School Board Deadlocks on Appointment Choice

Mercer Island School Board of Directors reopened applications for a vacant seat on the board Tuesday after current school board directors deadlocked on their choices for appointing a replacement.

At a special board meeting at the administration building, the Board of Directors interviewed two applicants — local PTA volunteers Aleta Finnila and Jennifer McLellan — for the Director Position 3 seat. Following the interviews, the board took a single roll-call vote and then remained deadlocked by a vote of 2‐2 on the selection. Directors Dave Myerson and Adair Dingle supported Finnala and directors Janet Frohnmayer and Pat Braman supported McLellan.

The process to replace former School Board President Lisa Eggers began April 4 . The board has 90 days to appoint a replacement, at which time the regional Puget Sound Education Service District will decide who will sit on the board.

Acting MISB President Pat Braman announced the board would request more candidates for the position by extending the deadline for applications until May 13, and will hold a special board meeting May 21 to interview any new candidates and make a second attempt to appoint a new member to the elected body.

The school board Position 3 seat is up for re-election in this November's General Election.