Bonds are strictly for building new facilities or significant renovations of existing buildings.  Bond money cannot be used for anything else.  Currently, it takes a 60% supermajority to approve a bond.  Typically, bonds are paid off by a community over the course of 15-20 years.

Levies are for enrichment to educational programming and can be used by districts to enhance student experiences and supplement the cost of supplies and operating costs. 

According to statute, “A successful system of public education must permit some variation among school districts outside the basic education provided by the state to respond to and reflect the unique desires of local communities.  The opportunity for local communities to invest in enriched education programs promotes support for local public schools.”

1. Insufficient State and Federal Funding

• The funding formulas used by the state often don’t fully cover the costs of operating schools, particularly in growing communities like Moses Lake.
• Federal funding is typically earmarked for specific programs, such as special education or free/reduced lunch, leaving gaps in general operating expenses.

2. Meeting Local Needs

• A levy allows Moses Lake schools to prioritize funding for initiatives that benefit our students, such as academic support, safety, security, athletics and extracurricular activities, to name a few.

3. Building Maintenance and Upgrades

• Moses Lake school buildings require ongoing maintenance, repairs, and improvements to ensure safe and effective learning environments.
• A levy can provide funding for maintenance and custodial care and critical safety enhancements.

4. Supporting Staff and Students

• Salaries and benefits for teachers and paraeducators represent a significant portion of the district’s budget. Rising costs often outpace available funding.
• Levy funds can help retain high-quality educators and prevent program cuts that directly impact student success.

5. Rising Costs and Inflation

• Like households and businesses, the Moses Lake School District faces increasing costs for utilities, supplies, and transportation.
• A levy ensures that the district can continue to operate effectively and provide the resources students need to thrive.

6. Community Expectations

• Moses Lake families expect schools to offer programs that prepare students for future success, including advanced placement (AP) classes, STEM opportunities, and extracurricular options.
• Levy funding makes it possible to sustain and expand these valuable programs for our students.

Yes, the state of Washington puts a lid on the amount the District may propose.  That maximum is capped at $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed value.  Moses Lake is seeking a $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value in its proposed levy.

If the levy passes, students will see additions to paraeducators and teaching staff to address academic gaps, full support of athletics and activities by the 2026-2027 school year, increased elementary specialist offerings such as PE and music, increased maintenance and custodial care, increased availability of classroom supplies, restoration of secondary specialty courses, availability of school resource officers, security and health staff, and an increased availability of instructional technology.

If voters fail to approve the proposed levy, students will see a reduction of at least $5,000,000 from the district’s currently reduced budget levels.

Yes. Residents who live within the Moses Lake School District boundary and are a registered voter, are permitted to vote on levy.  You do not need to be a property owner to vote.

Laws changed in 2019 that limited the total possible levy rate to $2.50 per $1000 assessed value.  Since 2019, Moses Lake voters have approved a levy at an estimated rate of $1.50 per $1000 assessed value.  The actual collection depends on fluctuations in property values and can NEVER exceed the total dollar amount approved by voters.  As property values go up, levy rates almost always go down.  Below are the actual rates collected in Moses Lake since 2014:

• 2014- $4.16/$1000
• 2015- $4.77/$1000
• 2016- $4.42/$1000
• 2017- $4.54/$1000
• 2018- $4.62//41000
• ***LAW CHANGE***
• 2019- $1.50/$1000
• 2020- $1.54/$1000
• 2021- $1/54/$1000
• 2022- $1.22/$1000
• 2023- $1.31/$1000
• 2024- $1.17/$1000
• 2025- $0
• 2026-2029- If the levy is approved and property values rise beyond more quickly than expected, Moses Lake residents will likely pay less than the $1.50 approved rate.

Mose Lakes 2026-2029 proposal is below the state average ($1.82/$1000) for approved rates, and even further below the average for other school districts with 4A high schools ($1.93/$1000).

• MLSD balances its accounts against the county treasurer’s statement every month; budget status reports and the county treasurer’s reports can be found on the FINANCE PAGE of our website.
• Two school board members review all accounts payable transactions twice per month; accounts payable reports are posted on the FINANCE PAGE of the district website.
• The district is now enforcing POLICY 6210 requiring Board approval for single purchases over $25,000.
• Staff who obligate the district to expenditures without following PROCEDURE 6210 will be held personally liable for expenses
• Checks and balances are being used throughout accounting processes to guard against errors
• Budgeting for the 2024-25 school year was done in consideration of actual revenue coming into the school district rather than by carrying over past amounts; this will be the practice going forward.
• A Financial Oversight Committee made up of interested community members has been formed and will meet monthly beginning January 29, 2025.

Moses Lake School District will begin the practice of putting out quarterly financial reports to show the community where their money is being spent.  Additionally, extensive financial documents are posted to the FINANCE PAGE of our website.

Carol Lewis was named superintendent on November 7, 2024.  She immediately began strategizing about how to move the relationship between the district and community forward.  The apology statement was one of the first significant actions she took as permanent superintendent.

Yes.  The district office cut, in both positions and pay, about 25% of expenditures.  The superintendent is doing the job for the same overall compensation she received as assistant superintendent, and is operating without the help of an assistant superintendent or administrative assistant.  Details about cuts taken at the district office can be found here: DISTRICT OFFICE CUTS

While significant accounting errors were made by people who no longer work for Moses Lake School District, no criminal activity has been discovered.  The errors were costly, but were not criminal.  

While unpopular, the decision of the previous School Board to alter the use of bond dollars was not illegal.  It’s important to note that all of the Board members who were part of that decision are no longer on the Board.