Lewis voted in as MLSD superintendent
At Thursday’s Moses Lake School Board meeting, following an executive session, Carol Lewis was appointed to the superintendent position after serving as the interim superintendent for the district for around five months. Lewis has overseen changes in staffing and procedures to ensure the district does not have further financial issues after a budget shortfall caused by serious accounting errors was discovered this past spring.
NANCE BESTON/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake School District Interim Superintendent Carol Lewis was appointed to the permanent superintendent position at the MLSD board meeting Thursday.
“I just want to say thank you to the board for trusting me to do this job,” Lewis said during the board meeting. “This is not something I take lightly, and I understand the enormity of everything we have ahead of us, and how much the 8,300 and more kids in Moses Lake need strong leadership, and I'm really looking forward to being able to lead our school district to a place of stability.”
The MLSD board voted unanimously to appoint Lewis to the position. MLSD board member Paul Hill made the motion to appoint Lewis after MLSD Board Chair Kirryn Jensen read the statement.
“Miss Lewis has served our district with distinction as acting superintendent and in her current role as Interim Superintendent since May, she has demonstrated remarkable dedication, skill and integrity, working tirelessly to bring stability and positive change to our district,” Jensen said.
Lewis has been serving as the interim superintendent for around five months after former superintendent Monty Sabin resigned June 30. Lewis was initially named the acting superintendent May 14 after Sabin was placed on administrative leave. Then, at the June 27 meeting she was promoted to interim superintendent.
“In her recent role at Moses Lake School District, Miss Lewis has not only met but exceeded our expectations,” Jensen said. “Her leadership vision and commitment to our students, staff and community, make her the ideal person to lead Moses Lake School District forward.”
According to a release from the district, Lewis has played a key role in district finances by helping MLSD handle the budget shortfall since it was discovered and implementing measures to ensure long-term financial stability.
“We look forward to continuing our partnership with Miss Lewis as she leads our district with the same strength and dedication that she has shown from day one,” Jensen said. “Thank you to our community for your support as we have as we take this important step forward in our district's journey.”
Lewis was formerly the assistant superintendent of MSLD before she stepped into the role of interim superintendent. The release stated that she has held various roles in education over her career.
“Her leadership is expected to support ongoing initiatives in curriculum development, student achievement, and policies focused on a belief in all students,” reads the statement from the district.
The Columbia Basin Herald will be releasing a more detailed article on Lewis, her career and her plan for the future of MLSD later this week.