MLSD hosting community forum to introduce finalists for leadership role
NANCE BESTON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 months, 2 weeks AGO
The Moses Lake School District will be hosting a meet the candidates forum giving the public the opportunity to ask questions of applicants for the executive director of safety and wellbeing. The forum will be held at 4 p.m. at the MLSD Boardroom at 940 E. Yonezawa Blvd.
NANCE BESTON/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School District is inviting families, staff and community members to actively participate in a forum to introduce finalists for the executive director of safety and wellbeing tonight, as the district seeks to enhance its educational and safety framework.
The forum will start at 4 p.m. April 30 at the MLSD Boardroom located at 940 E Yonezawa Blvd The meeting will be livestreamed on the school district website but those who would like to ask questions need to attend the meeting in person.
District officials introduced the candidates for the executive director of teaching and learning Tuesday afternoon.
The decision to create these positions is prompted by recent retirements and resignations within the district, including those of Executive Director of Elementary Education Roberta Mason, Executive Director of Secondary Education Triscia Hochstatter, as well as the resignation of Finance Director Mitch Thompson, which has opened avenues for restructuring leadership roles.
“This allows us to realign our leadership with the strategic goals of our district," said Ryan Shannon, MLSD’s Director of Public Relations. “We want to ensure that our leadership structure reflects our commitment to instructional excellence and student safety.”
The forum will allow community members to engage directly with the candidates. The finalists will participate in 20-minute sessions, starting with a brief introduction followed by a question-and-answer segment, where attendees can submit their inquiries via a QR code posted at the venue.
“We want community involvement,” Shannon said. “It is imperative for us to remain transparent and allow community members an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.”
Attendees will also be invited to complete a feedback survey, which will be instrumental in the final hiring process. This approach not only lends the community a voice in shaping district leadership, Shannon said, but also emphasizes MLSD's commitment to fostering an engaged and collaborative environment.
“Your input will help inform the district’s final hiring decisions,” said Shannon.
The job of Executive Director of Safety and Wellbeing is integral to ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations and implementing best practices that prioritize student safety.
“This person will support student success not only through physical safety but also in navigating the complexities of student management and counseling services,” Shannon said.
The hiring committee, comprising administrators and district leadership, will review feedback from the community as part of the hiring process
“This is a huge opportunity for community engagement that we hope will translate into selecting the best candidates,” said Shannon.
Community involvement in educational leadership decisions has been a rising priority for the Moses Lake School District, according to Shannon.
“We are inviting families, staff members, and interested community members. Anyone who has an interest in the district and the success of our students should attend,” said Shannon. “We think it’s just a huge opportunity to work in conjunction with the community in determining leadership for our district.”
Meet the Candidates
MLSD Boardroom
940 E. Yonezawa Blvd.
Executive Director of Safety and Wellbeing
April 30 at 4 p.m.
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