Connected to Our Community: MLSD Builds Partnerships Beyond the Classroom

A strong school district and a strong community go hand in hand.

That is why Moses Lake School District leaders, including Superintendent Carol Lewis, continue to participate in community organizations and conversations that reach beyond the walls of our schools.

One of those connections is with the Grant County Economic Development Council, an organization focused on supporting sustainable economic growth that benefits everyone in the community. Workforce development is one of the EDC's key value areas. Connecting business and education to better align training and skills with the needs of employers is of importance to the growing economy.

For MLSD, being part of those conversations matters. Our students are the future workforce, business owners, community leaders, parents and neighbors of Moses Lake and the surrounding region. Understanding where our community is headed helps the district better understand the opportunities students will encounter after graduation and the skills they will need to be successful.

But the connection works both ways. When businesses consider growing or locating in a community, they aren't looking only at available land, infrastructure or transportation. They are also bringing employees and families who need schools, healthcare, housing and other services. The EDC's work reflects that broader approach to economic development, including business recruitment and expansion, talent attraction, infrastructure and community outreach.

Schools are an important part of that picture.  The Moses Lake School District serves almost 8,000 students across the community. 

Staying connected with organizations such as the Grant County EDC gives district leaders an opportunity to listen to employers and community partners, share what is happening in our schools and identify areas where education and community needs intersect.

Those relationships can also create opportunities for students. Partnerships between schools, businesses, higher education and community organizations can help students better understand local careers, connect classroom learning to the world around them and see pathways available to them after graduation.

That connection between education and economic development is already part of the regional conversation. The EDC has identified workforce development as a priority and has brought education leaders together with business and community stakeholders to discuss the future of Grant County.

For Superintendent Lewis, participating in organizations like the EDC is one piece of keeping MLSD connected to the community it serves.

Public schools don't operate separately from their communities. The success of our students affects the future workforce. The strength of our schools matters to families deciding whether to make Moses Lake home. And the growth and health of our community create opportunities for the students sitting in our classrooms today.

When schools, businesses and community organizations stay connected, we gain a better understanding of one another's needs and can work together toward something we all share: a strong future for Moses Lake and Grant County.