Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Board Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board adopts updated oath policy after debate over federal vs. state wording
Summary
The Mercer Island School District board approved edits to the oath of office policy to mirror a 2025 change in state law (citing RCW 28A.343.360). Some members questioned whether the oath should explicitly reference federal laws; the board adopted the revised policy by voice vote.
The Mercer Island School District board voted to adopt revisions to its oath‑of‑office policy to align with a 2025 legislative update to Washington law.
Staff introduced the change to Policy 1111 and cited RCW 28A.343.360 as the source of the new wording requiring that school directors take an oath “to support the constitution of The United States and the state of Washington and the laws of the state of Washington.” One board member asked whether the oath should explicitly reference federal laws beyond the Constitution; staff responded that the legislative change specified state laws in the wording and pointed the board to the RCW language.
The board discussed the rationale and then approved the revised policy by voice vote. A board member offered a minor friendly correction to the text for signature formatting during the motion.
The board did not rescind or alter earlier oaths already administered; the change applies to the policy language for future administrations of the oath.
