MLSD Financial Oversight Committee meets for first time

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District hosted its first Financial Oversight Committee meeting Jan. 29. The committee is a volunteer-based group of local professionals from industries including accounting, finance and similar fields. The group was established to hold the district to another level of accountability with its finances. 

“The group of citizens who met to form the Financial Oversight Committee are dedicated to the success of the Moses Lake School District,” MLSD Superintendent Carol Lewis said. “As part of their first meeting, the group identified four top priorities: watching over the district's finances, ensuring every dollar spent benefits students, building a bridge between the community and the school district and supporting transparency and accuracy.” 

In 2024, MLSD faced financial difficulties including a double levy failure in the spring, accrued accounting errors and budget shortfalls. According to Lewis, this committee is a step towards restoring trust and ensuring responsible financial management moving forward. 

Since this was the first meeting, Director of Public Relations Ryan Shannon said it was a rudimentary meeting establishing goals, outlining the basics of school district finance and answering questions. 

“Everything we do in this district has to have a purpose statement,” Shannon said. “So, the group answered some questions that (Lewis) will take back and we will formulate the next time we get together. What is that overall purpose statement, what are the expectations that the group would like to accomplish with their job as a committee? There was some discussion on these questions.”  

Shannon said the group decided it would not be setting policy.  

“They are there to provide some of their expertise in accounting or finance, the financial world, to help the organization look at how we do our finances, and how we present it, and for the community to get a better picture of our finances,” Shannon said.  

According to Lewis, the board will be meeting monthly, with a focus on the above priorities and eventually begin providing reports to the Moses Lake School Board.  

Shannon said another aspect the group may bring is a better way for the district to present their finances to the public.  

“We put our finances out there on our website for everybody to review,” Shannon said. “However, if you need some late-night reading, it will put you to sleep. It can get a little bit mundane and uninteresting. So, what are some better ways that we can present some of that data? I think this committee might be able to help with that process and how that information is delivered.” 

Lewis said the board is not currently taking on new members as it establishes itself, however, people can reach out to her if interested in joining the finance committee.

“It was very fundamental: Let's get everybody together, let's have the conversation,” Shannon said. “Let's begin to lay the groundwork for what the committee will become and what it will do. And (have those) beginning conversations as to where we go from here,”