MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District is accepting applications to fill a vacant seat on the school board following the resignation of Director Paul Hill, whose departure became effective at the conclusion of the board's Sept. 23 meeting. 

District officials praised Hill's service to the community and students during his five years on the board. 

"Paul's time here rings with being very student centered," said Moses Lake School District Director of Public Relations Ryan Shannon. "He's passionate about our students and our school district. He's passionate about the community, and ultimately, as he said numerous times during the time that I've known him, 'we do this for the kids.'" 

The vacancy is for the board's District 2 seat. Applicants must be registered Grant County voters and live within the District 2 boundaries. Applications are available through the Moses Lake School District website at MLSD161.org and must be submitted by noon Sept. 28. 

Shannon said serving on the school board is a volunteer commitment focused on overseeing district governance rather than day-to-day operations. 

"These are not paid positions," Shannon said. "To be a school board member, you are volunteering your time to be a member of the Moses Lake School Board." 

School board members are responsible for approving district policies and budgets, helping shape the direction of student education, hiring and evaluating the superintendent, and engaging with the community. 

"The school board's primary focus is governance," Shannon said. "They are here to facilitate and manage the overall governance of the district." 

Candidates selected for interviews will be invited to participate in a public interview process at 6 p.m. Oct. 1. The board hopes to discuss the candidates and make an appointment during the same meeting. 

Shannon encouraged residents interested in public education and civic engagement to consider applying. 

"If you have a passion for public education, if you have a passion for civic engagement, and you want to be part of a board that helps to do all those things I mentioned, then by all means, please consider applying for the position," he said. 

The appointment will not last for the remainder of Hill's term. Under state law, the individual selected will serve until the next school board election in November 2027, when voters will choose someone to complete the remainder of the term. 

During last week's meeting, the board also unanimously appointed Carla Urias to serve as vice chair for the remainder of the year following Hill's resignation.