School board news: Board member conduct and policy reviews
Published 4:00 pm Monday, September 15, 2025
On Sept. 11, the Mercer Island School Board convened for a study session and board meeting, addressing critical issues including board member conduct, policy development and student achievements. The meeting began with the swearing-in of Brody Newcomer as the official student representative to the board.
Study session: Navigating confidentiality and board conduct
The board held a study session dedicated to clarifying the board’s code of conduct, especially as it relates to confidentiality and communication protocols. Concerns had been raised about alleged defamatory statements and breaches of confidentiality by board members, specifically related to sexual misconduct by an Mercer Island High School teacher in 2015-2016.
Legal counsel Charles Leitch, joining remotely, provided expertise on the legal landscape governing board confidentiality, defamation and executive privilege. Leitch said that elected school board members are not considered employees under the Silence No More Act, a Washington state law designed to protect employees from retaliation when reporting sexual misconduct. According to Leitch, this distinction means that some employee-specific protections and non-disclosure provisions do not directly apply to board members.
The board engaged in a contentious discussion about the scope of confidentiality, particularly relating to information shared in executive sessions as determined by state law (RCW 42.30.110). Leitch clarified that executive sessions are intended to protect sensitive matters, such as legal settlements or personnel issues. Leitch said: “If the discussion was solely in the context of an executive session and you’re going ahead and not all in agreement of where the line is on confidentiality and someone goes out and broadcasts those facts, then that would be violating essentially the protections … of executive session.”
School board member Dan Glowitz disagreed, stating: “We are public institutions. The idea that we can transform things into private by having an executive session … that is what’s wrong.”
Board President Maggie Tai Tucker affirmed that Glowitz is entitled to his viewpoint and may not feel an obligation to keep information shared in executive session to himself. But she expressed concern.
“The overarching problem that this leaves us with is a lack of trust,” Tucker said. “If something like that situation happened right now, I would not feel comfortable calling an executive session for the whole board to be equally informed.”
Formation of a committee
During the meeting that followed, board members proposed forming a committee to review district policies, procedures and training related to appropriate conduct, reporting mechanisms, and communication with students and families.
This committee is expected to include diverse stakeholders such as legal experts, school administrators, students, parents and representatives from community organizations like the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center and the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). Topics anticipated for review include student safety, community notification protocols following allegations of abuse, boundaries for staff-student communication channels, and ensuring that discipline and reporting procedures are trauma-informed and legally compliant.
Policy updates: Student discipline
The board also reviewed legislative-driven revisions to Board Policy 3241 on student discipline. These updates align district policies with recent state laws. Assistant Superintendent Erin Battersby detailed changes designed to enhance clarity, remove redundant language, and better structure the policy to mirror state standards and WSSDA (Washington State School Directors’ Association) guidance. Battersby explained that the district anticipates having a disciplinary matrix that shows the outcomes of conduct, to create more transparency and visibility for families.
Superintendent update
Superintendent Fred Rundle reviewed enrollment trends, revealing slight declines in kindergarten numbers. The district is carefully monitoring these shifts to maintain fiscal responsibility.
Student achievements
Following the policy discussions, the board celebrated the vibrant life of Mercer Island students. Student representatives to the board, Lucy Dorer and Brody Newcomber, shared updates highlighting the repainting and new murals at elementary schools, cheer clinic events, PTA Reflections art contest, and events that welcomed students into the new school year.
Superintendent Rundle recognized the outstanding student achievements:
• The MIHS girls tennis team secured their third consecutive 3A state championship.
• The MIHS boys tennis team members won the 3A singles and the 3A doubles championships.
• The MIHS boys soccer team won the 3A state championship.
• The MIHS girls track and field team won 3A state championship, the KingCo 3A title, and the Sea-King District 3A Championship.
Additional announcements
Participants also reflected on recent national and local events, emphasizing the importance of respectful dialogue and the dangers of political violence and intimidation. School board member Deborah Lurie recognized the role of the PTA in supporting schools and fostering community connections. Student representative to the board Newcomer shared plans for the Homecoming Parade, which will be held at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26.
