Board addresses petition to exclude director from graduation; director issues apology and board stresses due process

The Mercer Island School District Board of Directors on Monday addressed a student petition asking that a board director be excused from attending the high school graduation because of social‑media posts the petitioners said were offensive.

Director Lee, whose social‑media activity prompted the petition, delivered a public statement acknowledging the harm caused by posts she had liked and shared and apologizing to community members who were hurt. "To anyone, most especially those in the Jewish community, who have experienced pain as a result of these posts, I am deeply sorry," Director Lee said. She said she had not fully understood the posts''impact when first called to account and pledged to be "much more aware of how my online activity may be perceived." She also said the last four months of public…