MLSD to hold another community meeting regarding finances
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 6 months AGO
Moses Lake School District Interim Superintendent Carol Lewis explains the school’s finances during the first of four community meetings. The third meeting will be today at 6 p.m. at Vanguard Academy.
NANCE BESTON/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District will discuss district finances in a meeting today at Vanguard Academy, 740 E. Yonezawa Blvd. The meeting starts at 6 p.m.
This will be the third of four meetings in which MLSD Interim Superintendent Carol Lewis breaks down the financial errors that occurred recently, which the Columbia Basin Herald has reported on previously. The four meetings present mostly the same information with slides added to each presentation to address community questions.
In the meetings, Lewis covers how school finances work, the levy failure which also resulted in the district losing local effort assistance, enrollment errors and accrual accounting errors.
The presentation shows how the district's $20 million budget shortfall came about, as well as the solutions that have taken place since the errors were discovered. There are opportunities for the public to ask questions during the meeting. MLSD has a Spanish interpreter for the meetings.
The fourth and final meeting will be at Frontier Middle School, 517 W. Third Ave., at 6 p.m. Oct. 22.
Lewis said she plans on recording the presentation for the MLSD website; however, she pointed out that patrons who are not present will lack the opportunity to participate in conversation and ask questions about the topics presented.
ARTICLES BY NANCE BESTON
‘Show up’
Local leaders say community voices shape schools, cities and trust
WARDEN — When Warden Mayor Rosaelia Martinez looked out over the audience at the April 28 Warden City Council meeting, she didn’t see empty seats. She saw neighbors. “First of all, before we start, I want to say thank you to all those that came to the meeting tonight,” Martinez said. “I know we are all busy people, and I really appreciate your input. Your time is valuable and we appreciate you being here.” That message – that showing up matters – was echoed by city and school leaders across the Columbia Basin, many of whom say public participation directly shapes decision-making, transparency and long‑term planning.
Warden council bans kratom, considers parking regulations
WARDEN — Warden City Council passed a kratom ban and special event permit Tuesday night. It also discussed its comprehensive plan update and an ordinance for parking regulations. Around 17 residents were in attendance, a fairly large showing for a Warden council meeting. “First of all, before we start, I want to say thank you to all those that came to the meeting tonight,” Mayor Rosaelia Martinez said. “I know we are all busy people, and I really appreciate your input because it really validates what a lot of people are hoping to achieve in the city. Thank you. Your time is valuable and we appreciate you being here.”
Columbia Basin Hospital nominates Allred for board
EPHRATA — The Columbia Basin Hospital received one application for a vacant seat on the Board of Commissioners for Public Hospital District No. 3. Dr. Lowell Allred has applied for the role. He was officially nominated for the role at the April 28 board of commissioners meeting. “Public notice of this nomination shall occur between April 29 and May 14, to allow time for registered voters residing in the hospital district to also submit nominees for the vacant position,” said Chief Executive Officer Rosalinda Kibby.