Moses Lake School District Board Highlights – March 19, 2026

The Moses Lake School District Board of Directors met for its regular meeting on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at the district board room. The meeting included a presentation from the Washington State Auditor’s Office, district leadership reports, policy discussions, and opportunities for community input.

Washington State Auditor’s Office Presentation

The Board received a formal presentation from the Washington State Auditor’s Office (SAO) regarding the district’s recent accountability audit.

The audit reviewed financial practices from 2022 through 2024 and identified areas for improvement, including financial monitoring, budget compliance, and internal processes. Auditor representatives outlined recommendations aimed at strengthening oversight and ensuring compliance moving forward.

District leadership acknowledged the findings and reaffirmed the district’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and implementing corrective actions.  For reference: Audit Findings Information

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Consent Agenda Approved

The board approved the consent agenda, which included routine items such as personnel actions, accounts payable and payroll, budget status reporting, donations, expenditures exceeding $25,000, and student travel requests.

These items help ensure the district’s daily operations continue running smoothly and transparently.

Policy Review and Approval

The board reviewed several district policies as part of its ongoing governance work:

• Policy 2320 – Student Travel and Outdoor Education
  Action: Approved by the Board

Regular policy review ensures district practices remain aligned with state requirements and responsive to current needs.

Superintendent Report

Superintendent Carol Lewis also shared updates focused on district priorities and culture. Her report emphasized a continued commitment to honesty, accountability, and follow-through—highlighting the district’s focus on “telling the truth, working hard, owning mistakes, and keeping promises.”

She also outlined key priorities for 2026, including:

• Expanding collaboration with the community

• Supporting school board development and training

• Continuing work around safety, well-being, and bullying prevention

In addition, the superintendent highlighted ongoing engagement with staff and students across schools, more specifically a recent visit to Lakeview Terrace Elementary.  She also recognized the important contributions of classified staff members who support daily operations across the district.

Superintendent Lewis presented the timeline associated with selling bonds in anticipation of construction of the District’s newest elementary school which will sit on the site of the current North Elementary School.

Executive Director Reports

District leadership also provided updates aligned to the district’s strategic pillars:

Employee Services – Investing in People
Michelle Musso, executive director of employee services, highlighted the strength and experience of its certificated staff, noting that approximately 500 educators bring more than 8,000 years of combined experience—an average of 16 years per employee.
This depth of experience supports student success through mentorship, curriculum development, and strong learning environments.

Safety & Well-Being – Managing the Whole
Updates included planning for reunification sites in the event of an emergency, emphasizing the importance of clear procedures, strong community partnerships, and communication.

Scott West, executive director of safety and well-being, spoke about the schools conducting spring reunification exercises to better prepare staff and students, with communication to families as part of the process.