To say that the Mercer Island School District got “tagged” over its decision to adopt a “hands off” approach to recess play at elementary schools is an understatement.

The decision, which meant that children couldn’t play ‘tag,’ prompted a social media campaign to overturn the move and got national attention.

Superintendent Dr. Gary Plano acknowledged that the district made the wrong call, but Plano is right that opponents first should have approached the district about their concerns.

There’s nothing inherently wrong with play and games that involve children touching each other. The issue, of course, is when the touching gets too rough.

Teachers are wise enough to see when this happens and step in to instruct children about correct behavior. After all, isn’t this what schools do?

A Park-and-Ride gain but tasks remain

A plan by Sound Transit to reserve some parking at busy transit lots should be good news to Island residents.The Mercer Island Park and Ride facility is one of those places and a sore issue to residents trying — and often failing — to find a place to park.

The plan, which could be place by fall of 2016, will offer reserved parking permits to those who frequently carpool to the lots. The permits could be available to solo drivers by late 2016 or early 2017.

That’s not the only issue of concern to Island residents. Vision Mercer Island has listed many, including permanent access to I-90 HOV/HOT lanes for all Mercer Island traffic to or from Seattle and I-405, permanent exemption from tolls and congestion pricing on I-90 and sufficient Mercer Island dedicated parking capacity at the Park and Ride lot.

What’s needed now, according to the group’s executive director, Lori Otto Punke, is for the City Council “to negotiate fiercely and find win-win solutions.”

Those on, or running for the City Council, need to prepare themselves for the tough task that lies ahead.

— Craig Groshart, Interim Editor