MI School Board meeting highlights from March 12

Published 3:40 pm Monday, March 16, 2026

Mercer Island School District’s March 12 board meeting featured numerous topics, including student recognition, proposed revisions to the board policy regarding sexual harassment of students, and the board policy monitoring superintendent performance.

Recognitions

Superintendent Fred Rundle spotlighted the 3A state champion Mercer Island High School (MIHS) girls swim and dive squad, the MIHS Washington Music Educators Association All-State Honor Ensembles and the district’s State Superintendent’s Award for Educational Excellence. Rundle also recognized National Development Disabilities Awareness Month; Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day; Purim; National SEL (social and emotional learning) Week; Education Support Professionals Week; Eid al Fitr; and Nowruz.

Board policy

On the proposed revisions to the board policy regarding sexual harassment of students prohibited, Rundle noted that recommendations and changes come from committees and the Washington State School Directors Association, respectively.

Assistant Superintendent of Compliance, Legal Affairs and Human Resources Erin Battersby discussed one addition to the policy that the district was already complying with: “District/school staff shall not provide a recommendation of employment for an employee, contractor, or agent that the District/school, or the individual acting on behalf of the District/school, knows or has probable cause to believe, has engaged in sexual misconduct with a student or minor in violation of the law.”

Battersby said the district is required to have annual Title IX meetings and wants to make sure that it is reviewing the policy consistently.

“We also want to make sure that we are having the voice of the public as part of this,” she said.

Superintendent performance

The school board policy monitoring superintendent performance on the agenda featured a letter to Rundle from board President Stephanie Burnett on behalf of the board of directors.

Burnett’s letter focused on the elements of student safety, district finances and leadership, and communication and community engagement.

In part, the student safety section reads: “The Board of Directors recognizes the concern expressed by students, families, staff, and the broader Mercer Island community regarding student safety following the revelations involving former MIHS teachers Chris Twombley and Curtis Johnston. The Board appreciates the seriousness with which you have approached this issue and your commitment to strengthening systems that ensure a safe and respectful learning environment for all students.”

At the meeting, student representative to the board Brody Newcomer spoke to Rundle about the challenging year they’ve faced: “In terms of balance and in terms of keeping people (feeling) like they can trust their leadership in a time when trust should be lost, you have done, again, remarkably. It’s something we as students, and I’m sure community members, feel and appreciate every day.”

In the letter, Burnett said the board appreciates Rundle’s leadership in guiding the district through a challenging financial environment for public education, and recognizes his professionalism and steady leadership while navigating “a period of heightened public concern while continuing to support students, staff, and the day-to-day work of the district.”

Rundle noted: “It doesn’t happen without so many people and really trying to work together, and in the community also electing five people who I really think are here to join forces and do great things for this school district.”

Tort claim

Regarding the tort claim a former MIHS student has filed against the district — alleging administrators failed to intervene and protect her from being targeted, groomed and sexually abused by Johnston, according to an InvestigateWest story — school board member Julian Bradley said the district is reviewing the claim and remains committed to student safety.