Moses Lake School Board election Q&A

MOSES LAKE — Two candidates are running for Position 3 on the Moses Lake School Board, the incumbent Susan Freeman and challenger Carla Urias.

The Columbia Basin Herald submitted three questions to each candidate both candidates simultaneously with set word count limits and an identical deadline to return their responses. Where needed, the answers below have been trimmed to fit within the word limits set by the paper in order to ensure fairness to both candidates. We encourage voters to reach out to candidates if they would like to discuss the issues below in more detail.

Responses are in alphabetical order by candidate's last name.

Election Day is Nov. 7 and ballots will be mailed out to voters Oct. 18 in time for early voting to begin Oct. 20.

What prompted you to run for the school board?

Freeman: When I was first elected eight years ago, I found that I had much to learn. I am now the one person on the board who has previously been a part of some of the functions of the board. In addition to a relatively fresh board, we also have a completely new administration team. Although I continue to learn, I am the one person on the board who is familiar with the background on many of the issues we face moving forward. I feel that my experience is a benefit to both the board and the admin team.

Urias: I have four kids, ages 6-18, currently in the Moses Lake School District. After seeing the effects COVID-19 had on our children and the damage COVID caused to children, I prayed and talked to family members and friends, and decided I could no longer sit by silently. With mental health issues at an all-time high in our district, bullying and fights at an alarming rate and grades at a 20-year low, I felt as a mom and a Christian I must do my part to stand up and help not only my own children but all Moses Lake students. I believe I can bring a fresh new perspective to the board. As a Moses Lake School District mom, I appreciate my opponent’s eight years of service as a board member, but I believe it’s time for new ideas to solve the ever-changing challenging issues we face.

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

Freeman: Facilities maintenance and improvement. Ten of our schools were hastily built under the Impact Aid laws of 1950 which eased the burden on communities affected by the presence of military and other federal installations.

These buildings have limited capacity and do not meet the safety standards for current times. My experience gives me ... perspective on long-range planning as well as knowledge about how schools are funded.

Recruiting and retaining quality teachers and support staff. An experienced and smoothly operating board of directors, familiar with the laws and limitations imposed by the Legislature, reflects well on the district and makes Moses Lake a more attractive place for top-tier employees to reside, not only district employees but other professionals.

Improving graduation rates. Graduation rates are nearly 20% higher now compared to when I was first elected. Facilities and staffing play major roles in ... keeping this trend going in the right direction. Our district currently has ... different paths to graduation which ensures that the varying needs of at-risk students are more likely to be met.

I have been, and if re-elected will continue to be, a strong advocate to see that the needs of all our students are met.

Urias: The three most important issues I believe are affecting our district are parent involvement, grades and mental health. Through COVID all of our children suffered greatly, which if not addressed immediately will have long-term effects on not only our kids but families in our district. I am honored to be endorsed by Parents Rights in Education, the Family Policy Institute of Washington and Connecting Communities PAC. Also as a mom who personally sees the impact of learning loss and mental health, we must address these three issues to set a standard for our children.

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

Freeman: I want to ensure that taxpayer's dollars are spent wisely, and frugally. During my tenure on the board we were able to eliminate a substantial sum of wasteful spending from the budget. I have the perspective to be aware of where these cuts were made and why, and I am aware of where more efficiency is still needed.

I want to see the graduation rate continue to climb, as there is still plenty of room for improvement. While that is not directly within the control of a school director, the policies we set, the staff we recruit and the facilities we provide are major factors.

I want to be a source of wisdom and experience for my fellow board members.

Urias: My goals for our children and our community are parental involvement, grades and mental health. Along with my fellow board members I will take an active role in monthly school tours. I will ask for community involvement and through parental committees and take an active role in parent-teacher relationships within the schools. With my other board members we will work with the principals and superintendent to set a standard for test scores at every school in our district and design a rewards system for each school based on success. We have amazing teachers and support staff, and with a fresh new perspective on the board we can set a new standard for our district.