The Mercer Island School District has experienced declining enrollment last year and this year, which has impacted their overall level of school funding.  As a result, the School District is looking for ways to cut costs and they are exploring cuts to staffing levels. 

We appreciate that the School District has difficult decisions and competing demands to balance. However, as community members who support the Mercer Island Band program we believe that cutting staffing for the Mercer Island Band program this school year would be detrimental to this important student resource and to the program’s success.  

The Mercer Island Band program, which has consistently served students in grades 5 through 12 for more than three decades, offers an exceptional experience for its students.  In particular, the Mercer Island Band program: 

Fosters Social and Emotional Well-being

• Social-Emotional Learning – The program is intentionally designed to create an environment with a strong sense of belonging, where every student feels welcomed and valued. 
• Supportive Adults – The team teaching approach ensures continuity of adult relationships from instructors who are actively engaged with students as they progress from elementary to middle to high school. 
• Community Building– Purposeful integration across grades promotes peer mentorship, community building, and support, including during transitions between grades and schools. 

Promotes Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

• Inclusive Program - This no-cut, non-competitive program welcomes diversity and is open to every Mercer Island student who wants to participate, regardless of their identity, socioeconomic background, or music training. 
• Different Learners – The program welcomes all types of learners within the same classroom and performance environment, where diverse students work together towards common goals.
• Options for Every Student – Every student can advance at their own pace, with options for before and after school programs and advanced competition for those who want it.

Offers First Rate Instruction and Unparalleled Performance Opportunities

•  Integrated Curriculum - This rigorous, integrated grade 5-12 music program gives students the skills and confidence they need each year to successfully move onto the next level. 
• Outstanding Instruction  – The team teaching model and instrument specialization approach from our highly qualified band directors are widely regarded as best practice and are at the core of what has made this a nationally recognized band program. 
• Incredible Performances - This program has a long history of incredible performance opportunities, including 4 Tournament of Roses parades, 5 Seahawks half-time shows, and multiple international travel experiences. 

Provides Students with Unique Opportunities for Growth and Leadership 

• Student Growth - Students in this program are taught the core values of respect, gratitude, teamwork, and personal responsibility to help them grow as both musicians and people. 
• Leadership Opportunities – The program is structured to provide students with leadership skills and increasing levels of responsibility throughout the program, giving students the skills they need for long term success.
• College and Career Readiness - As one of few activities in the district that provides students with a grade 5-12 sequential learning experience, the band program plays an important role in helping students demonstrate consistency, creativity and leadership to post secondary institutions.  

We request that the Mercer Island School District support the Mercer Island Band program by maintaining current staffing levels so they can continue to deliver the highest quality program for all students.