[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-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",[32,76,88,100],{"_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",6239501,"mediaKeyId","3337522-bd50f05e664b23b84e697a9769a468cf","parentId",3337522,"title","District says nurse reductions will be smaller than feared and staffing model will remain dynamic","audioSeconds",97,"startMs",7479000,"endMs",7576000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3337522-bd50f05e664b23b84e697a9769a468cf&start=7479&end=7576","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3337522-bd50f05e664b23b84e697a9769a468cf/thumbnail_7479000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6239501/Washington/District-says-nurse-reductions-will-be-smaller-than-feared-and-staffing-model-will-remain-dynamic","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239501-ac0cf45e229ec61e96d74515683cab75/orig.mp4?Expires=1770707515&Signature=Wn3FMD9rZSqxdTJ5Trs44GVQMOHk4IjrOJ-onhIfhFHR6SsAjzwFuaGPK3I8lpOpDpkZEz7k~uCXMtzzVPt1G8rhWUH6sr~vCWZtydiQ0GX2QoVvIYTfeS-jYgjyIAHWSfgPiw7Ji59WmTnkHuZF8EwmBVePvXFdy27MLW7GBFN9pf3fwcTKZPSR~QXreAgQoMnq1tKq4dCGqyTTjBgVUf~kWN2n42qrwAJA9xIX02tpvDpDjhw7q06b~cQygL2kIln3aZzOvX6MfS~-EUttV7X9z2aFIKVS8MZNKuC01iOm7V3H1Oh1CBaxSZ0VYdUhD~PRFJndw96BByssAYI1Ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mercer Island School District, WA","date","2025-05-16T06:06:23Z","article","Administrators told PTA leaders that the district is unlikely to implement broad certificated layoffs and that proposed reductions to nursing hours will be smaller and targeted after a review of student health-care plans.

On staffing, the district said it has absorbed some certificated staff into other roles as resignations and shifting staffing needs have emerged. \"We're just not seeing that [large-scale job loss],\" an administrator said when asked about certificated reductions.

The larger concern discussed was school nursing. District administrators and nursing staff convened a work team to reassess how nursing hours are distributed. The team examined individual student health-care plans and options for meeting students' medical needs while preserving a sustainable workload for nurses.

Administrators said the planned reduction for certificated nursing workload now looks like a modest change rather than a large cut. \"We think we'll see the reduction of between 6 and 8 hours a week for certificated nursing between LPNs and RNs,\" an administrator said, adding that the district reworked formulas to focus staffing on student need rather than identical staffing at every building.

Parents asked whether families with specific medical needs were contacted; administrators said nurses reviewed all health-care plans and staffing decisions were made with those plans in mind. They emphasized the priority to meet students' medical needs and to avoid creating untenable workloads for nurses.

The district said it will revisit the staffing model each trimester and maintain a group to study staffing in preparation for future years. \"Usually, one student can change that model when they enroll,\" a district official said, describing plans for ongoing review.

No final personnel changes were announced at the meeting. Administrators said they would continue to monitor resignations and hiring and to adjust limited contracts and nursing hours as needed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","MISD Board Linkage w SSA 2025 05 15","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent and administrators told PTA leaders that certificated layoffs are unlikely and that planned reductions in nursing hours will be targeted to needs; the district will reassess staffing each trimester and tailor services by building.","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},6239506,"After bond failure, Mercer Island board hears parents' concerns about next steps, potential school closures",691,4776000,5467000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3337522-bd50f05e664b23b84e697a9769a468cf&start=4776&end=5467","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3337522-bd50f05e664b23b84e697a9769a468cf/thumbnail_4776000.jpg","/articles/6239506/Washington/After-bond-failure-Mercer-Island-board-hears-parents-concerns-about-next-steps-potential-school-closures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239506-50f3393710320d7dd1a4c633c8ef501c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770707515&Signature=PnUXDfN8PXt8tUfUGlAZEqbusZwVSfDCCUq5o~r3goQ-TJ2I~xi6PtzMFFwE8x8Yr5Tw7BSjXiKagIh6It89fuTj7EcszTNK8e~wkSwDGG0MVedsv-OZ64gTYMxFxXHbx4HhaWhGh99pZHBBPdWFBRehejcpeK3hs1pE5vgWQACjQ0U4tT7cVTkUo7qyYlX200FH95v~dWwB-K5-em-OsDbVhimdO9qr5RJMpmSrLXmYr1nZD2Galg6in7N9ZUf1ujZRI72I784-8kkrbZcGUlVx12Tq7epIDrZFqdESGLxOFm2rJiBRUdTT6P5aGOB89rfY68j2OHbMxdDtByBJNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parents and PTA leaders pressed the Mercer Island School Board on next steps after a recent bond proposal failed and raised concerns about which buildings would be prioritized in any future plan.

Julian Bradley, president of the PTA Council, and other PTA representatives asked whether the district planned to prioritize a levy over a bond and how volunteers could be recruited for what they called an exhausted advocacy base. \"Parents are most concerned about the levy passing in November,\" Bradley said, asking whether the community should prioritize that effort before proposing another bond.

Board members framed school-closure decisions as policy-level questions that would require broad community engagement and careful analysis. \"My view is that there's no question of closing a school in a district of our size is a policy question,\" said a board member, explaining that long-range planning considers enrollment, community needs and building conditions before recommendations go to the board.

The crowd asked whether Island Park, discussed during prior facilities planning, might return to the table. Board members said all options remain on the table and noted that committees previously ranked Island Park and other elementary buildings based on condition and site constraints. They described trade-offs among enrollment, building condition and logistics, including whether the district could swing students into another building during construction.

Officials discussed funding options beyond another bond. They noted a nonvoted debt option that could leverage district property valuation to borrow within statutory limits without a public vote, a path that would require at least three board members to approve the financing. \"Nonvoted debt could buy a significant project but would place three board members in the hot seat for deciding without a public vote,\" a board member said.

Board members signaled the need for more outreach and time to assess public appetite. They announced a May 29 study session to walk through bond costs, options for splitting projects, and strategies for surveying and canvassing the community. Board members also discussed a recent advocacy resolution asking the state legislature to lower the bond passage threshold from 60% to 55%.

PTA representatives described tension between creating a bond plan and the limited volunteer capacity to do advocacy work. Parents also raised equity concerns: some said high school extracurriculars and specialized courses appear better resourced because they tend to be student- or parent-driven, while smaller elementary schools struggle to sustain programs when volunteers are spread thin.

No final decisions about a new bond, closures or nonvoted debt were made at the meeting. Board members said they would continue deliberations in upcoming study sessions and seek more community input before any formal proposal is developed.","PTA leaders and board members discussed options after the recent bond failed, including revisiting priorities, the possibility of nonvoted debt and community outreach to educate voters; parents asked whether closing or renovating elementary schools such as Island Park might return to consideration.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6239511,"Students tell Mercer Island board they want clearer responses to hateful language, better newcomer supports",1204,2129000,3333000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3337522-bd50f05e664b23b84e697a9769a468cf&start=2129&end=3333","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3337522-bd50f05e664b23b84e697a9769a468cf/thumbnail_2129000.jpg","/articles/6239511/Washington/Students-tell-Mercer-Island-board-they-want-clearer-responses-to-hateful-language-better-newcomer-supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239511-a109c567e22567238ad53ff3879f4b1a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770707515&Signature=g3vDSkG2N-~CaL4FLDqy~BKIina0nBzVrXZ2eXj2LIF4VSGuBfBk6bVQF-Q4M3SwwjThiq7Zd1CZn7zLjQqbiBXhv6Bu6x~Bv6uYHW-fAOEVS2fXqTh1tfghBxgHX32iHG11mokNDCmp1DtShKedPnpkr1MkKstEbCRF8LIWOqHXuDsXquWbmmUHZtB5jTFRFHkoOgi6JnYL3Z5NtPztwU56rHC10NOCX15OK6LVfa3FwHCS-aSpapoPg3llt0on4~Uzv~3lAX9L9798S0ja9JUJL-eWnKex1PNZ26o~XT2I6AAXbVzjUJY7niE~pKoQO9NkTGHk8l8b0kipOZfUug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Students from Mercer Island schools told the School Board during a Superintendent's Student Advisory meeting that they have noticed an increase in hateful language and that new students sometimes struggle to integrate.

\"We talked about how the younger couches are impacting all the schools and their pros and cons and how we enforce the policy,\" said a student reporting from a small group, who also raised concerns about \"bad language and slurs\" heard at every school level. Students asked for lessons that move beyond repeated exhortations to \"be respectful\" and instead teach how to be \"an upstander\" — what to do when they hear hate speech.

Board members and staff heard students describe specific initiatives aimed at promoting belonging: fifth-grade legacy projects to support transitions, middle- and high-school traditions and proposed involvement of academic advisors to make course pathways clearer for new students. Students urged that information about transitions into sixth grade arrive before summer to reduce summer uncertainty.

Several groups also urged more social-emotional learning focused on cultural competency and on practical bystander responses. \"We talked a bit about the need for maybe some more social emotional learning, specifically around this sort of increase in the hate speech that we're seeing,\" one student said.

Students raised questions about counseling and follow-through. Romy asked whether counselors listen and act on student concerns and said sometimes students feel counselors only listen and do not take action. The district responded that youth and family services counselors work in partnership with the city and that counselors may be working behind the scenes with teachers to address issues. \"If you're not sure that something's being followed through, talking to your teacher to help with that in bridging with your counselor\" was the district's guidance.

Board members urged students to continue reporting incidents and to use formal channels so administrators can act. \"Don't ever suffer in silence,\" Deborah Lurie, a board member, told students. Several board members emphasized that student input is central to board decisions and thanked students for attending.

No new district policy or disciplinary rule was adopted at the meeting; administrators said they will continue to consider student recommendations and existing programs, including orientation and SEL efforts, as part of ongoing work.","At the Superintendent's Student Advisory meeting, students described rising use of slurs and called for refreshed SEL instruction, bystander education and stronger newcomer onboarding across elementary through high school.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6239515,"Mercer Island students, board and staff debate device policy, ask for clearer tech support",252,2551000,2803000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3337522-bd50f05e664b23b84e697a9769a468cf&start=2551&end=2803","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3337522-bd50f05e664b23b84e697a9769a468cf/thumbnail_2551000.jpg","/articles/6239515/Washington/Mercer-Island-students-board-and-staff-debate-device-policy-ask-for-clearer-tech-support","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239515-0a163404cd04b8bc45ebbfdc103be126/orig.mp4?Expires=1770707515&Signature=j2wDNEeKkg0Q~SJUc1OXlWGXNvU6zJiu7RD7gKQbZfdoyHUY8I9pZwK5fD0sQoBA4Efqj8KB3UXL3HixZWu-b5S8HTaUK1oF9RnJeU7VtZL5iEHOdJxGe9f0j9Po-IKE1czCfUtJY9Lzp30U4IlORkSiAN73EaaHSKRC6vXQE~QJ5ZXlbAvPWnutWkTeaBlQSDtbyZO-y6JaKraJF~2uD0C4FJ6tSi80TPbzrlhZzFFpqeOkEygqJu9pPLFI97HbpwE6Zj~NWpFUE4oCTu1z9T7DuAUx4qaf~GEIUCejXfUEp84VDa2hBGSrZxIGPnlp3iDfy6xwdFLPO8bvTjzjlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Students at a Mercer Island School District Superintendent's Student Advisory meeting on May 29 asked district leaders to clarify a recent change in the high school personal-device policy and to address problems with school-issued laptops.

The discussion focused on why the district adjusted its phone policy and how the district's one-to-one laptop program will support classes that use resource-heavy software. \"We're now in our second year of our one-to-one laptop program,\" said Andreas, a district operations staff member, describing ongoing surveys of staff, students and families and the district's intent to use feedback from the pilot years to guide device replacement and classroom support. \"The idea with it is to minimize some of those classroom distractions and help encourage engagement in the learning that's happening in our schools.\"

Students said they had mixed reactions to the phone-pouch enforcement at the high school. Kellen, a freshman, said he originally felt \"a bit angry\" about restrictions but later appreciated fewer in-class distractions. Several students, including Joy, a junior, said the pouches reduced off-task behavior and increased use of free class time for work. Students also raised instances where teachers allowed phones back into class later in the year, which some described as uneven enforcement.

Students and board members pressed the district on technical compatibility between school laptops and course software. One student noted that classes using Adobe products or video-editing tools sometimes rely on personal devices because the district Lenovo laptops occasionally crash. Andreas said the district has placed MacBook devices in some classrooms, has upgraded memory in certain lab machines when needed and will continue gathering feedback ahead of device replacements. \"If you have anything that isn't being met, make sure you tell your teacher or technology staff, and they'll help you find a solution,\" Andreas said, providing a district contact for tech issues.

The board and staff did not announce a formal change to the device policy at the meeting. Instead, administrators described ongoing review and promised to continue collecting classroom feedback as the district prepares to replace laptops in future procurement cycles.

Board members urged students to report problems and to use official district channels rather than only relying on informal conversations. \"Don't suffer in silence,\" Deborah Lurie, a school board member, said. \"People aren't going to know what is bothering you unless you share it with somebody.\"

District staff said surveys and staff-student feedback collected during the laptop pilot years will inform device purchases and operational decisions; no specific procurement or timeline was announced at the meeting.

Board members and administrators encouraged students to report device malfunctions or software incompatibilities through the district's technology help channel so staff can identify recurring problems and prioritize upgrades.

Students said they would continue discussing devices in their school groups and expected follow-up from technology staff and their teachers.","High school students pressed district staff and board members about a new personal-device policy and laptop performance during the Superintendent's Student Advisory meeting, seeking clearer implementation, enforcement and tech support for courses that use demanding software.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

District says nurse reductions will be smaller than feared and staffing model will remain dynamic

After bond failure, Mercer Island board hears parents' concerns about next steps, potential school closures

Students tell Mercer Island board they want clearer responses to hateful language, better newcomer supports

Mercer Island students, board and staff debate device policy, ask for clearer tech support