[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6228167,"mediaKeyId","3477320-1158a0f4eaae8069248bf48c7d7afb32","parentId",3477320,"title","Public commenter urges board to address anti-Semitism after local incidents","audioSeconds",153,"startMs",3265000,"endMs",3418000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3477320-1158a0f4eaae8069248bf48c7d7afb32&start=3265&end=3418","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3477320-1158a0f4eaae8069248bf48c7d7afb32/thumbnail_3265000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6228167/Washington/Public-commenter-urges-board-to-address-anti-Semitism-after-local-incidents","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228167-4459847f52af70e261cf4d4d0737ab3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770451072&Signature=PZ-mFNznaUrEeH2uSVAiqq8oyp2lRC8GBWRPnnjbSuiF1ben7~ur5FMSk3rvPBbTE57ZFOh7iILv3y-c2Z1xtNlqRV4lx5z9ZpZgu1VtsUUpB6q0JMlLohUUq5DPsRgmRuBVaLk9zRefV8eUQqXJjjsv6xiIPXMfI2KE9mfHrxa7nXJYy5R9kIXHssjnIO5nm~KWfD-a04fqkO7RMgSfTbAKvPYcsAOk8On8sKPXpbZKKwUTN2e8UBQLh6p6hCfqEfaUK0aLZ6y9w-0RLrsFIn6KtXx8oE0Gpyd3TY4IwD2e5bZvovSJkgEqDSPFj4Ih1yxiGs2CEPHkGh0fdgZyBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mercer Island School District, WA","date","2025-05-24T00:24:01.683Z","article","A community speaker addressed the board during the public-comment period, urging district leaders to respond to recent anti-Semitic incidents and to consider a student petition asking the district to bar a particular guest from graduation events. The speaker described multiple incidents — including recent vandalism and alleged inflammatory posts — and said student leaders had organized a petition in response.

The speaker said the board had not publicly addressed the issue to the speaker’s satisfaction and asked directors to “stand up” and take action to protect Jewish students and others from harassment. Board members did not respond during public comment; the superintendent noted that public comment can prompt administrative responses or direction and that the board may later direct the superintendent to follow up.

The district’s public-comment instructions displayed during the meeting remind attendees that public comment is an opportunity for input and not a dialogue with board members, and that comments must not identify individual students without parental permission. The board requested no immediate action in the meeting record; staff may follow up with the superintendent’s office depending on the content of the comment and any subsequent direction from the board.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","MISD Board Regular Meeting 2025 05 22","oneSentenceSummary","A community member urged the board to take action after recent anti-Semitic incidents and to heed student petition efforts asking the district to exclude a speaker alleged to have called for violence on social media; the board did not take immediate action during public comment.","taxTitle","Mercer Island School District, School Districts, Washington","taxId",57180,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6228172,"Board adopts resolution authorizing limited staffing reductions and reserves authority as revenues are finalized",300,11640000,11940000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3477320-1158a0f4eaae8069248bf48c7d7afb32&start=11640&end=11940","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3477320-1158a0f4eaae8069248bf48c7d7afb32/thumbnail_11640000.jpg","/articles/6228172/Washington/Board-adopts-resolution-authorizing-limited-staffing-reductions-and-reserves-authority-as-revenues-are-finalized","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228172-1193175c788004fd88886ab6cd9e1930/orig.mp4?Expires=1770451072&Signature=YVMjryOVjF1qYdu9zmM9O4dPHBm3wmGzODq4T64Vy9pwNpVLZSrQLjz6RmmqyT1bZ7MzQjZLsOT9XSmpVsmRBBLV15x~s6xkpQC64O0lIje5LOUfMN8u0xsodmjD56mJTFYX7ATy3WKKI6LJ8Y4ER9bj9Bt3BpG2IcvaL-BVbumWwqhSnO3n7vu8GELp~Rw830jPfY-8OJdQdc~gReqqt7e-pdAsvUaqg9iUUGhqNqno4TRghWrXWlu3-0ccSdBVWTT4i7dhvK2xTN4i55Bsa~PI1Re1QONEB5OMG0QuHrdd5dJO71yh~OzoKl6eE1XEksnJpDj7H~P9odusYGfJuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mercer Island School District board approved a resolution authorizing limited program reductions to align staffing with projected revenues. District leaders said the authorized reductions are smaller than originally proposed after a series of discussions with unions, nurses and administrators and because natural attrition reduced the need for larger cuts.

During the meeting district staff described the most significant change as a reduction that equated to about 0.73 full-time equivalent (FTE) in nursing coverage compared with an earlier, larger proposal. Staff explained that the revised plan would preserve nurse coverage at all schools while adding health-room assistant hours in some locations; administrators said the district expects to avoid the full amount of authorized reductions depending on final enrollments and needs.

The board moved to adopt “Resolution 740: Reduced Education Program” and a motion was seconded. The board approved the resolution by voice vote; the superintendent said the authority is being requested primarily to ensure procedural compliance as the district finalizes the fiscal year end. Administrators noted the district still expects to close the year with a positive fund balance and that revenues from spring tax collections and federal reimbursements remain subject to timing.

Administrators said the district would continue to staff to student needs and that any hiring or reductions would be responsive to individualized student health and service requirements. The superintendent and human-resources staff said they would notify the board of follow-up staffing decisions and return with any contract impacts.

Board members thanked staff and union representatives for their engagement and asked the administration to continue working with employees and the Mercer Island Education Association to minimize service disruptions.

(Transcript excerpt: meeting discussion identified a motion to adopt Resolution 740; the motion was seconded and adopted by voice vote.)","The board adopted a resolution permitting modest staffing adjustments tied to the district’s reduced-education planning; administrators said expected reductions were smaller than initially proposed after stakeholder discussions and attrition.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6228177,"Board introduces new student representative Brody Newcomer",222,218000,440000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3477320-1158a0f4eaae8069248bf48c7d7afb32&start=218&end=440","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3477320-1158a0f4eaae8069248bf48c7d7afb32/thumbnail_218000.jpg","/articles/6228177/Washington/Board-introduces-new-student-representative-Brody-Newcomer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228177-f1df05b96b556c8d0e3e7153816fc3f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770451072&Signature=jNUW5v0O7OkAApfC9BbkpNSV7q4npWDg5cOyWkW93ckJQsiYcHKMtz~SqtCisd4Nup-cR3K8v0xn5Ck55U3e0lk9IkrNlhHqKWZHMrA1tnvprz11mKgZxp22yh8qkQqr9C7xv4oQ4r6gfPNZg1vtLFpn4an8gQke~wODwB0mPDDGDKJvoFAWZ0yuUd6~BgyX~bjyowuUX4o3-csudowSEAsTEolHGsmCdq~LQKdytf84PDgtcNxAyogPMJ9WXs~OxoE7zGuj1pjpgNQFWPghpdtUgjEJVf2YN6oDS-EQAAnXA36Y13zf0D2i1evygGfsLWvMpGBQ0C5nXry4imDu5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mercer Island School District board introduced Brody Newcomer as the district’s incoming student board representative. District staff and current student representatives described Newcomer as an enthusiastic candidate who impressed during interviews and demonstrated awareness of the time commitment.

Board members and the student body praised Newcomer’s energy and leadership. Newcomer told the board he watched previous meetings to prepare for the role and said he was “ready to step up” and learn. Administrators said the new student rep will be sworn in at the board’s first meeting in September, and that another student will join by Zoom from out of town.","The board welcomed Brody Newcomer as its next student board representative; several current student reps and board members praised his interview and commitment to the role.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6228182,"District expands college-and-career hub, CCR pathways and college-prep services",1740,6180000,7920000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3477320-1158a0f4eaae8069248bf48c7d7afb32&start=6180&end=7920","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3477320-1158a0f4eaae8069248bf48c7d7afb32/thumbnail_6180000.jpg","/articles/6228182/Washington/District-expands-college-and-career-hub-CCR-pathways-and-college-prep-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228182-f432e0450059f119faba45833f745708/orig.mp4?Expires=1770451072&Signature=EKGrNv1MTS4mG1iPUxxgaGre-K6cT~18YX9tJhJhlmpuq~fQJLUKfJLFVwXksjRdozdPtTX1bjQJJZvzhKfeI5x2jZ~Dh-IHM3PEJrkUviAf5kLADR3qe8Fw5W8YzeKcHbHZglE5BcPWQuCKuK2h9ZqquET-XdqPovwyWgZFpMzU4ry5ZzemCPS3M16CDdwyszlqGRtDIt~nbleprm~0Nh33oLPonGj2RfcVxwmPzFbfK7Xlvj~5KIP0N2mAdkg7gEsgrWgUXKUCAuEeyx3WfTLiwonRXWHKfU0y5omzdysT3fL6ixoK~33dbYglcPnvn49JaLSZFw7IMMR2~-~mQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mercer Island School District staff told the board they have significantly expanded College and Career Readiness (CCR) course offerings, support services and outreach to connect students with postsecondary and career options.

Jen McClellan gave a high-level overview of the CCR program and said CCR now offers 66 courses with 31 teachers across the district, spanning all six CTE/CCR pathways. McClellan and other presenters said students can pursue sequential courses up to advanced levels, and that many CCR classes are articulated for college credit through partner colleges (Bellevue College and others). Staff said the district offers roughly 85 college credits that students can earn through course articulation if they meet grade requirements.

Christy Kenyon described the College & Career Center at the high school — a staffed resource with appointment and drop-in support, a “lunch-and-learn” series, college-visit calendars, and a growing web portal that includes scholarship lists, internship and job boards, and other resources. Kenyon said the center will add student interns next year to help with marketing, database work and the website.

Presenters described outreach and experiential learning: the district’s “career adventure” van visited about a dozen employer and training sites this year, and CCR teachers and teams took students to industry sites, Seattle Central College, the Allen Institute, and regional skills fairs. Staff emphasized the real-world, hands-on nature of many classes and said those experiences build practical skills and confidence.

Board members and student representatives praised the breadth of offerings and said the work increases equitable access to career and college pathways, reduces need for private counselors, and lets students “fail safely” in applied settings. Students described better marketing and information channels — short videos, course “sizzle reels” and in-school outreach — as helpful to bring new students into courses they might otherwise not find.

The presentation included testing and admissions supports. Staff summarized AP testing volume (the district administered far more AP exams than a decade ago and reported high pass rates), college-application workshops, and a student survey showing interest in school-hosted SAT administrations. Staff noted that the College Board’s Saturday administration model does not guarantee local seats for the district, leading staff to recommend consideration of school-day administrations, regional partnerships or other operational options. The district also offers PSAT, ASVAB, state assessments and AP exams and provides counseling and after-school application support.

Board members asked for a clearer, parent-facing roadmap (what to do in each grade) and for more promotion of college credit possibilities. Staff said they will publish and promote a grade-by-grade checklist in the new SchoolLinks system and continue work on the College & Career web portal.","Officials described a growing College & Career Center, expanded CCR course offerings, dual/college credit availability, internships and a new ‘career adventure’ outreach van; counselors also summarized testing and college-application supports for students and families.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6228187,"Mercer Island schools outline AI values, classroom controls and staff training",1149,847000,1996000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3477320-1158a0f4eaae8069248bf48c7d7afb32&start=847&end=1996","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3477320-1158a0f4eaae8069248bf48c7d7afb32/thumbnail_847000.jpg","/articles/6228187/Washington/Mercer-Island-schools-outline-AI-values-classroom-controls-and-staff-training","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6228187-f21bc68bf39e64c80d0a8f799f530126/orig.mp4?Expires=1770451072&Signature=V85BkZIE5sGXcrdKH11yCiJt9g8f9~CG55EZM8RcJqt47xesqN73I3CN5oY4hi7AVHDeDBMtMZ~qtcSzhluTQh9dj8YpVwNjVYKz7~TvP4i1REKmNVqu4Wox3~HI3dD6fMSOmp6VzBsWtRsMH5DqJrZtZzzsGYM~J~6-YL11TzSP1PJvaZU4yfyUM3y0-f0ctdquHrPA2zBtbQPeDi4FAhHqvNY4Ry-xebt0az7e2ApRPv3EIX8LgJnD7ZaecknzgBDmMBxRfugV8RKupFyEQbwQq2xot3wB5ojcBmO1pjQy1COZv9SESWc54ksNcj6c6MXLIYfadNPLICpb9GQk2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mercer Island School District staff on Tuesday presented a framework for classroom use of artificial intelligence that centers on five stated values — transparency, safety and accountability, professional development, inclusive and equitable settings, and academic integrity. The presentation reviewed tools already in teacher use, safeguards the district plans to require, and how teachers are training students to use AI as a learning aid rather than a shortcut.

The district's technology lead told the board the work began about two years ago and has included guidance from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), staff, students and families. The presentation noted that some AI tools have age or privacy restrictions and that the district is focusing on tools that can be used across grade levels while protecting student data.

Administrators said the district has updated existing technology and harassment policies rather than writing a separate AI policy, following OSPI advice. Staff told the board they have added examples of inappropriate AI use to the district Responsible Use Policy and to student handbooks, and have begun sending separate notices to families at the start of the year explaining privacy rights, translation and opt-out options.

Staff described classroom controls used in a platform called Magic School (also mentioned as Magic Student), where students can access AI only through teacher-created “rooms” and unique room codes. Teachers can see every student prompt and the AI responses inside that room, a capability staff said gives teachers real-time oversight and a way to judge if students are using AI thoughtfully or copying content. District analytics presented by staff showed roughly 448 unique staff users of Magic School, more than 16,000 AI generations attributed to staff use, and nearly 9,000 student sessions across the year; staff said the tool’s top student uses were practice quizzes, writing feedback and research summarization.

The presentation also covered professional development: the district runs an annual Instructional Tech Day with about 50 workshops led largely by teachers; it operates technology learning cycles where coaches work shoulder-to-shoulder with each teacher on implementing tools; and it distributes brief “tech tip” messages throughout the year. Staff said they have additional supports for classified employees, including two half days of in-person training.

District staff acknowledged ethical and technical concerns raised in the discussion, including the environmental impact of large-scale model generation; potential bias in model outputs; copyright and authorship questions for text and images generated by AI; student privacy under federal rules; the limits of AI-detection tools for plagiarism; and the need to avoid overreliance by students. Staff said some of these topics are already being taught in project-based classes (for example, a Crest project that examined AI ethics and environmental impacts) and that the district has updated its citation guidance to require students to cite AI use when it is incorporated into work.

Board members and student representatives asked for follow-up demonstrations and study sessions. Several board members said they want the district to track federal and state initiatives and grant opportunities, and to study whether some AI uses could qualify as “high-impact tutoring” or support math interventions. Administrators said the district will continue to evaluate tools against FERPA and CIPA requirements and will push more communication and demonstrations to the board and community.

The presentation materials, administrators said, include links to federal guidance and the district’s AI values and classroom examples on the district website.","District staff presented a multi-pronged plan for classroom use of artificial intelligence tools emphasizing transparency, student privacy, staff training and academic integrity, and described a pilot-level rollout using a platform called Magic School.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public commenter urges board to address anti-Semitism after local incidents

Board adopts resolution authorizing limited staffing reductions and reserves authority as revenues are finalized

Board introduces new student representative Brody Newcomer

District expands college-and-career hub, CCR pathways and college-prep services

Mercer Island schools outline AI values, classroom controls and staff training