MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Education Association executive board voted to initiate a strike Monday if an agreement is not reached with the Moses Lake School District by the end of mediation Sunday, according to a statement from MLEA issued Friday afternoon. 

“We have bargained in good faith since June, and have made significant concessions to settle this bargain,” said MLEA President Heather Whittall in the statement. “But district Superintendent (Carol) Lewis continues to place the financial burden for her personal agenda directly on the backs of teachers without adequately justifying why reducing funds for our classrooms is beneficial to Moses Lake students.” 

MLEA said the district is prioritizing the General Fund balance over investing in teachers and students. According to previous reporting by the Columbia Basin Herald, MLEA is frustrated about the continued decrease in elementary start time this school year. The schools begin at 9:30 a.m., whereas previously the day had begun at 9 a.m. However, Lewis said she had made clear to educators that the returned start time would not be possible after the budget shortfall and double levy failure in the 2024-25 school year.  

“Our students are losing ground,” said Whittall in a previous statement. “For the second year in a row, teachers have lost prep time, and our students are receiving less instructional time, while the district chooses to grow its savings account instead of prioritizing spending where students need it most, in their classrooms.” 

The cost to reinstate the 30 minutes to the elementary schedule would be around $2 to $3 million from the General Fund, according to MLSD. If the district were to fund this, it would dip into the board-required 12.5% fund balance, according to Lewis. The district has consistently indicated that it intends to stick to its financial commitments as described during the informational campaign associated with the maintenance and operations levy passed this spring, which included financial goals such as a satisfactory fund balance. The district plans to reinstate the time in the 2026-27 school year, according to MLSD Director of Public Relations Ryan Shannon.  

“The financial crisis that we were in, we're coming out of it, but we're still coming out of it. We are not out of it yet, and so we always knew it was going to take two years,” Lewis said previously. “So, the fund balance is there to ensure that cash flow needs are met.”  

The district’s financial challenges under prior administrations had, at one point, made it necessary to tap into a variety of options to even make payroll for teachers and staff. 

Negotiations between MLEA and Moses Lake School District have been ongoing since June. This is the last contract the district has to finalize, with the district reaching a new agreement with the Moses Lake Principals Association on Wednesday.  

“The District remains committed to bargaining a fair and financially responsible labor agreement with the (Moses Lake Education) Association,” Shannon wrote in an email. “On Wednesday, November 26, the Association informed the District, through a mediator, that it would be ready to exchange proposals on Sunday, November 30, but not sooner.”  

The district announced it would start a mediation process with the association Nov. 12, after months of negotiations. MLEA agreed to be a part of the mediated process.  

“We appreciate the continued dialogue with MLEA and look forward to the mediation process. Our focus remains on finding a resolution that supports our students and allows our schools to continue providing the best possible learning environment while maintaining a balanced budget,” Lewis said in a statement.  

The next day, MLEA held a general membership meeting where 90% of members present authorized the executive board to initiate a strike should a tentative agreement not be ratified by midnight Nov. 28. 

At the Nov. 20 meeting, the school board passed resolution 2026-03, in anticipation of the potential teacher strike. The resolution allows for suspension of existing policies that could hinder immediate action during a strike. In the event of a work stoppage by the local union, the resolution empowers the superintendent or designated representative to close school facilities and limit access to school grounds. Access to school campuses would be restricted for striking MLEA members.  

Shannon said the district has contingency plans established to execute in the event of a strike, which will address ensuring students get the nutritional and other supports they need during any potential strike. However, the district remained hopeful Friday that a strike would be avoided.

Furthermore, the district may hire temporary employees to fulfill necessary roles. Striking members may have health insurance premiums suspended, and sick leave would require a certification of illness. Unauthorized absences may lead to disciplinary actions or discharge procedures.  

The resolution emphasizes the potential of harm to students and the community, declaring that "the residents of the district and the school-age children in the community will be irreparably injured" if a work stoppage occurs. 

It also allows the district to pursue legal remedies against individuals participating in a strike, the MLEA or both.  

According to RCW 41.59.020, certificate employees of school districts, who include teachers, have the right to engage in collective bargaining. However, strikes by public employees are not protected in Washington State, according to RCW 41.56.041. 

“Nothing contained in this chapter shall permit or grant any public employee the right to strike or refuse to perform his or her official duties,” reads RCW 41.56.041. 

MLEA and MLSD will be meeting Sunday for further negotiations.  

“We remain hopeful,” said Whittall in a statement. “We all want to be back in our classrooms with our students Monday. We need Superintendent Lewis and the district to show respect for Moses Lake teachers by settling a fair contract that ensures we keep what we have so we can meet the needs of Moses Lake students.” 

For those interested in learning more about the negotiation process, MLSD has been updating its website with current information, which can be accessed at mlsd161.org/135123_3. The link leads to a spreadsheet that contains additional links to various proposals by both parties in the negotiation. 

The Columbia Basin Herald will have additional coverage posted to columbiabasinherald.com after negotiations close Sunday. The results of that negotiation session were not available as of press time. 

    If a strike is initiated, Moses Lake School District Superintendent Carol Lewis has the power to close schools, limit access to school grounds and hire temporary employees to continue operations. Striking for public employees is not protected in Washington State, according to RCW 41.56.041.