Julian Bradley: Falling Scores, Rising Costs, no action
Since 2018, under Julian Bradley’s leadership in the Mercer Island PTA, the district has experienced measurable declines in academic performance and public confidence. Academic rankings fell from #1 to #5 statewide, with Mercer Island now ranking last in math proficiency and second to last in graduation rate among the state’s top districts. During the same period, resident student enrollment declined by 19.5%, from 4,587 to 3,695—yet Bradley described the trend as “flat” during a May 2025 School Board meeting.
Bradley also stated at that meeting that his top legislative priority is to lower the school bond approval threshold from 60% to 55%, saying:
“PTAs would like to see more of... one of the things was the lowering of the um limit on the bond to from 60% to 55%.”
Rather than advocating for increased state funding, restoring core curriculum, addressing special education or safety gaps, or analyzing the enrollment exodus, his focus has been on changing election laws following the failure of a $241 million bond. This has raised serious concerns among families about whether Bradley is interested in meaningful solutions—or simply moving goalposts to force through unpopular initiatives.
⚠️ No Track Record of Solutions
Despite holding several PTA leadership and president roles since 2018, Julian Bradley has never publicly pushed for specific policies or measures that would address:
The steep drop in student achievement
Community supported plan to improve Mercer Island financial stability
Rising personnel costs with minimal classroom investment
Outdated and insufficient STEM, special education, or college readiness programs
The loss of 34% of students to private or homeschool options
The need for safe, modern, and inclusive school facilities
Growing mental health and behavioral support needs
The 91% of surveyed parents who say they no longer trust district leadership
In a time of deep concern and clear performance data, his lack of advocacy or action on these core issues demonstrates a troubling disconnect—and raises serious doubts about whether he understands what’s needed to serve Mercer Island’s students.
📉 Leadership, Enrollment, and Academic Decline
Since 2018, Julian Bradley has held leadership roles within the Mercer Island PTA during a period marked by significant changes in district performance. Resident enrollment declined by 19.5%, from 4,587 to 3,695 students—the largest drop in King County and over five times the county average. Despite this, staffing levels and spending remained steady, and the district later expanded open enrollment to offset the decline. No public analysis was issued to evaluate the causes of the enrollment loss.
In a May 2025 School Board meeting, Bradley described enrollment as “flat” and cited inflation as the main cause of the district’s financial pressure, despite the district exceeding its budget by 9.3% during the enrollment decline. At the same time, academic rankings fell from #1 to #5 statewide, and the district now ranks last in math proficiency among top Washington districts. These trends have contributed to ongoing concerns about leadership effectiveness and the need for renewed focus on student outcomes and community trust.
🚫 Shifts in PTA Culture and Community Engagement
During Julian Bradley’s tenure as PTA President, PTA volunteer participation has declined, and contributions reportedly dropped by 33%, according to publicly available financial records. These changes have led to broader discussions about how leadership culture can influence parent engagement and community trust.
Since that time, several community members reported concerns about the organization’s internal culture. Parents who expressed differing viewpoints have shared that they were not selected for board roles, had difficulty participating in discussions, or felt discouraged from speaking publicly.
Many families continue to express the importance of fostering a more inclusive, collaborative environment that welcomes diverse perspectives.
🧮 School Spending Increased, but Classroom Investment Did Not
Between 2019 and the projected 2025–26 school year, Mercer Island School District spending increased from $65.7 million to $80.6 million—a rise of approximately $15 million. During the same period, most of the new spending went to salaries and benefits, which increased by more than $12 million.
Spending on curriculum, technology, and instructional materials rose from $11.17 million in 2019 to $13.50 million in 2026. However, after adjusting for inflation, this reflects a 3.5% decrease in real terms. While overall per-student spending rose, investment in direct classroom improvements has not kept pace. Student achievement indicators—such as math proficiency and graduation rates—declined over this period.
🏚 Facilities Plan and Bond Measure Response
In 2025, the Mercer Island School District proposed a $241 million bond focused largely on Islander Middle School—despite its recent reconstruction. The district's own Long-Range Facilities Planning Committee ranked this bond as the least educationally valuable option and voted overwhelmingly against it. Yet district and PTA leadership moved forward, ignoring community input.
At the same time, the district had already transferred over $13 million from capital reserves—meant for HVAC, safety, and modernization—into the general fund, including a projected $3.66 million in 2025–26. The bond asked taxpayers to pay again for HVAC and facility repairs already covered by levies—double-charging Mercer Island families.
The bond failed with just 56.6% support, short of the 60% supermajority. Following its defeat, Julian Bradley stated at the May 15, 2025 School Board meeting:
“PTAs would like to see more of... one of the things was the lowering of the um limit on the bond to from 60% to 55%.”
Instead of working with diverse views and bringing the community together, leadership chose to change the rules and ignore the will of the voters—raising serious concerns about accountability and respect for public input.
🛑 Community Questions Regarding Affiliations and Educational Values
Julian Bradley currently serves as the paid administrator of the Bellevue Christian Science Church, a denomination with a well-documented opposition to modern medical science. He also attended Principia University, a private Christian Science college that banned LGBTQ+ students until 2014 and does not currently support LGBTQ+ student organizations. Bradley now serves as Head of Alumni Relations for that institution.
These affiliations have prompted public discussion about whether his personal and professional background aligns with the values typically associated with public education in Mercer Island—such as inclusion, evidence-based policy, and separation of religion and public instruction.
⚠️ Safety, Privacy, and Oversight Concerns
During the 2024–25 school year, the Washington State Attorney General’s Office initiated an investigation into the Mercer Island PTA for allegedly publishing student information for profit in violation of privacy standards. This came amid broader concerns from families related to bullying, inadequate supervision, and administrative response to safety issues. According to parent feedback documented in multiple reports, families expressed frustration with what they perceived as limited action or follow-through on these concerns.
🧾 Decline in Donations and Parent Engagement
Since 2018, donations to the Mercer Island School District declined by 21%, while fundraising overhead costs rose by 23%, according to public nonprofit filings. In the 2024–25 school year, parent volunteerism fell by 40%, leading to the cancellation of several community events. In a survey cited in the State of MISD 2025 report, 91% of parents said they did not trust district leadership and decision-making.
🏫 Staffing Levels vs. Class Size
Mercer Island has the lowest student-to-staff ratio in King County, at approximately 1.31 students per staff member. Despite this, average class sizes remain consistent with or larger than neighboring districts:
Elementary (K–3): 17 students
Elementary (4–5): 27 students
Middle School: 26 students
High School: 28–32 students
Comparatively, Seattle Public Schools averages 16:1 and Issaquah 19:1 student-to-staff ratios. The data indicates that Mercer Island’s staffing is concentrated more heavily in non-instructional roles.
🧨 Trends in Academic Performance and Leadership Direction
From 2018 to 2025, Mercer Island School District dropped from #1 to #5 in state rankings, with further declines in math proficiency and college readiness. During this period, resident enrollment declined by 19.5%, while public feedback highlighted increased division and concerns about leadership responsiveness. Many community members have cited the importance of realigning district priorities to focus more directly on student outcomes, transparent governance, and inclusive decision-making.
The path forward requires more than intentions—it requires accountability, collaboration, and a track record of action. As Mercer Island schools face academic declines, financial strain, and declining public confidence, we need leadership that brings people together and delivers meaningful change. History is often a predictor of the future, and past performance matters. Over the years, Julian Bradley has not advanced policies or solutions to address the core challenges facing our district. Without a shift in direction, families have reason to expect more of the same. It's time for new leadership committed to transparency, results, and restoring excellence in our schools.