Happy 70th Birthday, Mercer Island School District!

The and current and former school board members took time out from a public meeting Thursday night to celebrate the 70th Anniversary honoring its founding on Sept. 1, 1941.

The group of elected officials, past and present, gathered together for photos and reminisced on their favorite experiences as members of the school board over pieces of birthday carrot cake.

MISD Superintendent Dr. Gary Plano pointed out display of a 1998 issue of the tacked on the wall of the board room that compiled a succint timeline of notable moments in the history of the district.

"Everyone had their very best intentions to serve the children and serve the community," Plano said, thanking the school board alumni. "And an education is the key to unlocking a child's success."

Former School Board Director John Davis, 98, remembered when the board received the state's help in paying for construction of the North Mercer Junior High School in the early 60s. Then, as now, the construction of new schools were part of the district's efforts to stay competitive with other nearby school districts.

"We were a needful school district and got the state to pay for it," he said. "We always had the public looking at Bellevue and making sure we paid the same."

Current School Board Director Dave Myerson, who has occasionally criticized decisions made by previous boards, kept the mood light with a wry maxim.

"In the first place, God made idiots. This was for practice. Then He made school boards," Myerson said, quoting Mark Twain.

Those in attendance included former board members John Davis (1955-65), Hal Fardel (1971-79), Susan Blake (1973-83), Rodney Hearne (1986-90), Rand Ginn (2001), Boyd Vander Houwen (1992-96), Susan Kaplan (1992-2003), Laurie Koehler (1992-96), Terry Pottmeyer (1997-2000) and Leslie Ferrell (2003-07).