[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6358632,"mediaKeyId","2212068-3943400263c6153dd49ffa43a4f1d26c","parentId",2212068,"title","Board accepts superintendent's summative evaluation amid extended public comment and some dissent","audioSeconds",569,"startMs",3640000,"endMs",4209000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212068-3943400263c6153dd49ffa43a4f1d26c&start=3640&end=4209","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212068-3943400263c6153dd49ffa43a4f1d26c/thumbnail_3640000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6358632/Washington/Board-accepts-superintendents-summative-evaluation-amid-extended-public-comment-and-some-dissent","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358632-3de385f11781ee4e4629971119134366/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997325&Signature=Qj5ycVvwtUERNi5QC8D238eASvbrBl7rpm-Y5uyGVjfVPT9c5lP6Xzlhek9FNz9r3eUp7Idk7T2aOXip1FyIfjHFdYrm8YC5UC-qqaZ4C64ac2mlpIE4GxvxcsxmiUaAY6V7vuIGuF~3f1PGzb06r-vwx8K9DLt~CBfJ8TfDWpCTHJxsRH6fnzoIdk0JyiepqJFFqI-VXH8CQupvFG2qtiQf9yGqhaGsYbGaiijc0C~8fmarpAPTV1033eaICGEOuE0V4FZtgHjxP9iUE3beb9HJG6sCJKaLq-~MjEAS0jZbUhTMFKyUE~0Dv-7UtxRhGlVjJF2SvqKmDttVIFvF1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mercer Island School District, WA","date","2025-02-02T16:59:37Z","article","The Mercer Island School District board accepted the superintendent's annual summative evaluation after extended public comment and a divided board vote.

Public comment: the meeting drew a series of public speakers who largely praised Superintendent Fred Rundle's leadership and district initiatives. Parents, volunteers and community organizations highlighted recent programs and pilot work, the district's communications and attention to student supports. Megan Banta, a parent and PTA volunteer, credited the superintendent and staff for launching a dyslexia intervention pilot this year and said, \"As a direct result, this year, we have a pilot program running at both Island Park and Northwood Elementaries with 6 classrooms across grades 1, 2, 3, and 5.\" Several other speakers, including Lisa Dean, Jamie Lundeen and Sharon (last name in transcript \"Prez\"), told the board they supported Rundle's student‑focused approach and his efforts on equity, safety and arts programming.

A smaller number of public commenters raised concerns about board culture, retaliation and curriculum. One commenter left a multi‑page packet alleging misconduct by unnamed board members and said parents feared retribution; the speaker asked the board to consider resignations. Another commenter urged the board to address perceived shortcomings in math instruction and curriculum.

Board deliberations and vote: board members discussed board policy 16 OE5 (monitoring of superintendent performance) during the meeting and debated whether the board had sufficient and timely information when it approved some prior contractual decisions. One board director said they could not approve the summative evaluation, citing operational concerns across academics and finances and referencing a Jan. 14 memo in the record. Other directors and several student representatives praised Rundle's engagement with student voice and district initiatives.

The board took a formal vote to approve the superintendent's summative evaluation (motion and mover/second not specified in public transcript). The vote passed with a recorded opposition from at least one director in the public record; the transcript records at least one \"nay\" and indicates the motion carried. The transcript does not contain a full roll‑call with all individual votes listed publicly.

Why it matters: superintendent evaluations are a formal board responsibility and can shape district direction, personnel decisions and public confidence. The meeting revealed both strong community support for the superintendent's work (program pilots, student supports, arts and counselor services) and persistent community concerns about governance tone, curriculum and financial choices.

What's next: with the summative evaluation approved, the board and superintendent will continue regular monitoring under operational expectations and board policy; several board members requested follow‑up on specific policy language and asked staff to deliver additional data where they had outstanding questions.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025 01 30 MISD Board Regular Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Mercer Island School District board accepted Superintendent Fred Rundle's annual summative evaluation after extended public comment that included multiple speakers praising his leadership and at least one board director voting in opposition.","taxTitle","Mercer Island School District, School Districts, Washington","taxId",57180,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6358638,"Board reviews financial dashboard and debates fund‑balance target after Moody's changes",178,461000,639000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212068-3943400263c6153dd49ffa43a4f1d26c&start=461&end=639","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212068-3943400263c6153dd49ffa43a4f1d26c/thumbnail_461000.jpg","/articles/6358638/Washington/Board-reviews-financial-dashboard-and-debates-fundbalance-target-after-Moodys-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358638-d97ae36e4a582214d972d36c6d1161d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997325&Signature=cEALTJS0rU~03QbJnHc~bmDmQSGxpyZRabIQmDtKkrI9IVB7BLtaj8GVQzC3eAakz2-K3TrisWahb0OAG--GibG5rn-QMVJjeOLIdiLFSNtTrS5LdYrQ-uNLZkfTDoyULp7FeaTAeLBC0bgFEKVgBdl77QgQ~QecIawAcWZ5KCc3~jBgdoLqUv5hZy8Ie1R99FPhC5jMoCIgYlzgvh7hzggEvbi20K-NSfYuythdr-xEN~WRiJDBhWNcM4Wul1XiplJ~HB6I3FMsBmGSjTFv5DmqZ5tFavP9wAIlNytyTwSqKCdzDKlVthgrIylTLtB8fCEQpML4QiSS12ZCYEKOBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mercer Island School District board reviewed its 2024–25 financial dashboard and November and December budget status reports and discussed longer‑term fund‑balance goals after recent changes in credit‑rating practice.

District finance staff summarized December finances: expenditures were running ahead of the fiscal‑year proportion at about 33.4% while the year was roughly 23.3% complete; revenues were lower than expenditures in the month. Staff reported a year‑to‑date increase in cash on hand of about $574,000 and said special‑education out‑of‑state placements had dropped from two students to one. The district also presented a projection that, unless additional revenue materializes, there might be a shortfall next year in the range described in the presentation as roughly \"2 and a half to 3 [million]\" dollars.

Director Sullivan walked the board through the monitoring report for Operational Expectation (OE) 6 (financial planning). He said the district remains \"not in compliance\" on the OE element related to maintaining budget reserves at a level Moody's and other agencies use for bond‑rating analysis. Sullivan and other board members discussed recent Moody's credit guidance that staff said now looks for higher reserve percentages (discussion in the meeting cited a 15% target referenced by Moody's). Board members disagreed on whether policy language should anchor monitoring to bond‑rating agency criteria or instead to a locally defined, operational metric such as two months of operating payroll (roughly an 8% fund balance target under the district's interpretation).

Board action and votes: the board approved the OE6 monitoring item as posted (motion and mover/second not specified in the transcript) with the record showing the board accepted the monitoring report while noting the fund‑balance deficiency. The board separately reviewed OE8 (asset protection) and approved that item as in compliance. The transcript records the board approving the monitoring materials but does not provide a complete roll‑call vote for the financial item in the public text.

Why it matters: board policy ties superintendent performance monitoring to operational expectations that include financial planning and maintaining reserves. Directors said the district's short‑term reserve position and the state's legislative environment (including possible changes to school funding) make fund‑balance planning a board priority. Some members argued that tying policy to an external vendor's evolving criteria (credit agencies) risks setting an unachievable standard; others said the bond‑rating reality affects borrowing costs and should inform monitoring.

Clarifying budget figures and enrollment: staff said the district's kindergarten and first‑grade cohorts were larger than projected (presentation cited about 220 first graders and an unusually large kindergarten class compared with prior years), which helped revenues tied to enrollment. The district estimated it will reach roughly 4.5% fund balance by year end under the current budget assumptions but acknowledged that the target of 8% (about two months of operating payroll) remains a multi‑year objective.

What's next: directors asked staff to bring clarifying language options for OE6 so the board can decide whether to anchor monitoring to an external rating threshold or to a locally controlled metric. Staff will continue to monitor legislative developments in Olympia that could affect state revenue and levy caps.

","Board finance staff told the Mercer Island School District board that December spending outpaced the fiscal‑year proportion and that, absent more revenue, the district could face a projected shortfall described in the presentation as roughly $2.5 million to $3 million next year.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6358641,"Mercer Island board approves next phase of Merrie Wade Pool progressive design‑build contract",0,1445000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2212068-3943400263c6153dd49ffa43a4f1d26c&start=1445&end=1445","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2212068-3943400263c6153dd49ffa43a4f1d26c/thumbnail_1445000.jpg","/articles/6358641/Washington/Mercer-Island-board-approves-next-phase-of-Merrie-Wade-Pool-progressive-designbuild-contract","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6358641-99e70debe20dd1b87a5553f9594ae2e2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997325&Signature=nYm6ijESIQWtKxEJAUSUOVQ2W2zpnd83sKn0oB5O2XfE6L6OYSRFkftcZYdyoXQWpfNLsVKzFTxdqpjfUBNCdNIIWGI-gT1uurmcZevBs3uyPVqMiaz47ZSb4GQ7B5BP8h~F-0ZDF2fWMNZvg9tiTG~yuJQuL6h~9QAcSx56qCHYAWx9Ke1lho0oI1mLRYf5nBEmMgew7Q4AOKNOuNiWhFDdO~2auLCssL20HpQBioMEWnfz8~4GinYP7TdngX4FOMs6G0zi3V0U4MrSaj8j~~yaIEjqRR-SrUkEAe~bk8vzevQwpiGeIWlDk7x~vwNGDJ6qFoMuhCJnbpXu3VrfXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mercer Island School District board on (date not specified in the record) approved the validation phase of a progressive design‑build contract for the Merrie Wade Pool project, moving the effort from design authorization toward a guaranteed maximum price later in the process.

The decision advances work financed primarily through the CapTech levy and a King County grant. Brandy, a district staff presenter, told the board the levy included $2,000,000 earmarked for the Merrie Wade Pool if outside grant funding was secured. \"If you remember, the CapTAC levy that was passed included $2,000,000 for a Merry Way pool, assuming we were able to secure grant funding from King County, which we were successful at,\" Brandy said.

Why it matters: the district is using a progressive design‑build delivery method, approved by the state, so the contractor leads design and the district and contractor jointly define a final scope that fits a budget ceiling. That approach lets the district spend up front on a validation phase to inspect existing conditions, scope repairs and prioritize life‑safety and accessibility work before the contract moves to a guaranteed maximum price (GMP).

Key details: Brandy described the contract structure and the district's recent work with the selected contractor and legal counsel. The contract as presented includes numerous exhibits and supporting documents. The board was told the validation phase—when the contractor and architect will determine final scope and pricing—will cost about $145,000 (presented as $100,000 plus an additional $45,000 of validation work). The board was also told the eventual maximum for the project would be set in the GMP stage and discussed as up to roughly $3,000,000 in the presentation materials.

District staff said the validation work will include a pool condition survey (the pool will be drained during winter break so specialists can assess the pool bowl) and an assessment of life‑safety upgrades, plus accessibility and locker‑room priorities. The district noted some supporting items (door replacements, hardware) are also likely to appear in final scoping.

The board approved the agenda item as posted (motion and mover/second not specified in the transcript record) and the vote resulted in approval (vote counts not specified in the public transcript). Following the vote, staff will proceed with the validation phase and return to the board with the GMP and final project scope once validation is complete.

Background: District leaders said the progressive design‑build approach required state approval and allows the contractor to engage the architect; in this model the scope is adjusted to meet the agreed budget ceiling. School staff emphasized the district has pursued grant funding and will coordinate Merrie Wade work with other CapTech projects planned for the summer, such as elementary painting and bus‑lot infrastructure work.

What's next: staff will perform the validation work described to determine the pool bowl condition and the extent of life‑safety and accessibility work required. The board will later consider the guaranteed maximum price and final scope once validation results are available.

","The Mercer Island School District board approved the validation phase of a progressive design‑build contract for the Merrie Wade Pool project, funded largely by the district's CapTech levy plus a King County grant. The validation phase is budgeted at about $145,000; the contract includes a maximum price ceiling to be set after validation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board accepts superintendent's summative evaluation amid extended public comment and some dissent

Board reviews financial dashboard and debates fund‑balance target after Moody's changes

Mercer Island board approves next phase of Merrie Wade Pool progressive design‑build contract