MOSES LAKE, Wash. – The Moses Lake School District is still grappling with the effects of two failed levies in 2024.
Superintendent Carol Lewis addressed community concerns this week, aiming to inform and update parents as they wait for the recently passed levy from February.
The funds from the levy passed in February are not expected to be available until next spring. Until then, the district is operating on a tight budget. Superintendent Lewis provided details on the district’s fund balance, which is critical for ensuring payroll stability.
Lewis explained that the district’s monthly payroll amounts to about $10 million. This fund also covers bill payments and serves as a rainy day fund for emergencies. The fund balance represents about 12.5% of the general fund, which is the minimum required.
Beyond funding, Lewis discussed how levy promises were developed based on the needs of the community. More than 5,500 people participated in a survey last year, helping the district identify community priorities such as extracurricular activities, paraeducator support and building maintenance.
“We always knew that that levy failure would span two school years,” Lewis said. “Any levy failure always impacts two school years. So we were still very much in a state of recovery from that failure.”
There has also been concern over elementary school schedules, with some parents wanting to add 30 minutes to the school day. Lewis noted that while the district intends to implement this change, budget constraints will prevent it until the next school year.
Community members have the opportunity to provide further feedback on district needs and concerns through this Google Doc.
