MISD School Board Priorities & Senator Wellman's Town Hall Status

I want to share two critical updates regarding our efforts and outline immediate steps we can take together.

MISD School Board Decision on 2026 Legislative Priorities
We formally requested that the Mercer Island School District (MISD) Board of Directors make addressing HB 2266 a formal legislative priority for the upcoming session. As a reminder, HB 2266 mandates that cities allow Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) and transitional housing across all residential zones, while removing local control over siting separations from schools, emergency planning, and safety protocols.

Unfortunately, at their September 10, 2026 regular board meeting, the Board chose not to include HB 2266 or student safety protections in their 2026 legislative platform. Instead, all five of the Board's 2026 legislative priorities focus strictly on state funding and budget allocations.

While state funding gaps are an important operational concern for the district, our state legislators need to hear a unified voice from our school board, city council, and community that low-barrier housing facilities without safety guardrails or district consultation do not belong adjacent to schools and parks.

Status of Senator Wellman's Promised Town Hall & Corrective Legislation
In August 2026, Senator Lisa Wellman's office committed to collaborating with our community on corrective legislation for HB 2266. Specifically, her legislative assistant confirmed that her office would:

• Host a Town Hall / Listening Session: Plan an in-person public community listening session for 41st District residents (targeted for mid-October 2026 at the Mercer Island Community Center).
• Draft Corrective Legislation: Work with Senate staff to draft a bill addressing key safety concerns, including local control over siting near schools and pre-approval notice before the 2027 session.

However, despite multiple follow-up inquiries sent to her office regarding the schedule and drafting progress, we have not received any response or update since her assistant's last email in mid-August. With October quickly approaching, it is vital that Senator Wellman honors these commitments and gives residents a clear date and platform to participate.

Take Action: How You Can Help Right Now
We need our community to speak up and ensure our elected leaders fulfill their obligations to public safety and community engagement.

Action Item 1: Contact Senator Lisa Wellman's Office
Reach out to Senator Wellman to hold her accountable to her commitments. Mention that you are eagerly looking forward to the promised mid-October town hall meeting on HB 2266 and PSH, ask for the exact date, time, and location for the community listening session, and request to review the details and status of the promised draft corrective legislation.

Sample Email

To: lisa.wellman@leg.wa.gov
Subject: Follow-up on Promised HB 2266 Town Hall & Corrective Legislation

Dear Senator Wellman,

As a 41st District resident, I am writing to ask for an update regarding the promised mid-October town hall on HB 2266 and Permanent Supportive Housing. Could you please confirm the exact date, time, and location for this community listening session?

Additionally, I would appreciate an update on the status of the draft corrective legislation to ensure local safety guardrails near schools are restored.

Thank you for your leadership and commitment to our community.

Action Item 2: Contact the MISD School Board
Reach out to our school board members to express disappointment that student safety regarding HB 2266 was omitted from the 2026 legislative priorities, and ask the Board to actively advocate for state legislation that restores notice, consultation, and safety protections for facilities built near schools and along student walking routes.

Sample Email

To: board@mercerislandschools.org
Subject: Student Safety Protections & HB 2266 Legislative Advocacy

Dear MISD School Board Members,

I am writing to express my concern regarding the omission of HB 2266 and student safety protections from the district's 2026 legislative priorities. While state funding is vital, preserving local control and safety guardrails around facilities near our schools is equally critical. I urge you to actively advocate with our state lawmakers to support corrective legislation that ensures proper notice, municipal oversight, and student safety protections.

Action Item 3: Contact Local PTA Leadership
Urge our PTA leaders to prioritize student safety by adopting advocacy positions on HB 2266. Ask PTA leadership to partner with parents and state representatives to ensure safety guardrails and municipal notice are included in future legislative discussions.

Sample Email 

To: Advocacy@MIPTACouncil.org
Subject: Student Safety & HB 2266 Advocacy Focus

Dear MI PTA Council Leadership,

I am writing as a concerned parent and community member to ask the PTA Council to prioritize student safety regarding HB 2266 in your advocacy efforts. While supporting district funding is crucial, preserving safety guardrails, municipal notice, and school proximity limits for supportive housing is essential for our students. Please join parents in calling on our state legislators to support corrective legislation.

Why Immediate Action Matters
Mercer Island’s new strategic plan incorporates 178 Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) units, and once a local PSH development is announced, public intervention will no longer be possible. Under HB 2266, local pre-decision public hearings, municipal safety guardrails, and mandatory advance notifications to adjacent schools and childcare centers have been fully eliminated.

Developments across neighboring Eastside communities demonstrate how quickly these sites are established. A 101-unit conversion in Kirkland opened directly adjacent to school property in July 2026, while Redmond’s 100-unit facility is slated to open in 2027, a mere two years after initial land-use authorization.

We must secure statutory revisions to HB 2266 before a PSH project on Mercer Island gets started. Protecting our children while supporting housing needs are complementary objectives that must be addressed together.