The mental health of our children is being challenged and this is a trend that we are seeing not just locally, but nationwide. It is essential that programs remain in place (and are expanded upon) that help support our children who are facing difficulties and strengthen those children’s social emotional connections who are thriving. This essential support is done through having a top-notch teaching staff, ensuring that in-school mental health counselors remain fully funded, and that programs & clubs like sports, music, the arts, band, theater continue to create a place of belonging for all of our children. If the social emotional needs of our kids are not met, then the academics are nearly impossible to deliver successfully. We must focus on the whole student and ensure an inclusive & belonging learning environment for all MI kids!
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL WELLBEING
TODD’S PRIORITIES
Increase opportunities which foster a sense of purpose and belonging in our schools
Fully fund our school counselors
Support and expand programs and clubs such as music, theater, art, drama, sports.
Many families move to Mercer Island because of the outstanding academic reputation of our schools. Our community must always prioritize academics and curriculum at the forefront. As such, MISD must allocate the needed resources to ensure our schools remain some of the best in the state and continue to provide a challenging and stimulating learning environment that meets ALL children where they are in math, science & reading. The MISD’s mission is to prepare our children to thrive in the world, and this preparation begins with a strong academic curriculum, programs, and training for teachers so they can instruct the best curriculum in the ways that are most effective.
ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES
TODD’S PRIORITIES
Increase training & support for teachers in inclusive learning practices
Better identification of and support for students needing HiCap and special services
Identify and expand life skill services
Prioritize teacher instructional time and academic rigor
Our district’s finances are strained with underfunded reserves and a downgraded bond rating. Many of the school board meetings over the past several years have been solely directed at shoring up the financial instability of this district. We must find efficiencies within our expenditures that do not result in the loss of beloved programming and begin working towards a stable and growing balance sheet. This type of critical analysis and decision making are essential to the health and success of our schools, and, if this part of the school board management is not done correctly, none of the other important components can be fulfilled. If our financial stability is not restored, our children & our teachers will suffer. My professional career has been centered around managing budgets of the similar size and scope to the MI School District, and I am confident that we can find ways to achieve financial sustainability to benefit the long term strength of our district.
FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY
TODD’S PRIORITIES
Rebuild our General Fund – District policy is to maintain reserves of at least 8% with a target of 10%
Address declining enrollment
Determine why families are choosing other options – more than 1,100 students have withdrawn since 2019
Stabilize enrollment by attracting students back to the district and retaining existing enrollment
TODD’S PRIORITIES
DECLINING ENROLLMENT
The district has experienced a substantial decline in student enrollment over the past several years (well over 500 students have left MISD). This decline results in less revenue into our operating budget. In order to solve a problem, we must first understand what is at the heart of the problem. As a district, we need to fully characterize the reasons for these students leaving the district. We can then construct an analysis of alternatives on how to stop the enrollment decline, recruit families back into the district and determine the best course of action.