Board voted 4-0 and the Student Representatives voted 2-0 to adopt Board Policy 1450 - Absence of a Board Member.

5. Board Policy 1800 OE-9: Communication and Support to the Board - Proposed Revisions to Board Policy 1400: Meetings (2nd rdg)

The Board heard a first reading of Board Policy 1400 - Meetings at its meeting on March 26. At that time, the Board directed the Superintendent to enact further revisions and place the policy on the next regular meeting agenda for a second reading. The policy has been revised to accompany proposed Board Policy 1450: Absence of a Board Member.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board asked District staff questions and held a discussion. No action was taken by Board.

6. Board Policy 1800 OE-9: Communication and Support to the Board - Proposed Revisions to Board Policy 1005: Board Officer and Board Member Duties (1st rdg)

In order to be consistent with proposed Resolution No. 757: Authorized Absence of a Board Director, proposed Board Policy 1450: Absence of a Board Member and the proposed revisions to Board Policy 1400: Meetings, the Superintendent is recommending revisions to Board Policy 1005: Board Officer and Board Member Duties.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board discussed the new policy. The Board voted 4-0 and the Student Representatives voted 2-0 to adopt Board Policy 1005 – Board Officer and Board Member Duties.

7. Board Policy 1800 OE-9: Communication and Support to the Board - Proposed Revisions to Board Policy 1605: Monitoring Superintendent Performance

Superintendent Rundle is recommending revisions to Board Policy 1605: Monitoring Superintendent Performance to align more closely with WSSDA Model Policy language.

Clean and markup copies of the revised policy were presented for Board review and discussion.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board voted 5-0 and the Student Representatives voted 2-0 to adopt the revisions to Board Policy 1605: Monitoring Superintendent Performance.

8. Post-Monitoring Language Review - Board Policy 1800 OE-7: Financial Administration

The Board conducted its annual monitoring of Board Policy 1800, OE-7: Financial Administration, at its regular meeting on April 23, 2026. This is an opportunity for the Board to review policy language and indicators for monitoring. In accordance with Board Policy 1002, the Board may, by majority vote, revise or amend its policies at any time.

During the monitoring of OE-7, which is below, the Board wished to return to item 5 and consider changes to the language.

Financial Administration

With respect to the actual, on-going administration of the District’s financial resources, the Superintendent will take reasonable measures to prevent material deviation from the budget policy adopted by the Board of Directors, cause or allow any fiscal condition that is inconsistent with the values, vision and mission stated in Board Policy 0001, or places the long-term financial health of the District in jeopardy.

Accordingly, the Superintendent will:

1. Implement proper procedures necessary to protect and account for district funds and keep complete and accurate financial records in accordance with the accounting system prescribed by the State of Washington, as contained in the Accounting Manual for School Districts;

2. Ensure district reports and filings required by any governmental agency are filed accurately and on time; 

3. Keep the Board of Directors informed of the District’s financial condition, including providing cash flow analysis for each fund with each budget status report comparing the annual (month by month) cash flow projections with year-to-date actual cash balances; 

4. Only authorize expenditures that are within the adopted budget, and assure that district purchases are based upon reasonable judgment;

5. Maintain annual budget reserves of at least 8%, with a target of 10%, for the prior fiscal year ended as of August 31st, that are adequate to be consistent with best financial practices for public school districts; 

6. Regularly inform the board while the fund balance is below 5% and how it is being rebuilt. Once above 5%, the superintendent will require board approval to spend below the 5% fund balance floor. 

7. Only incur debt that is necessary and allowed by the adopted budget;

8. Prevent unauthorized transfer of monies from one fund to another; 

9. Settle payroll and other financial obligations in a timely manner, avoiding interest charges, late fees, penalties and a loss of discounts; and

10. Reasonably pursue receivables.

Board Discussion, Action, and/or Recommendations

The Board discussed item 5 of OE-07 and asked District staff to provide an update at the next meeting on Thursday, May 28 on options the Board should consider for item 5.

After the Partial Governance Process Monitoring agenda, the meeting transitioned to the Consent Agenda and Superintendent Report.

Consent Agenda – The Consent Agenda was passed 4-0 by the Board and 2-0 by the Student Representatives.

Superintendent Report – Superintendent Rundle asked Assistant Superintendent, Teaching & Learning Nova Williams to update the Board on the Access For All reading program and staff training. Williams also told the Board how the program will be at all four elementary schools next year and what the program will look like at IMS. Williams also updated the Board on the addition of a Highly Capable 3^rd/4^th class at Island Park for the 2026-27 school year. Assistant Director of Teaching and Learning also spoke to the Board on the creation of this HiCap class and the message that will be sent to families about this class and the message including a family survey.

Superintendent Rundle spoke to the Board about the possibility of transitioning from using Valedictorian and Salutatorian recognitions at MIHS graduations to using Summa Cum Laude and Magna Cume Laude recognitions. The change would honor more student successes at graduation. Using this the Class of 2026 as an example, there are 20 students would could be valedictorians but 80+ students would could be recognized as Summa Cum Laude, which is having a GPA of 3.9 or better over the course of high school. The Board discussed this proposed change and asked several questions.

Superintendent paused his update at 6pm for Public Input and Recognitions.

Public Input

One community member gave Public Input at this meeting. This was community member was:

John Anderson

To find out how you can give Public Input at a future Board meeting visit our Public Input page.

Recognitions

Eagle Scouts – Superintendent Rundle recognized 13 MISD students who have recently attained the rank of Eagle Scout in Scouting America. Each Eagle Scout introduced themselves and told the Board about the community project they completed to receive their Eagle Scout rank.

The students recognized with their troop and their Eagle Scout project are listed below.

Troop 678 (Girls troop)

• Sabina Leveque (Senior) – Park Bench Installation and Landscaping for Mercer Island Jewish Community Center.

Troop 457

• Charlie Prophater (Junior) – Raised Planting Platforms at Luther Burbank Park.

 

Troop 624

• Amanuel Bergquist (Junior) – Constructed a greenhouse for Food Bank Farm in Snohomish County.
• Khai McMullan (Junior) – Constructed benches, installed native plant signs, and completed a nature trail extension for a local church.
• Bowen Nago (8th Grade) – Built a cedar fence for the City of Mercer Island Parks Department at Luther Burbank Park.
• Neil Pandya (Junior) - Leveled a playground area and installed pavers for a local nonprofit preschool.
• Timothé Piteira (Senior) – Designed and installed a nature trail at a local church.
• Matthew Strong (Junior) – Built Wild Owl Boxes for use at a local church.

Troop 647

• Davis Chang (Junior) – Mercer Island Municipal Court Relocation - Built tables, cabinets, and drawers from natural and sustainable materials for Mercer Island Municipal Court's relocation from Mercer Island to Newcastle.
• Davis Fick (Senior) – Mercer Island Parks Restoration / Full Circle Restoration Project - Volunteer trailer outfitting with gear racks & park-based environmental restoration project coordinated with Mercer Island Parks.
• Vander Garr (Senior) – Flag Collection at Veterans of Foreign Wars - Design & build of U.S. Flag collection box at the Veterans of Foreign Wars building on Mercer Island.
• Zayar Thein (Senior) – Seattle Buddhist Temple Conservation - Build and planting of flower beds at the temple's grounds.
• Kolby Varnes (Sophomore) – Mercer Island Farmers Market - Design & Build of Mercer Island Farmers Market Sign coordinated with Mercer Island Farmers Market Board.
• Alexander Yin (Senior) – Mary Wayte Pool - Little Library & Planting Beds - Design & build of Little Library & planting of flower beds outside Mary Wayte Pool.

Rundle continued his report after the recognition of MISD Eagle Scouts. He told the Board about updates he would like to bring to the Board at a future meeting about the District’s Fundamentals.

Rundle also spoke to the Board about results of the Healthy Youth Survey conducted by Mercer Island Youth and Family Services and how he will be presenting this information to the PTA Council with Derek Franklin from MIYFS.

The last two items on the agenda after the Superintendent Report were the Legislative Report and Board Director Announcements, Inquiries, and Reports.

Board Announcements, Inquiries, and Reports

Director Burnett – Director Burnett spoke about the Student Safety Committee meeting with Praesidium. She is looking forward to the Community Day of Inclusion at Northwood on Saturday from 11am-3pm. Burnett spoke about feedback she is receiving from community members on a number of topics.

Director Lee – Director Lee attended several band programs and events and spoke about how the band program is thriving.

Director Bradley – Director Bradley spoke about the first six months of being on the School Board. He spoke about the Technology Advisory Group reforming. Bradley attended several Parent Advisory Committee meetings. He spoke about the Community Conversation and Listening Session on May 11 at the MIHS PAC from 6-7pm. 

Director Tucker – Director Tucker did not have any announcements or updates.

Legislative Report – Director Bradley presented a Legislative Report to the Board compiled by him and Cristina Martinez.

The meeting adjourned at 6:54pm.

We encourage community members to watch the YouTube recording of the May 7 Board Meeting to learn more about what was discussed by Board Directors. 

To see when the next Board Meeting is visit the Meeting Calendar and Agendas page.

To learn more about MISD’s School Board Directors visit our School Board Information page.