Due to Washington state not fully funding education, along with rising costs for materials, supplies, salaries, benefits and other operating costs, the Mercer Island School District faces a $3 million shortfall for the 2025-2026 year, according to Superintendent Fred Rundle’s letter to the school community posted on March 12.

“Difficult decisions must be made this spring,” he wrote.

“Last week, we began notifying staff who will be impacted by the contemplated reductions for next year, and additional conversations and decisions will take place in the coming weeks,” he added.

Some of the changes by area will include (see the letter for a full rundown):

* Reducing the district’s elementary schools nursing staff from four full-timers to one full-timer while retaining full-time nurses at Mercer Island Island High (MIHS) and Islander Middle School (IMS). The three elementary schools without an on-site nurse will be supported with a health room paraeducator with nurses serving in a consultancy role.

* In the library services realm, the current model of having certificated teacher-librarians at MIHS and the four elementary schools will now follow the IMS model and transition to classified library support instead of certificated teacher-librarians. The district will retain one certificated librarian to oversee library programs and support school teams.

* Reducing the number of instructional coaching positions at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

* The district anticipates some changes to non-certificated classified positions to enhance efficiency while continuing to support students, staff and schools.

* Currently, IMS operates with 3.5 administrative positions, as Aaron Miller has served as both co-principal and part-time human resources director. Next year, Miller will transition to full-time human resources director, replacing retiring human resources director Rosie Burns. IMS will return to a three-administrator model instead of 3.5.

On the fees front, Rundle said that, “To avoid even more drastic staff cuts or eliminating programs, we will need to raise student fees for many programs and services. The goal will not be to use fees to entirely cover all of our programs, instead we need to help offset the diminishing role of the EP&O Levy. A student has not and will not miss out on opportunities because of finances, so budget considerations will be made to make sure we can provide scholarships.”

Regarding legislative relief, Rundle said: “We will continue to relentlessly advocate for our students and schools, pushing for increased funding to close the gaps in special education and materials/supplies/operating costs.”

Rundle concluded the letter by noting that the budget challenges ahead will be addressed with transparency, dignity and a focus on the district’s students.

To view the full letter, visit: https://tinyurl.com/2j3yb2xk