With committee members stationed at different display charts around the Islander Middle School library Wednesday, Dec. 10, the Mercer Island School District Boundary Committee unveiled its preliminary recommendation for new elementary boundaries, beginning in the 2016-17 school year with the introduction of a fourth elementary school.

Dozens turned out, though the crowd consisted primarily of Boundary Committee members and advisers.

The proposed recommendation has West Mercer Elementary and the new Elementary #4 dividing the northern portion of the Island, with Island Crest Way dividing the two school zones. Elementary #4 would take over the northeast section of Mercer Island, with its boundary running along the Island’s northeastern edge, cutting in through East Mercer Way and 99th Ave. S.E., and then falling in between Shoreclub Drive and East Mercer Way. It would continue above Hollerbach Park and cut off along S.E. 45th Street to Island Crest Way.

Elementary #4’s zone would also stretch west over the Island’s northern-most point and would include the area north of I-90 and the Park on the Lid, as well as the area north of S.E. 24th Street between West Mercer Way and I-90. West Mercer Elementary would take the northwestern area below S.E. 24th Street, with its southern boundary running along Merrimount Drive.

Students who reside in the middle section of the Island — the area along East Mercer Way and below Hollerbach Park down to S.E. 68th Street — would attend Island Park.

Lakeridge would take up the southern portion of the Island, with its northern boundary cutoff running along S.E. 68th Street and curving at S.E. 70th Street.

Dean Mack, the school district executive who serves as a technical adviser to the committee, said the new boundaries lowered student populations by roughly 150 students at each existing school. Population figures on the boundary display charts listed West Mercer at 505 students, Lakeridge at 481 and Island Park at 457, with 450 students slated to attend the new Elementary #4. Mack said special education programs at Island Park and Elementary #4 required more classroom space and thus reflected lower student population numbers.

Island Park parent David Fick said he was happy with what he saw, though admitted the proposed boundaries didn’t affect his family and his elementary-aged son.

“We were kind of hoping he’d have a chance to finish out where he was,” Fick said. “Assuming the boundaries stay where they are, it shouldn’t affect us.”

While reviews were generally favorable, not all parents were thrilled with the results, particularly because of potential commuting issues for transitioning students.

One parent whose address fell in Island Park’s zone said traveling to West Mercer was an easier trip for her family than to Island Park, even though it was further away, thanks to a straight-shot via West Mercer Way. A Lakeridge parent, whose child would have to change schools with the boundary revision, said a bus trip from their house that had to go around Pioneer Park to Island Park Elementary took 45 minutes under current routes, versus a four-minute trip to Lakeridge.

Todd Kelsay, schools transportation director, said there would be significant changes to bus routes with the new boundaries, eliminating such travel snafus and making for shorter trips. But there will be exceptions.

“When almost one-third of students attend a school outside their zone, you get some creative and long bus routes,” Kelsay said.

Committee facilitator Richard Withycombe said the next step for the committee would be figuring out how to support the families and children affected by the changes.

The committee will review and discuss community feedback and decide whether to revise its preliminary recommendation at its next meeting, which is scheduled to take place at 5 p.m. Jan. 15 in the MISD administrative building’s board room.

Feedback and comments may be sent to Mack at Dean.Mack@mercerislandschools.org.