Moses Lake school board endorses upcoming levy after public comment urging support

Corinne Jensen, presiding at the Dec. 19 Moses Lake School Directors Board meeting, asked the board to publicly endorse the district's upcoming levy and read a statement saying the measure is "crucial" to maintaining programs and staffing.

Board members discussed the legal distinction between authorizing the district to run a levy and the separate, political decision to endorse it publicly. Paul Hill moved that the board publicly endorse the levy; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote with members recorded in favor and none opposed.

During public comment, John Smith urged the community to support the levy, saying prior management decisions had harmed programs and that current board and administration efforts at transparency and accountability merited community backing. "Please, everyone, support the levy," Smith said, adding that a failed levy would force cuts and lost opportunities for students.

Board members framed the endorsement as a signal to voters and a step toward securing both local levy revenue and accompanying local effort assistance from the state. Amy Breitenstein and other members emphasized the high stakes, noting the district's tight budget position and the role of levy funds in ensuring services remain available.

The board passed the endorsement and moved on to the superintendent's report; members said they will continue community outreach about how levy proceeds would be spent and the superintendent said she will share a more detailed spending plan at an upcoming report and with community groups.