REPORTER
Mercer Island
State budget fight ends
Mustang Sally
Holocaust Remembrance Day is Sunday, April 22
The Mercer Island Schools Foundation is holding its 30th annual ‘Breakfast of Champions’ at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, April 24, at Mercer Island High School. The event is to raise money for the foundation’s ‘Bridge the Gap’ campaign in order to hire more teachers and provide more resources for education in light of the state’s budget cuts to schools. For information, to become a table captain or sponsor, go to www.mercerislandschoolsfoundation.com or call 275-2550.
Election results online Election results for Tuesday’s special election, featuring the Mercer Island School District bond, will be posted online on Tuesday evening at www.mireporter.com. The results, available after Reporter deadline, will be updated throughout the week.
By Reporter Staff
Rebecca Mar/Staff Photo
MIHS freshman Anne Versnel sits in the new Defensive Driving School car, a hot-looking 2012 Ford Mustang. Instructor Albert Cvitic teaches at the Mercer Island branch of the school. See more on page 4.
Computers, iPhones disappear at school Some students learn about theft the hard way By Megan Managan
mmanagan@mi-reporter.com
It probably happens more than people realize — an item seemingly misplaced was actually taken, spirited away without anyone realizing. It is not a new problem for any high school, but one that continues to happen and can be prevented. Parents and students at Mercer Island High School have often reported items going missing — whether stolen or misplaced. While the school’s resource officer, Detective Chad Schumacher, said the number of incidents are about the same as in years past, there have been some larger, more expensive, items taken. Early in March, a student’s laptop was stolen from a backpack in the boys locker room when he stepped away for a couple of minutes. While the school has security cameras to prevent thefts, it still
happens — especially in places where cameras can’t be, like locker rooms. “Having gone through this, I’m surprised how much I hear now from people that this happens,” said Karen Beck, whose son, Carson, was the owner of the stolen laptop. “More so from in the girls locker room, but this was in the boys locker room.” The laptop was eventually turned in, after weeks of searching, combing Craigslist and keeping eyes and ears open. For the Becks, it was an eyeopening experience. Carson’s computer was used to take notes and for other various school projects. “We’re supposed to teach them about how to be good people, and most kids are absolutely fine,” Beck said. “A lot of people have said, ‘Well, don’t you have insur-
ance?’ But the whole ‘just-go-getanother-one’ idea is disturbing to me.” Schumacher said he does everything he can to help prevent the situation from even happening. “I’m always telling kids, don’t leave stuff out,” said the detective. “All of this technology that enhances learning are great tools, but at the same time don’t leave them out because it just creates a situation you don’t want. I tell them to lock it in a locker.” For some students it may take an item being stolen before they think twice about where they leave items. “Even during pep assemblies when everyone is in the gym, they pile stuff in the commons, so there is always a group of teachers Karen Beck, out there, and I usuMIHS mom ally sit in the commons and watch it,” said Schumacher. The best way to avoid being the victim of theft is keeping items close or locked away, but if it does happen, people can download an app or use a service which helps track stolen items. Any chance
“Having gone through this, I’m surprised how much I hear now from people that this happens.”
Thefts | Page 2
The Washington state Legislature finally passed a state budget on April 11, taking negotiations into the eleventh hour to get the job done. The budget deal passed the Senate with a 44-2 vote, and moved through the House on a 64-34 vote. With the threat of a third special session looming for state lawmakers, Gov. Christine Gregoire said she was pleased that the elusive common ground on the budget was found. “I’m pleased the Legislature reached an agreement this morning (April 11) to solve our budget shortfall. The supplemental budget passed preserves critical programs, including education, and sets our state on a more sustainable path,” she said. Steve Litzow, R-Mercer Island, said the education package was an accomplishment.
Budget | Page 2
REPORTER
Schools Foundation Breakfast of Champions set for April 24
Legislators pass budget April 11, praise newfound bipartisanship
Mercer Island
The Washington State Holocaust Education Center will hold its annual Holocaust Remembrance Day program on Sunday, April 22. This community-wide interfaith event will begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday at the Stroum Jewish Community Center on Mercer Island, where family members can lay stones near the memorial and then recite the Hebrew prayer for the dead. The event then continues across the street at Herzl-Ner Tamid Congregation for the keynote speaker, journalist and author Fern Schumer Chapman, and a recognition of the winners of the student writing and art contest. For more information, go to www.wsherc.org.
One year $39, two years just $59
MI | THIS WEEK
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 | 75¢
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