General election time is just around the corner on Nov. 4. Here’s a look at who’s running for Mercer Island School District board director positions: Julian Bradley will be running unopposed for Director Position No. 2, and Stephanie Burnett and Robert O’Callahan will run for Director Position No. 4.
Brian Gaspar, a former candidate for Mercer Island School District Director Position No. 2, announced in August that he was no longer running for the position.
King County Elections will mail out ballots to registered voters on Oct. 15.
The Reporter sent out Q and A’s to each candidate and here are their responses:
Julian Bradley
Why are you running for Mercer Island School District board director?
We moved to Mercer Island for its outstanding public schools. Since my children’s kindergarten years, I’ve been deeply involved — from “book in the bag” volunteer to coach, PTA leader, and most recently PTA Council president. Working alongside parents, teachers, and administrators has shown me both our district’s strengths and opportunities for growth. I’m running to bring my collaborative spirit and commitment to ensuring every student thrives.
What are three critical issues within the school district and how will you address them?
Fiscal responsibility: While Washington’s McCleary-reformed funding provides basic education support, districts face constraints meeting all needs. Local levies and bonds remain crucial. I’ll prioritize transparent, strategic use of every dollar to maximize outcomes while advocating for adequate state funding.
Academic rigor: Every student deserves a challenging curriculum that develops critical thinking and high expectations. I’m committed to appropriately challenging coursework, strong college and career readiness preparation, and support systems that help all students succeed in rigorous environments.
Transparency and parent partnership: Parents need clear, timely access to information about academic progress, attendance, and activities. I’ll ensure user-friendly tools and transparent communication that empower families to partner effectively with teachers in their children’s success.
What’s your life philosophy and how does it apply to school district matters?
I was raised to look beyond surface discord to recognize the inherent goodness in every individual. When families express concerns about math pathways, college readiness, learning differences support, or district transparency around decisions like the recent bond, I don’t see complaints. I see invitations to do better from community members who care deeply about our schools.
This philosophy shapes my leadership approach. Rather than viewing differing perspectives as obstacles, I recognize them as reflections of our community’s strength. When I say “I hear you, I will work for you,” I mean bringing this spirit of seeing the good in others to every board decision. I trust that even in disagreement, we share something more powerful: our commitment to supporting all our kids. This isn’t naive optimism; it’s a deliberate practice that creates conditions for meaningful collaboration and real solutions.
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Robert O’Callahan
Why are you running for Mercer Island School District board director?
I’m running for the school board because I have two children at Island Park Elementary. I’m passionate about education, and I speak Chinese and several Slavic and Romance languages to build bridges with different cultures. I want our public schools to be the best choice for our families. For working families like mine, it’s the only option. I tutor my own kids in math to cover gaps left by school, but would rather have more time to teach them violin.
My background as an AI engineer, startup CTO, and enrichment teacher has given me the problem-solving skills, fiscal discipline, and parent-teacher’s passion to help our district focus on what matters most: student safety, academic excellence, and efficient public spending. I’m the only candidate who disagrees with the district’s handling of the Twombley abuse allegation.
What do you feel are three of the most critical issues within the school district and how do you hope to address them?
Student safety comes first. Families deserve transparency, timely parent notifications, strong anonymous reporting with anti-retaliation protections, and secure campuses so every child feels protected. Safety also means fostering an environment where no student faces harassment, abuse, racism, or antisemitism — the foundation for well-being and learning.
Next, to improve academics, we must address widespread parental concerns about heavy iPad use, which hinders students’ love of literature and executive function development. As a tutor and after-school science teacher, I’ve seen kids thrive with hands-on learning and robust curricula. I’ll push to reduce screen time, adopt proven math, literacy, and dyslexia programs, and replace i-Ready with assessments that track real progress.
Finally, we need fiscal accountability. I will prioritize budgets, levies, and capital projects to focus resources on student-facing positions and services like teachers, librarians, nurses, and learning-support staff over administrative costs. I believe improving curricula and students’ learning experience will bring families back, which is the quickest way to address funding challenges and will help pass future levies and bonds.
What’s your life philosophy and how can you apply that to school district matters?
My philosophy is lifelong learning, embracing challenges, adapting, and constantly improving. As an engineer, I know progress comes from facing hard problems with creativity and persistence. As a parent, I believe in modeling resilience and service for my children. On the school board, this philosophy means listening to parents and students, being transparent about results, and never accepting “good enough” when better is possible. It means pushing for stronger academics, safer schools, and smarter budgeting. My volunteer work, from teaching science to building tiny homes, shows my commitment to growth and service, values I’ll bring to Mercer Island schools.
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Stephanie Burnett
Why are you running for Mercer Island School District board director?
I’m excited about the positive direction a strong, effective school board can take our district. Mercer Island schools have so much to be proud of. But we need leadership that brings fresh energy, clear vision, and a deep understanding of how our schools work. My goal is to restore confidence in the board by modeling respectful debate, transparent decision-making, and genuine listening so that all Islanders feel heard. As a business owner, attorney, long-time school volunteer, and parent of students who have gone through MI schools from kindergarten through 12th grade, I bring both the experience and perspective needed to guide the district forward.
What do you feel are three of the most critical issues within the school district and how do you hope to address them?
First, rebuilding community trust is essential. Islanders should feel confident that their school board is respectful, civil, and focused on collaboration. Families need to know that our schools are safe places. I will work to foster open communication, increase transparency on key issues, and ensure that strong protocols are in place so that every child can learn in a safe, supportive environment.
Second, we must make smart financial decisions — prioritizing the programs that make Mercer Island exceptional, including academic excellence and thriving arts and sports programs — while maintaining a balanced budget and continuing to strengthen our reserve fund.
Third, we need to better meet students where they are academically by supporting individual growth in both math and literacy. This means investing in high-quality teacher training, evidence-based curriculum, and thoughtful technology use that aligns with healthy screen-time guidelines for each grade level.
What’s your life philosophy and how can you apply that to school district matters?
I believe deeply in the power of community and the importance of listening with respect — even when perspectives differ. Real progress happens when we build trust, find common ground, and work together toward shared goals. I also believe in supporting kids, giving back to the community that raised me, and continuously growing as a person. I approach life with curiosity and optimism — qualities that help me look for creative solutions and maintain perspective even in challenging situations. These values will guide me as a board director committed to thoughtful leadership, collaborative problem-solving, and a steadfast focus on what’s best for Mercer Island students.
