Former Microsoft Manager and MI Little League Founder Emanuels a Unanimous Choice for School Board

After publicly demonstrating tensions in an earlier 2-2 vote, the  closed ranks on Saturday in their unanimous appointment of a new director. 

After less than half-an-hour of deliberation the board agreed, 4-0, to appoint former Microsoft manager Brian Emanuels to fill the school board vacancy. He was chosen from a pool of five candidates who applied for the position, left open after former school board president Lisa Eggers stepped down last month. In selecting Emanuels, each member cited his résumé of volunteerism in the community and his ability to bring something "different" to the board.

"He brings something different to the table and serves as an effective bridge between the different sides of the (school) board," said MISB Director Adair Dingle. "Brian clearly has selfless dedication to the community."

"For the next six months, I think we could use someone who's an expert in some of these areas where, frankly, I wouldn't even pretend to know where to begin." said Director Dave Myerson.

Director Janet Frohnmayer focused in on someone who would back Superintendent Plano and understood how to convince voters to support plans to build new schools.

"It's important to come at this differently from last time," she said. "I want to reiterate how wonderful it would be to have someone who sits on the (21st Century) facilities committee (21CFPC)."

Because it only has one school board representative, it is unlikely Emanuels will be able to continue contributing to the Facilities Committee in an active role — though he may take part as a passive observer, according to 21CFPC facilitator Kris Kelsay. The committee is likely to recommend a property tax-funded bond measure — mooted by officials to be in the range of $100-$170 million — to replace one or more schools in the district. The measure could be placed on the ballot in 2012, and the school board sought to find an appointee who was supportive of the facilities process.

The school board tried to fill the empty seat at a May 4 meeting, but , PTA volunteers Jennifer McLellan and Aleta Finnila. The difference in opinion over the two candidates stemmed in part from alternate understandings of what the primary role of the school board is.

Emanuels, who has lived on Mercer Island since 1999, helped found the Little League baseball organization on the island and served as its president when Mercer Island sent a team to the Little League World Series in 2009. He has also served as a board member for the local , the , led the local high school football booster club, worked to pass the MI Parks Capital and Operations bond in 2008 and serves on several MISD committees.

"It's an honor to be nominated," Emanuels said. "I appreciate the board's willingness to bring me in now, and I'm looking forward to the next six months." He also stated his intentions to place his name on the ballot in November to retain the seat.

The four other candidates under consideration were Finnila and McLellan, former Highline Community College professor Maureen McLaughlin-Crawford and former school board director Leslie Ferrell.

The Director Position 3 seat is subject to election in November and McLellan, a former school teacher and Island Park Elementary PTA President, .

Emanuels will be sworn at the school board's next public meeting on May 26.