LETTER: Let go the past and look forward

Regardless of how (the Moses Lake School District) got into its current state, a new levy is necessary to adequately address student needs.  If the 2025 levy fails, another levy cannot be proposed until 2027. That is another two years of insufficient funds wherein all the current problems will be exponentially exacerbated.

If Moses Lake residents want to attract businesses to invest in the area and provide jobs, there must be a reputable school system. Moses Lake already has a severe shortage of healthcare workers and a variety of other professionals and services that a city of its size should have. How can citizens expect to attract talent when the school system is suffering?

Students who receive a good education can become valuable employees. Students who can participate in extracurricular activities often graduate with better skill sets and character and are less likely to become involved in drugs, gangs and other forms of crime.

Community problems will increase if the funding shortfall continues unabated. It will require more money and time to recover the longer it takes for corrective action to be taken. Refusing to adequately fund the district doesn’t “teach them a lesson,” it hurts students and the community long term.

There should be accountability for the missing funds. There should be a regular forensic audit of funds as clearly, citizen oversight was insufficient. Those are sensible measures. Underfunding the local education system is not helpful, but hurtful to the community. As an MLHS graduate, I encourage voters to vote yes for the levy. 

Kathleen Rath
Moses Lake