Mercer Island Reporter, February 15, 2012

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REPORTER

Mercer Island www.mi-reporter.com

MI | THIS WEEK

Serving the Mercer Island community since 1947

Vote for schools moves ahead

Reflecting on diversity

Reilly & Maloney at YTN, Feb. 25

Mercer Island School Board says bonds will be sold as needed to build schools

Seattle musical duo Ginny Reilly and David Maloney will perform at Youth Theatre Northwest on Feb. 25. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Through the 1970s and ’80s, Ginny Reilly and David Maloney, singers and songwriters, were popular in Seattle. After a 10-year hiatus, Reilly and Maloney reunited in 2000. Admission is $17, available in advance through Brown Paper Tickets at www.brownpapertickets. com/event/225965 or by calling 1-800-838-3006. YTN is located at 8805 S.E. 40th Street.

By Linda Ball

President’s Day closures Monday is President’s Day, and the following will be closed in observance of the holiday: • Mercer Island city offices • Mercer Island Library • Mercer Island Youth and Family Services (Thrift store remains open) • Some banks will also be closed — check with your local branch. • Schools will be closed on Monday and Tuesday for winter break. • There will be no mail delivery, and the post office will be closed.

of CMIPS (Committee for Mercer Island Public The board of directors for Schools) took offense the Mercer Island School to criticism of the 21st District charged ahead Century Facilities Planning Thursday night by approv- Committee, which laid out ing the resolution to put a the blueprint for the plan to $196 million general obli- rebuild the three elementary gation bond proposition schools and Islander Middle School. She said the combefore Island mittee, which voters on April included 17. architects, By a vote of engineers and 3-1 the resoother profeslution passed; sionals, conboard member sidered 30 to Dave Myerson 35 options. would still Islander prefer to Dave Myerson, Al Tyrrill see a fourth MISD School Board member asked about elementar y students school built first to alleviate the immedi- from off of the Island who ate overcrowding concern. were enrolled in the disBoard member Pat Braman trict before open enrollment was not present. “The issue for me is: the Schools | Page 3 end result is not where I want to be,” Myerson said. The public is still coming out to express their concern over the proposition, or their support. Islander Marty Gale opened the public comment section by calling the plan “a solution looking for a cause, and a ‘slush fund.’” Superintendent Gary Plano reminded Gale and other citizens that even though the community would be authorizing $196 million in bonds, they’d be sold in increments to take on each project as needed. Likewise, citizen Kevin Scheil said he puts a high priority on education, but said he is concerned about huge gaping holes and no The Mercer Island High alternatives. School gymnastics team “We had to know this took fifth at districts. See was coming for some time,” Sports on page 14 for Scheil said. “This needs to details. be very carefully considered. If this isn’t the right solution, it could really set us back.” Carrie George, co-chair lball@mi-reporter.com

“The issue for me is: the end result is not where I want to be.”

Sports playoff updates online As the winter sports season for Mercer Island High School athletes winds down, all the latest playoff results can be found online at www. mi-reporter.com. Follow this weekend to find updates on the 3A state swimming and wrestling tournaments, as well as basketball all weekend long.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 | 75¢

Contributed

Islander artist Kara Glass took first place for her piece “Diversity is United” in the 201112 annual PTSA contest that showcases student art. For more art, see pages 18 and 19.

Decline in Island property values blunts tax increases 2012 levy rate up 5.8 percent as home values decline 4.4 percent By Reporter Staff

The King County Assessor’s office has mailed the 2011 property assessments and levy rates to county residents. Most Islanders will find them in their mailboxes this week. The majority of Mercer

Island homeowners will find that the assessed value of their property has dropped over four percent from a year ago. Taxes to be paid in 2012 are based on the 2011 assessed property value. The average median assessed value for residential properties on the Island fell to $700,000 for 2011, down from $732,000 in 2010. The change represents the second year values have declined more than four percent here. The tax

rate per $1,000 of assessed value increased by 5.8 percent. But Islanders will not see a significant impact to their tax bills. Taxes will only increase 1.2 percent for the 2012 tax year for an average of $76. The 2012 tax levy rate per $1,000 in assessed value is set at $9.07 for 2012, up from $8.57 in 2011. The largest portion, or over 60 percent, of the levy rate is for schools: $2.522 for the

Tax | Page 2


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