MOSES LAKE — Tensions are escalating between the Moses Lake School District and the Moses Lake Education Association as contract negotiations remain unresolved, leading to the possibility of a work stoppage by teachers and other staff. MLEA recently voted to authorize a strike should a labor agreement not be reached by Nov. 28.

The district has stated its commitment to keeping students at the center of its decisions as it navigates this challenging situation.

In a press release, MLSD outlined its priorities, emphasizing the need for a "fair and financially responsible labor agreement" with MLEA, maintaining long-term financial stability, and responsibly managing taxpayer dollars.

However, both parties appear to be at an impasse. MLEA represents approximately 439 educators in the district and has expressed deep frustration over what it perceives as the district’s inaction regarding educational investment. During a recent general membership meeting, 90% of MLEA members present authorized the Executive Board to call for a strike if negotiations do not progress by the specified deadline.

“Our students are losing ground,” said MLEA President Heather Whittall. She added that “for the second year in a row, teachers have lost prep time and our students are receiving less instructional time,” while the district prioritizes its financial reserves.

In a pointed criticism, Whittall accused the district leadership of amassing nearly $22 million in savings as of September, while making cuts that impact instructional time.

“The Board has allowed Superintendent Lewis to hoard funds, putting Moses Lake students at risk,” Whittall said.

However, Superintendent Carol Lewis has addressed these concerns, stating the district will not tap into the general fund balance, which, according to board policy, needs to be at 12.5%. Lewis previously explained she had promised the public they would do zero-based budgeting, which means the district will only spend what it has and account for everything. To fund the additional thirty minutes of elementary school, which the union has stated is one of its needs, would cost the district around $2 to $3 million from the General Fund balance.

According to district documents from September, the beginning fund balance was around $18.9 million.  

MLEA contends that despite ongoing negotiations since June, the district’s focus remains on financial savings rather than necessary investments in education.

Superintendent Carol Lewis, on behalf of the district, responded to concerns about the budgetary constraints and the ongoing negotiations. She reiterated the importance of obtaining a labor agreement that supports both educators and students while ensuring financial responsibility.

"The financial crisis that we were in... we're still coming out of it. We are not ... out of it yet," Lewis said. 

She emphasized the need for a robust fund balance to address payroll, emergencies, and essential cash flow management.

The district is facing a budget shortfall following a double levy failure in 2024, resulting in an $8 million reduction in its proposed budget for the 2025-26 school year.  

“We remain committed to respectful, productive discussions with the Association using the assistance of a mediator,” Lewis said. "Our focus is on supporting our students, honoring all staff, and ensuring long-term financial stability on behalf of our taxpayers." 

With both sides preparing for increased discussions, mediation has been solicited by the district in hopes of expediting negotiations.  

However, if a work stoppage occurs, MLSD has indicated that it would be "unsafe and illegal" to conduct instruction and supervision without MLEA staff, and the district pledged to inform families of any operational changes immediately. 

As the situation develops, the district has urged transparency and communication with families and community members. They encouraged reliance on official updates, noting that “high volumes of individual inquiries can slow the process of delivering information to all stakeholders.”

Whittall expressed hope that mediation might yield positive results.

“We hope the district hears us and responds with solutions that restore funding to their students, professional development, and educational programs without asking teachers to sacrifice even more,” she said. 

    Superintendent Carol Lewis has promised the community the district would do zero-based budgeting, which means the district will only spend what it has and account for everything. The district is also working to ensure it has a Reserve Fund that ensures smooth operations regardless of emergencies the district may face.