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Superintendent Fred Rondo urges community unity after bond vote falls short of supermajority
Summary
Superintendent Fred Rondo told supporters at the Mercer Island Schools Foundation breakfast that a majority of voters backed last week’s bond but it failed to reach Washington’s required supermajority, touted student achievements and urged continued community investment.
Superintendent Fred Rondo said onstage at the Mercer Island Schools Foundation breakfast that the district will press ahead after last week’s bond vote, which earned majority support but fell short of the state’s supermajority requirement. "A majority of voters voted yes for our schools," Rondo said, adding that 56.5% supported the measure and that turnout exceeded half of registered voters.
Rondo framed the result as a reason to continue the district’s work rather than a defeat. "We are not deterred. We're not defeated. We are determined," he said, asking volunteers and staff who supported the campaign since 2023 to stand for recognition for their "tenacity" and "dedication." He thanked the Mercer Island Schools Foundation and others who helped run the campaign.
The superintendent highlighted recent student and school accomplishments as evidence of ongoing progress. He said AP exam participation has grown substantially since 2012 (from roughly 469 AP exams to about 1,420 last year) and that the district expects to administer more than 1,500 AP exams next month. He also noted the high school radio station received national recognition and that students from the district have been finalists in national contests.
Rondo disputed a narrative that large numbers of students are leaving the district, saying year-to-year attrition is lower than pre‑COVID levels and that — excluding kindergarten — incoming students outnumber departures about two to one. He also said about 12% of students who live on Mercer Island chose an option other than the district, a rate he described as consistent with pre‑COVID patterns.
On finances, Rondo said district staff have worked since 2023 to improve reserves, raising the fund balance from a deficit to about $3,600,000, which he noted still does not fully cover a month of operating costs but represents progress for a third consecutive year. He acknowledged that the district still has "a gap to fill" for programs and staffing.
Rondo put the bond result in broader context, thanking state lawmakers who advocated for public education during the recent legislative session and saying the district will continue pursuing both short‑ and long‑term steps, including planning toward a future levy in 2027. He closed by urging continued community support for students, staff and public education.
The breakfast featured student voices and recognition of volunteers; Rondo ended with thanks to attendees and a call to move forward with "urgency and purpose."
