MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake interim superintendent, Carol Lewis, released a statement Aug. 23 for the celebration of back to school.  

The statement begins by saying that the financial situation the MLSD is in is not the fault of students, staff, school administrators or the community and measures are being taken to regain financial traction, according to Lewis. 

“Many district-level systems failed, and the terrible fallout of that failure necessitates a reduction in Moses Lake School District’s educational programs,” Lewis said in the statement. “We have known this since May, but the reality is hitting home for many right now.” 

Lewis said that the district will begin to rebuild its system and commitment to providing the best possible education for MLSD students. She also said she wants to emphasize the importance of community, resilience and collaboration.  

“On the first days of school, some things may look different, but our caring staff will still welcome the hopeful faces of Moses Lake’s young people onto our buses and into our schools, and everyone will be reminded that the students are the reason we exist as a public school system,” Lewis said in the statement.  

The release also mentioned that there will be increased law enforcement presence during the first few weeks of school, including Moses Lake Police Department, Washington State Patrol and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. The statement says that this is a routine measure that happens yearly to help manage new traffic patterns as students return to school. 

The statement also says that safety in the schools is a top priority, therefore no reductions happened with security staff or School Resource Officers. The district has three SRO officers currently and plans on adding a fourth once hiring and training are completed. 

After the school day ended, Lewis sent a notice out to teachers thanking them for their efforts on the first day of school. 

“Thank you for welcoming our kids so warmly,” she said. 

While Lewis said there were concerns about some elementary teachers having large class sizes, especially at the kindergarten level, the district will work to address the issue and see if staffing adjustments are required to ease the issue.  

    Interim MLSD Superintendent Carol Lewis, pictured, released a statement addressing concerns around the financial situation and welcoming students back to Moses Lake School District Wednesday. Lewis expressed appreciation for faculty and staff giving students a warm welcome back.
  

    Students at Frontier middle school load onto buses after their first day back at school on Aug. 28.
  

    Frontier middle school students receive help from teachers and staff to find the correct bus on their first day back at school on Aug. 28.
  

    Pioneer Elementary School students ran around outside for a first day of school activity Wednesday.