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 criticism had been difficult for her and her family and asked for the opportunity to regain trust.

Legal limits and board authority: board leaders and the superintendent told the public the district is constrained by state law and governance norms. At the study session the superintendent cited the Tinker v. Des Moines standard for students' free speech in schools and reminded the board that graduation is a board meeting; that means the board cannot lawfully exclude a board member from a meeting because of outside speech by that member. The superintendent also cited state recall and complaint processes (transcribed references to RCW provisions were discussed at the meeting).

Board responses and student voice: several board directors urged dialogue and said student concerns should be heard. Director Jody and others encouraged students and community members who object to pursue available legal and civic paths, including recall or election, and to engage directly with board members. Several board members and students said they support student activism but urged protest tactics that do not disrupt a once‑in‑a‑lifetime graduation ceremony.

Graduation planning and free speech bounds: Principal Nick Wold and activities coordinator Kristen Britnell described steps the school is taking to remind seniors of expectations and to reduce disruption on June 16. The district will review regalia rules, cap decorations and noisemakers and will hold senior meetings this spring to set expectations. Principal Wold said failure to comply with ceremony expectations can lead to removal from the graduation ceremony only if the behavior would materially and substantially disrupt the event; he noted the district intends to educate students and uses progressive conversations before resorting to exclusion.

What happens next: no board action was taken to remove a director. Board leaders urged civil dialogue, invited students to meet with board members and staff and asked administrators to continue monitoring situation and to remind seniors of ceremony rules. Several directors asked staff to ensure the community has access to the full meeting record and to provide ways for students to engage in direct conversation with board members.

Ending: The board closed the study session without a formal disciplinary action; Director Lee remained a member of the board and was expected to attend district events subject to routine public‑meeting rules.