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Moses Lake board approves statement for levy voters' pamphlet; superintendent lays out levy facts
Summary
The Moses Lake School Board voted to approve a statement for inclusion in the levy voters' pamphlet and heard a detailed presentation from Superintendent Carol explaining a proposed four-year levy (proposed rate $150 per $1,000), timing of collections, and the financial risks if the levy fails.
The Moses Lake School District Board of Directors voted to approve a statement to appear in the levy voters' pamphlet and directed staff to submit the levy resolution to the county by Dec. 13.
Superintendent Carol, during a detailed presentation, outlined the district's proposed four-year educational levy, saying the proposed rate is $150 per $1,000 of assessed valuation and that ballots are expected to mail Jan. 24 ahead of the Feb. 11 election. She told the board the district estimates roughly $23.5 million in additional revenue for the district over 2026–29 if the levy passes and that about $6 million in local effort assistance (LEA) would not come to the district if voters do not approve a levy.
"I apologize for the things that have happened in the past that have caused our community to lose trust in our school district," Superintendent Carol said, urging transparency and pointing to a new fact sheet and materials that will be posted on the district website for further detail.
Carol said the district proposes to use levy proceeds to rebuild the legally required fund balance (about 12.5% of the budget), offset inflationary pressures and support student programs across categories including academic support, athletics and activities, specialists, maintenance, secondary course offerings, safety and technology. She emphasized that the district will separate LEA estimates from levy revenue in planning because LEA distributions depend on state action.
Board members asked for more detailed breakdowns and stressed the need for clarity about how levy and LEA dollars will be tracked. Carol noted that even if voters approve the levy in February, the district would not receive a full year of levy collections until May 2026 and that the first year of collections would be partial, affecting the district's near-term cash flow.
The motion to approve the statement for the voters' pamphlet was moved and seconded on the record and carried by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the audio of the meeting.
The board also announced community Q&A sessions and a meeting at the district office for residents to ask questions; staff said they will add more breakdowns to the district website and seek to provide interpreters for upcoming forums.
