Prior to leading a study session on the role of School Board members at the regular board meeting Thursday night, president Janet Frohnmayer announced she’ll be vacating her chair before the end of her term, meaning the board will have to appoint a new director before elections in the fall.

Frohnmayer and her husband recently purchased a home in Queen Anne after sending their youngest child off to college, which will cause her to step down before her term ends.

“I just wanted to be very transparent for those of you that are thinking about running that there may be an appointment process, so some of you may want to consider participating in that,” Frohnmayer said.

Roughly ten people showed up for the School Board information study session, which featured a Q&A session with the board afterward. Frohnmayer told those attending that now is “an incredible time to consider board service.”

“I think it is one of the most wonderful ways to serve and be part of the Mercer Island community,” she said. “I’ve been on the board myself for almost eight years and I think it’s been the best thing I’ve ever done in terms of feeling a sense of accomplishment, feeling part of something wonderful and important, and in terms of personal growth. I couldn’t recommend it more.

“The district is healthy, it’s thriving and it’s on a great, great growth trajectory that’s guided by the 2020 vision. We’re doing great and we know where we’re going.”

Prospective candidates will have plenty of projects to look forward to, including overseeing the construction and opening of new schools, working with new programs and initiatives being explored by the district like foreign language in elementary schools and later high school start times, and possibly choosing the next superintendent.

“I know that I won’t be here in 2021-22,” Superintendent Dr. Gary Plano said. “That would be beyond the term of the next two or three members on the board. It is highly likely that in that term, my successor would be selected and frankly, it’s probably the most important job a board does, selecting its superintendent.”

Frohnmayer said working as a highly-functioning administration was thanks in large part to the board’s Policy Governance, adopted in 2005 and adapted as a strategic governance model under Superintendent Plano, which allows the board and superintendent to work in clearly defined roles while evaluating the district and its progress.

“The board only has one employee, so all of the staff are not employees of the board,” Plano said. “I have a contract the board approves and I am their employee, and then all the other employees fall under the responsibility of the superintendent, so the board isn’t going to tell one of the employees how to do their job, or what materials to use, or how to behave.”

Board members said their time commitment varied from 5-10 hours a week to 20-25 hours a week, depending on whether taking up a board leadership position.

The board stressed potential candidates should have interest working at the policy level. But Frohnmayer noted those passionate about changing a school program or other issue that is the responsibility of the superintendent or a principal would not be best served by becoming a board member, due to the nature of how the board operates.

“You have to find the right spot,” Frohnmayer said. “You’re actually better off being in the community, being on a committee somewhere, being in the schools, but not being on the board.”

In accordance with board policy 1110, the remaining School Board members will appoint Frohnmayer’s replacement, following an application process, to serve until the district election. Under policy 1005, vice president Brian Emanuels would assume board president responsibilities for the rest of the current term after Frohnmayer vacates her chair.

In a phone call to the Reporter, Plano said the appointment process timeline would likely be discussed at the March 26 board meeting.