MLSD board president to continue talks with Meek

MOSES LAKE — At a special meeting Friday, Moses Lake School Board voted to give its president the power to continue talks with Moses Lake School District Superintendent Josh Meek that will lead to his resignation.

Meek has been the subject of an investigation since early August into use of his school district credit card, reporting of leave time, and claiming project-related stipends without board approval.

The decision to authorize Vickey Melcher to continue talks was made after a two-hour, closed-door executive session called at 9 a.m. According to the motion, if Melcher believes she is successful in reaching terms acceptable to both Meek and the district, she will call another special meeting for the board to vote on the deal.

Melcher is also to call a meeting if she believes her efforts have been exhausted and a deal cannot be reached.

No timetable was set for this meeting, and no details were given. In a press release issued late Wednesday, MLSD said terms of Meek’s departure, including severance pay, were under discussion.

Board members made no comment about Friday morning’s meeting. Board member Elliott Goodrich, however, said he had concerns about the statement issued in the board’s name late Wednesday.

“I support this with one caveat, that I feel there was an inaccurate statement in the press release,” Goodrich said.

Goodrich would give no details, either during the meeting or after.