MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School District School Board did first reads on three proposed policies at the April 18 board meeting. No decisions were made on any policy updates.  

Policy 3141: Out-of-district students 

Policy 3141 of the Moses Lake School District governs the admission of nonresident students in accordance with Washington State law, Chapter 28A.225 RCW. These are students who live in homes outside the district's boundaries. Nonresident students may apply for enrollment between June 1 and Aug. 15 annually, with provisions for home-based instruction also included. Applications are evaluated based on established criteria, including the district's financial capacity, available educational programs, and the student's disciplinary history. The district does not impose transfer fees or tuition for eligible nonresidents.  

Additionally, children of full-time employees are granted enrollment rights, with specific guidelines clarifying potential rejection based on behavioral history or compliance issues. If an application is denied, the superintendent provides written notification, including grounds for denial and the right to appeal the decision to the school board and subsequently to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, as specified in RCW 28A.225.230.  

Policy 4218: Language access 

The Board of Directors said they are committed to enhancing meaningful communication and access for students and families, particularly for those with limited English proficiency.  

Recognizing the linguistic diversity within the community, the Board aims to eliminate language barriers through a legally compliant, free-of-charge Language Access Program. This program will promote accessibility and equity, ensuring two-way communication is integral to all services and activities. 

Key components of the program include systematic identification of families needing language support, provision of competent oral interpretation and translation of vital documents for LEP families, where applicable.  

The District will designate a Language Access Liaison to oversee compliance with language access laws and facilitate staff training on effective communication with LEP families. 

Policy 6220: Procurements 

This policy delineates the requirements and procedures for procuring goods and services, emphasizing the importance of maximizing district resources, adhering to sound business practices and complying with state and federal regulations.  

The procurement of furniture, supplies, and equipment varies based on estimated costs: purchases below $40,000 require no competitive bidding, while those between $40,000 and $75,000 follow an informal competitive process, and amounts exceeding $75,000 necessitate a formal bidding process.  

For improvements or repairs under $75,000, the district may proceed without bidding; for projects over $100,000, formal bidding is required. Additionally, the policy encourages participation from minority and women-owned businesses in the bidding process and provides exemptions in cases of emergencies or single-source supplies.  

Finally, the district may engage in cooperative purchasing agreements and must maintain thorough documentation to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, which will be reviewed by applicable authorities. Comprehensive procedures will be instituted by the superintendent or designee to support these policies.