MISD board discusses safe school environments and more

Published 10:00 am Friday, April 10, 2026

The Mercer Island School District’s board agenda April 9 featured the topics of safe school environments and limiting immigration enforcement in schools.

First, the board and student representatives voted 5-0 and 2-0, respectively, to approve the Washington State School Directors’ Association’s proposed permanent position regarding students and staff being “entitled to safe and respectful learning environments free from sexual harassment and sex-based misconduct.”

Board member Cristina Martinez said some changes were made to the document since it was last discussed at the board’s March 26 regular meeting so that each school will have more independence on applying the policies and systems noted in the document.

The document items include supporting age-appropriate prevention education that promotes respectful relationships and awareness of reporting options. It also includes ensuring accessible, student-centered reporting pathways, including trusted adults, and more.

In another 5-0, 2-0 vote, the board and student reps approved their involvement in signing a letter to state legislators “advocating for the protection of schools as sensitive locations under federal immigration policy.”

Board President Stephanie Burnett, who said they received an email from the Bellevue School District Board of Directors about the letter, noted: “Our priority is ensuring that our kids are able to learn in the best possible environment.”

Other board members shared their thoughts on the issue. Vice President Jody Lee said she supports any cause that shows commitment to local community members and anybody who might be affected by this situation.

Board member Maggie Tai Tucker joined in on the conversation: “I just think there is zero reason for immigration enforcement to be occurring in or next to our schools. If somebody is here illegally, there’s lots of places you can go to address that. It doesn’t have to be happening in the schools and disrupting our kids’ educations.”

If immigration enforcement does show up at a school with a warrant, that front office staff would first notify the district office about the situation, said Mercer Island School District Superintendent Fred Rundle. Then either he or Assistant Superintendent of Compliance, Legal Affairs and Human Resources Erin Battersby would go to the school and meet with immigration enforcement to ensure that their credentials are valid and their presence complies with what would be a reason to contact a student or staff member.

CREST LEARNING CENTER

The superintendent also briefly discussed Crest Learning Center at the meeting.

According to a recent letter from Mercer Island High School (MIHS) Principal Nick Wold to Crest students and families, shrinking enrollment will bring about some changes.

The letter reads, in part: “Starting next fall (2026-2027 school year), Horticulture and Marine Science will continue to take place at Crest, but we will be moving the rest of the courses to the main high school campus and no longer offer the Crest Block. Instead of the Block, our counseling, Social Studies, English and Special Education teams (for students with an IEP) will work to place each student in appropriate classes. At the same time, the course selection process will account for their other elective, math, and science requests as well.”

Crest isn’t closing, the district said. Wold said they are committed to supporting everyone through this transition, adding that the current Crest staff will not be displaced. “Each of them will continue to have a role in our school, but more importantly in the social, emotional, and academic development of the students,” he said.

At the meeting, board member Julian Bradley asked Rundle if he’d be setting up a tour of the center with current and former Crest families who are concerned about the changes to Crest’s programs. Rundle replied that a tour may come in the future and that he’ll be conducting a formal meeting with Crest families at MIHS.

Two concerned community members have posted a petition on the change.org site titled “Save Crest Learning Center.”

The petition reads, in part: “The reality is, some people need a different learning environment than ‘typical’ students, a type of environment that the main building cannot and has never been able to provide. For many Crest alumni, we wouldn’t have graduated with a high school diploma at all without Crest and its staff.” The Reporter attempted to contact petitioners Samantha Bannach-Volchok and Grace McCormack, but was unable to connect as of press time.

Crest graduate Catherine Nyhan shared her experience at the learning center with the Reporter: “Without Crest, I would have never completed high school after dropping out. Now I am a university professor and I teach about the benefits of alternative schools. My school counselors there really helped me so much.”