Moses Lake FFA controversy: allegations found to be unfounded

MOSES LAKE — Allegations made by Tony Kern, the longtime agriculture teacher and Future Farmers of America advisor in Moses Lake, regarding the misappropriation of approximately $55,000 in FFA fundraising revenue have been officially addressed and found to be unfounded, according to statements from both the Moses Lake School District and FFA. The incident garnered significant attention at the Dec. 4 Moses Lake School Board meeting and on social media, prompting the Moses Lake School District to respond with a comprehensive review of the claims. 

At the heart of the matter was a statement made by Kern during the school board meeting, where he described a situation involving the funds raised by the FFA chapter through various fundraisers over the years. Kern explained that until the 2014-2015 school year, all FFA fundraising money was securely held in the Moses Lake High School Associated Student Body account. However, changes imposed by district administration required the funds to be redirected to a general fund account. 

“Until 2014, all funds were kept safely in the Moses Lake High School ASB account,” Kern said during the meeting. “In August, the district reclaimed all unspent carryover funds and did not return them to their original accounts. During this sweep, roughly $55,000 in Moses Lake FFA fundraiser funds were taken and never restored because the business office was in disarray.” 

Kern expressed frustration over the situation, asserting that the money raised through student efforts was intended solely for the benefit of the FFA program.  

“The money was raised by our students, advisors, and volunteers for the benefit of FFA members, not as district revenue,” he said.  

Kern said he spoke with MLSD Superintendent Carol Lewis in October, claiming she expressed regret, but nothing could be done about the funds because it had been absorbed into the general fund. Kern concluded his remarks at the meeting by urging the school board to act in rectifying what he believed to be a significant misallocation of funds. 

In response to Kern's allegations, the Moses Lake School District conducted a thorough review of FFA financial records from 2015 to 2025. On Dec. 10, the district released an official statement detailing the findings of their investigation.  

During the review, district staff collaborated with FFA leadership and discovered inaccuracies in the coding of a small number of entries, according to the statement. These financial entries had been incorrectly categorized under the woodshop program, another vocational initiative within the district, rather than being allocated to the FFA program. 

In its statement, the district clarified: “Both the District and FFA leadership confirmed that the allegations against the district were false. No FFA student funds were taken, transferred, or withheld by the district.”  

As a result of the review, it was determined that the current balance for the FFA program stands at approximately $30,000, ensuring that all funds are accounted for and in proper standing. 

The Moses Lake FFA also released a statement acknowledging the scrutiny surrounding the fundraising money, and deleted a social media post that reiterated Kern’s allegations.  

“We are now very confident that ALL funds have now been accounted for and put in the right place! Additionally, the district has supported us in finding a solution to eliminate any future issues,” their statement read. “After a thorough review we believe that the mix up with the funds was done inadvertently and without intent. We believe that all levels within the Moses Lake School District have a desire to support the students, club activities, and the Moses Lake FFA.” 

The FFA further stated that future fundraising dollars would be allocated solely to the ASB account to safeguard the funds. 

The district’s commitment to transparency, especially following the financial turbulence it faced in 2024, was also underscored in their statement.  

"We recognize the concern this situation has caused ... All financial records reviewed as part of the FFA audit are now posted publicly on the district website,” the MLSD statement said.