MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake School Board met for its regular meeting April 1 and passed five policy updates and discussed one policy update with no action taken. The policies ranged from updating guidelines for non-resident students to removing a sentence from the district’s sexual harassment policy.  

Non-resident students 

The first policy updated was 3141, which updates the guidelines for non-resident students who live outside of district boundaries. The board had read this policy change at the previous meeting, but no action occurred.  

The policy update says that 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.  

Language barriers 

The next policy update was 4218, which aims to eliminate language barriers through a legally compliant, free-of-charge Language Access Program.  

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. 

Bidding process 

Then the board also passed an update to policy 6220, updating the procedures for obtaining goods and services. 

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.  

Social media 

The next policy the board discussed was policy 5228, which they did not vote upon during the meeting. That policy would update guidelines for faculty and staff in regard to social media usage. If the board decides to pass the policy and the guidelines are violated, the person would be subject to disciplinary action.  

Student reps 

Next, the board voted to update the number of student representatives who can serve on the board as non-voting members. The update will allow for up to four students to serve instead of two. 

Line change 

The sexual harassment policy’s wording was simplified to eliminate a reference to “under the law.”