Q&A: Moses Lake School District director candidates

MOSES LAKE — First-term incumbent Shannon Hintz is being challenged by Amy Breitenstein for one of three open positions on the Moses Lake School Board.

The Columbia Basin Herald submitted three questions to each candidate, with identical word limits and a deadline to submit their answers. Where needed the answers have been cut to fit the word limits set by the Columbia Basin Herald to ensure fairness to both candidates. The newspaper encourages voters to contact the candidates if they want to discuss issues in more detail.

Responses are in alphabetical order according to the candidates’ last name.

Election Day is Nov. 7; ballots will be mailed to voters about Oct. 18. Early voting opens Oct. 20.

What prompted you to run for school board?

Breitenstein: As a long-time Moses Lake resident and a 1993 Moses Lake High School graduate I have noticed the lack of transparency and community trust in our current school district. After the disappointment in the last bond measure and how the money was spent, I decided now as a taxpayer I could bring transparency and accountability back to our community. I believe the citizens who pay the taxes should not only have a voice but we must also be regarded as the biggest stakeholders and should be well represented on the school board. I plan on retiring in this community one day and I believe my fresh new perspective will bring back public trust and more importantly bring back safer spaces, less bullying, better test scores and positive supported community involvement in our district.

Hintz: During my first term, before I really got started, we had COVID. Then we experienced a leadership turnover which left no time to make much-needed improvements in the district. While on the board, I was involved with being the first district in the state to get computers in the hands of students and then the first district to get students back to in-person learning during COVID. Also during that time I helped in the restructuring and selecting the new leadership that is now in place, and while we have made excellent progress, there is still unfinished business that I would like to see completed. My first term was an incredible learning experience and I have the knowledge needed to help move the district forward.

What are the three most important issues you see facing the Moses Lake School District?

Breitenstein: The three most important issues facing our district today are lack of transparency, lack of communication and lowest test scores in 20 years. As a long-time resident I went to some of these schools and saw the deterioration and lack of convenient spaces as a student. I believe we have several schools that need to be replaced. Passing a bond to receive hard-earned taxpayer dollars must be completely transparent and we as taxpayers must receive what we voted on and what we paid for. It is my belief that this has not happened in the past. I am honored to be endorsed by Parents Rights in Education, Family Policy Institute of Washington, and Connecting Communities PAC. I am encouraged by the support and the wonderful opportunities for change that await our district.

Hintz: First, there are our aging schools that need a plan for improvement or construction. I proposed, when I first came on to the board, that we consolidate Larson Elementary and North Elementary into a new school to be built on Larson property. We have schools that are in great need of replacement, and we need a comprehensive plan. Second is managing the district’s funds to its highest and best use, no needless spending and when you spend you must be transparent to where it is going and how much it will cost. We currently have our maintenance department located out by the airport. It would be most cost-effective to locate the maintenance building on our own property, in town, where most of the schools are located. Third, attracting and hiring quality employees. With the leadership team and the district board running well, it gives confidence to people interested in working for the district to make the move here. We have been on the receiving end of recruiting and hiring high-quality talent within the last year which greatly impacts our students.

What are the three top things you want to do - your three most important goals — if elected?

Breitenstein: My goals are to immediately tour the schools to understand what needs to be addressed for school safety and infrastructure. I believe the community will fully endorse the ideas of new schools and school safety if we as a board are completely transparent with the citizens and their hard-earned tax dollars. I believe taking an active role, working with the citizens and other board members closely, we can come together. Also, by receiving input from teachers and staff we as a community can agree on a path forward in helping our students’ teachers and staff to be safe, be proud of their surroundings and create a comfortable school environment. My goals are to create infrastructure and safe schools for the students not only now but in the future. Our community is growing and with growth we can build on a district that sets the standard in Washington state. We have amazing teachers and staff and we as a board must support them. I believe a new perspective on the board will create a safe and effective learning environment for all students now and in the future. Working with our citizens and other board members closely I know we can come together.

Hintz: I would like to put together a community facility planning team so that we can learn what are the improvement needs of each school when they are up for state-matching funds for remodel or replacement and set a timeline. I also would like to work on more parental involvement. We need parents to be involved with the schools and their children's education. Parents and staff can work together for the success of their children. I would also like to see our math and English scores rise and exceed the state norms. It’s time to raise expectations on everyone involved and I'm prepared to continue to do that. Our kids and parents today face the greatest challenges that we never had. As a school board director we must take this into consideration and make sure they get the education they deserve.

Cheryl Schweizer may be reached at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.