If you'd like to see a question added to this list, please email us at [email protected] For more detailed information on the bond, please visit the Mercer Island School District website.
Tax Rates
1. Did you know that Mercer Island has the lowest tax rate for schools on the Eastside?
Mercer Island taxpayers pay 20-60% less in local school taxes than Bellevue, Issaquah, Lake Washington and Northshore School Districts.
The current rate is $1.44 per thousand of assessed value. With the April 2025 Bond, the rate would be $1.89 per thousand.
Let's compare that to other Eastside districts.
The Issaquah School District rate is $3.14 per thousand, so school taxes would still be 66% higher in Issaquah than on Mercer Island with voter approved of the April 2025 bond.
Let's compare tax rates with the 21 school districts across Washington State with a comparable total assessed property values. Mercer Island's rate is the lowest, 21st on the list. After the bond passes, we'd be 19th out of the 21 districts.
Let's compare tax rates with the 19 school districts in King County. Mercer Island's tax rate is 18th, nearly the lowest with only one other district having a lower rate. After the bond passes, we'd still be 17th out of the 19 districts.
Data below is a little blurry. It's from Piper Sandler.
2. Did you know THAT MERCER ISLAND PAYS 30-54% LESS THAN ALL OTHER EaSTSIDE SCHOOL DISTRICTS?
The local school property tax is a combination of all voter approved school bonds and levies. On Mercer Island, our rate is $1.44 per $1000 of assessed value. For a $2.2M home, that's $3,168 in local schools taxes. The local tax rates for Eastside districts range from $2.12 to $3.14 per $1000.
If you own a home on Mercer Island, you currently pay 30-54% less in local school property taxes than residents who own comparably priced homes in neighboring Eastside School Districts.
3. Did you know that MISD is STABILIZING our school tax rate across levies and bonds?
After the bond passes, the tax rate for schools will be $1.89 per $1000 assessed value. As EP&O levies and CapTech levies expire (these can only be 2-6 years), the voters will be asked to approve replacement levies. Your tax rate is planned to remain stable at $1.89.
This is demonstrated financial responsibility, designed for a stable tax rate and for keeping our schools outstanding for our students.
4. Did you know that the last bond for improving Mercer Island School buildings was in 2014?
In 2014, Mercer Island approved a bond to build Northwood Elementary, build 1/2 of IMS, and add 12 classrooms to MIHS. That bond has been restructured (saving taxpayers $1.5M), and the bond is being paid off in 15-years rather than 20-years. Now it's time to build the other 1/2 of IMS. Our community decided this was the financially responsible thing to do 11-years ago, and this bond finishes IMS and does some improvements to the 70-year old MIHS.
5. Did you know there's a difference between a Capital Bond and a CapTech Levy?
Hang on, it's easy. There are 3 voter approved ways to fund schools: Bonds, CapTech Levy, and EP&O Levy. The combinations of these three support a local school district. Washington State also provides funding, and for MISD that's about 70% of the annual MISD General Fund. OK, here are the 3 ways voters approve school funding, and you'll see the differences between a CapTech Levy and a Bond.
Technology & Facilities Capital Projects Levy (CapTech): These levies can be offered for voter approval every 2-6 years. These levy funds are available on an annual basis to school districts. Funds can be used for capital improvements (boilers, roof, HVAC), but are not large enough to build buildings or do major renovations. CapTech funds can also be used for some school district salaries, such as IT staff and some Maintenance & Operations positions. Please note: Every school district that has a CapTech levy transfers CapTech funds into their General Fund for the approved salaries....otherwise the rules require 2 paychecks, 2 W-2s, and other chaos. MISD does this in accordance with state rules and this passes audit.
Educational Programs and Operations Levy (EP&O): Can be offered for voter approval every 2-4 years. These levy funds are available on an annual basis to school districts. Funds can be used for educational programs (including salaries) and operations (e.g. insurance, utilities bills, transportation).: The McCleary decision caps the amount that a district can raise with EP&O levies.
Capital Bond. Bonds build buildings and do major renovations. There is no other method for funding buildings. No funding for construction comes from the state. Bonds are sold, and then the school district services the debt. All the funds come to the school district when the bonds are sold, much like your ability to buy a house and then pay the mortgage.
6. Did you know that there may be some state funding to support the construction?
Washington State does not pay for school construction or renovation. However, the state provides what is called SCAP (School Construction Assistance Program) funding for schools once they have reached 30-years of age, or 30-years since the last major remodel. The formula is based on enrollment, allowable square feet per enrolled student, and the SCAP dollars per allowable square foot. This total is then factored by the district’s match percentage. For IMS, the district should be eligible for up to $4M in funding. The district will apply for and diligently pursue every dollar available, but there are no guarantees when OSPI will reimburse. The district has committed to front funding the project and using the state funds to pay down the bonds which will reduce the cost for Mercer Island taxpayers.
Why Now? What does a "NO" vote mean?
1. Do you know what a NO vote means?
MIHS is 70-years old, originally built in 1954. IMS, built in 1958, is almost 70-years old. Buildings that are this old must have renovations to preserve their lifespan.
Higher costs. A NO vote means that maintenance and improvements will simply cost more later.
Learning spaces. A NO vote means that students won't have suitable learning spaces to meet their learning needs.
Out of compliance. A NO vote means that known accessibility issues, fire alarms, and HVAC systems remain as is.
Security. A NO vote means IMS remains in three buildings.
2. Did you know that school construction costs are projected to rise at a rate of 8% a year?
The proposed bond will be nearly 20% more expensive in two years. MIHS and IMS were originally built 70-years ago, and the need to update for compliance (ADA, fire alarm), HVAC, Security, etc. isn't going to go away.
3. Did you know that IMS and MIHS are septegenians?
MIHS was built in 1954, over 70-years ago. Classrooms and an auditorium were added in 1961 and 1967. Small additions occurred in 1978 and 1986. In 1997, all buildings were put under one roof. In 2014, robotics music, and classroom spaces were added. All school buildings need to evolve and have improvements, and this bond is part of the regular update cycle. The scope of work has an emphasis on compliance (ADA, fire alarm system), increased security, and flexible spaces that can be used for multiple purposes.
Originally built in 1958, and an honorary septuagenarian, Islander Middle School had a renovation in 2000 and a new addition from 2016. The update in 2000 impacted roughly half of the school. It was designed and built for the upcoming addition that is part of this bond measure.
4. Did you know the school bond addresses security?
By putting all of IMS under one roof, students can more securely move throughout the school. The Crest school is also getting a vestibule for security.
Of course, the district also does security work with other funding sources, but this bond will have the most impact for securing our middle school students and those attending Crest.
Scope of Project
1. Did you know that the community was involved in creating the scope of this school bond?
This bond measure was developed after two years of study, working with a third-party architectural design firm, reducing the scope to be the essential needs, and five forums for public comment.
A group of educators, students, staff, community members, and architects have been working for throughout 2024 to identify needs, prioritize and make trade-offs, and settle on a plan that is fiscally responsible, complies with state requirements, and provides the continuation of the outstanding educational opportunities that are offered on Mercer Island.
2. Did you know that the bond will build the remaining half of Islander Middle School?
19 new classrooms, 8 labs across all disciplines, including STEM, Science, Art, and Robotics for hands-on activities.
A Learning Commons with shared learning spaces for enhanced collaboration and creativity, shared learning resources, developing critical thinking skills, and to develop emerging programs.
Finishes IMS so that the school is under one roof, as originally envisioned and approved by voters in 2014. Provides a more secure environment for all of our students.
3. Did you know that portables are NOT part of the construction plan when the bond is approved?
Based on our construction window and current enrollment, students will not be in portables during the IMS and MIHS construction.
PLUS, construction is designed so students at IMS don't have to experience another round of construction at MIHS.
4. Did you know that an Elementary School study is included in the Bond?
$1.45M has been allocated in the bond to study what to do with the four elementary schools on the island. Given the ~10-year duration between bond requests, that provides time to understand our communities needs for elementary schools.
5. Did you know that all 4 elementary schools have been improved with our existing CapTech levy?
See MISD CapTech Improvements here. 2024 elementary school projects at Island Park, West Mercer, and Lakeridge included carpet replacement, boiler replacement, and classroom door security hardware improvements.
The Capital Projects & Technology Levy (CapTech) passed in 2022, and funds can be used for technology, smaller capital improvements, and salaries for some IT and Maintenance & Operations positions. This levy expires in 2028. This levy raises ~$8M/year. CapTech levies can run for 2-6 years.
CapTech levies cannot be used for construction or major renovations due to the smaller annual size of a CapTech levy. Only Bonds build buildings, and the State of Washington does not provide funding for building schools.
Mercer Island Students
1. Did you know that around 12% of school aged residents on Mercer Island do not attend MISD?
Did you also know that's a completely normal number? For the affluence in our area, it's a low percentage.
MISD has 3900 amazing students enrolled.
Historically, it's a consistent percentage for Mercer Island. There are certainly students who are enrolled in MISD schools that receive private tutoring or instruction.
Ian Henry, MISD Communications Coordinator, would appreciate hearing directly from families who've chosen to send their children to private schools. You can schedule time with Ian by contacting him at [email protected]
2. Did you know that school enrollments are down across nearly all school districts?
ALL of our peer school districts have declining enrollment. Primary reasons for the declines everywhere are birth rate, moving, and private schools. We thought that the kindergarten class would be smaller this year because of declining birth rates, but to the district's surprise, we had more kinder enrollment than anticipated! We don’t have control over how many babies are born each year, but we do have control over our value proposition as a school district and safe, updated buildings are part of that.
3. Did you KNow that academic achievement in Mercer Island Schools is Higher than pre-covid (2019-2020)?
- Grades 3-5 Math and English Language Arts (ELA) indicators are almost all higher than 2019-20.
- All grades, Math and ELA are mostly higher than surrounding districts (Bellevue, Issaquah, Lake Washington, Bainbridge Island, Snoqualmie Valley and Tahoma).
- AP Participation and scores (3 or higher) are all trending higher and most are higher than pre-COVID.
- SAT and ACT test scores are all higher than 2019-20.
- On-time graduation rates are at their highest level in 5 years (97.2%).