Schools Foundation Hands District $1.2 Million Check, Pledges More This Fall

Achieving a goal some jokingly referred to as "Bridge the Gulf," Executive Director Penny Yantis presented the school district with a check June 23 for $1.2 million to offset education cuts handed down from the state last month.

"I'm very proud to say the campaign to keep teachers in the district was successful," said MISD Superintendent Dr. Gary Plano.

"Without that $1.2 million we would not be retaining all of our staff this year. That's an amazing feat. I don't know of any other district that has that kind of support."

The district and the schools foundation estimated around 20 teaching positions were threatened without the additional funds raised by the campaign.

An out-sized check, presented at a School Board meeting, was fitting for the record amount raised for the keep class sizes from rising and prevent teacher layoffs next year. The foundation began working to raise the money at the beginning of the year and worked up until June 10.

"This was the greatest team of Bridge the Gap task force ever assembled," Yantis said. "(They worked hard) trying to find new ways to reach the parent community and the greater Mercer Island community. And the end result of that was a whopping $1.2 million."

The foundation also pledged a goal of raising $429,900 by the end of this fall, culminating in it's.

Mercer Island Patch will report on several other school district developments later today, including a possible 1.9 percent cut in teacher pay — as recommended by the state legislature — and new textbooks for several courses next year.

Stay tuned!