Moses Lake School District Announces Additional Workforce Reductions in Ongoing Effort to Achieve Balanced Budget 

In its ongoing efforts to achieve a balanced budget, the Moses Lake School District has taken the difficult step of notifying 55 additional classified employees that they are being laid off in a reduction of force (RIF). Classified employees play a critical role in supporting the daily operations and educational environment of our schools, including technology specialists, custodians, maintenance staff, paraeducators, and secretaries. This recent notification brings the total reduction in force to 268 employees across all employee groups of Moses Lake School District.

The district faces a significant challenge to balance the annual budget. With more than 80% of the district’s budget allocated to employee compensation, substantial staffing reductions have been necessary. Classified employees who have been laid off may be recalled in the future, depending on the district’s evolving financial situation. 

Since the end of May, the following staffing reductions have been made:

• District Office: 12.5 positions, resulting in savings of $1,134,383. More positions will likely be reduced through attrition in the coming months.
• Building Administrators: 4.5 positions, resulting in savings of $730,307.
• MLEA (Moses Lake Education Association): Initially 119 positions, 11 non-renewal notices for special education teachers and school counselors have been recently rescinded, reducing the total to 108 positions and a savings of $10,812,662. 
• PSE (Public School Employees): 143 positions, resulting in savings of $7,121,307.

Despite these reductions, the district still needs to balance the budget by an additional $3.6 million. The final budget is due to the Moses Lake School Board for approval in August. Should the district fail to create a balanced budget by this deadline, it will automatically enter binding conditions with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), resulting in less local control—an outcome the district is determined to avoid.

Interim Superintendent Carol Lewis expressed the difficulty of making these decisions, emphasizing the value and dedication of the classified staff. "Our classified employees are integral to the functioning of our schools, and this decision was not made lightly. We deeply regret the necessity of these reductions and are fully aware of the hardship they impose on our dedicated staff and their families.”

The Moses Lake School District remains focused on its mission to provide high-quality education to all students while ensuring long-term fiscal stability.