MI Schools Foundation nears its $1 million goal
The Mercer Island Schools Foundation (MISF) has raised $950,000 to support Mercer Island public schools through the Bridge 2015 campaign and hopes to reach $1,000,000 by June 30.
“More than 55 percent of the Mercer Island School District (MISD) parent community contributed to Bridge 2015,” said MISF Executive Director Penny Yantis. “These funds are critical to supporting our educational model that is focused on personalization and supplying the necessary coaching, supervision, and professional training, as well as having enough quality teachers to maintain lower class sizes than is funded by the state.”
Public funds received by the MISD do not cover the cost of providing the education expected on Mercer Island. The state’s portion of providing public-revenue per-student ranks MISD 282nd in Washington state’s 295 school districts. The Washington State Legislature still has not reached an agreement on a biennial budget that will appropriately address public education funding. A partial government shutdown will occur if an agreement is not reached by the end of the month.
Yantis will present a check to the MISD Board of Directors at their regular meeting on June 25 at 5:00 p.m. Donations for the Bridge 2015 campaign can be made online through June 30 on the MISF website.
New school to be named June 25
The Mercer IslandSchool Board will select the new name for Elementary No. 4 at its board retreat June 25.
The suggested names include Mercer Crest Elementary, Mercerwood Elementary and Northwood Elementary.
Gibbs is new principal at Lakeridge
The Mercer Island School District appointed Jenny Gibbs as the new principal of Lakeridge Elementary, effective July 1. Gibbs was presented to the School Board for confirmation in April. Gibbs completed her administrative internship at West Mercer Elementary in 2013. Gibbs most recently was the assistant principal at Hazelwood Elementary School in the Renton School District. She replaces Andy Labadie, who is stepping down to spend more time with family.
