Mercer Island School District launches a long-range facilities planning process

The Mercer Island School District has begun discussions on how best to house students and deliver high quality, educational programs while preparing each student for success in the cognitive, global and digital world of the 21st century. Superintendent Gary Plano has recommended a planning process that promotes open communication and exchange of information to identify and address community and district needs. Phase I of this process will address the “mega-block” campuses that are bordered by the following streets:

86th Ave SE, SE 42nd Street, 92nd Ave SE and SE 40th Street

Future phases will identify elementary housing solutions and program options as well as addressing needs at the high school level.

To this end, the district is launching Phase I and has scheduled two Town Hall meetings. The first is to be held on Saturday, April 24 from 9-11:30 a.m. at MIHS Commons and is for neighbors who live in the vicinity of the “mega block.” The meeting will focus on redevelopment of the north mercer campus. Those residents will receive a flyer in the mail inviting them to the April 24 meeting.

According to Dr. Plano, “Part of our agreement with neighbors during the PEAK planning process was to give them an opportunity to provide input concerning master planning processes and redevelopment of various campuses.” At the Town Hall Meetings, representatives from the District will outline the master planning process to be followed, share demographic information and discuss potential development options for the north mercer campus.

The second meeting on May 1 (same time and location) will address the similar issues with the wider, island community. Following these two meetings, the district will invite interested community members to serve on a 21st Century Facility Advisory Committee (FAC). The application for the committee is available here.

Updated April 20, 2010

Mercer Island School District is seeking participants to serve on the 21st Century Facilities Advisory Committee

The Mercer Island School District is seeking approximately 15 individuals with a mix of skills and experience to serve on the 21st Century Facilities Advisory Committee. The purpose of the committee is to provide guidance to the district concerning the development of a master plan for educational facilities in the 21st century.

Last year the district conducted an extensive review of all district buildings. The review found that many of our buildings, while safe and well-maintained, do not meet the district’s current student population, do not allow for future expansion and also do not support the current programmatic needs. One demographic study shows the District is expecting 800 more students by the year 2020.

The District is hosting two Town Hall meetings on April 24 and May 1 in the Commons at Mercer Island High School from 9:00 – 11:30 am. These meetings will share demographic information, discuss potential development options for the north mercer campus and provide an opportunity for residents to give input concerning the various development options.

According to Dr. Gary Plano, Superintendent of MISD, “We are looking for people who interested in providing guidance to the district as it develops a 21st century master facilities plan. The plan will recommend renovations of our present buildings over the next 10 to 20 years. It promises to be a fascinating process.”