LETTER: In support of the MLSD levy

Dear editor, 

I am writing to encourage a yes vote in the school levy election on February 11th. The district has done an excellent job of looking at what happened financially and has taken many positive steps to ensure we are not in this position again. Yes, I understand some voters have lost trust and know the district must earn that trust back. 

But the community also must allow the district to regain the trust. We cannot continue to hold grudges and ignore the positive changes already made. The community has received an apology from the superintendent, numerous safeguards have been put in place, and a thorough, independent audit is underway.

It’s time to allow the wound to heal and move forward. 

The state expects communities to be part of supporting their schools through levy dollars, and when we do that, we are further rewarded by the state with an additional influx of money, called Local Effort Assistance (LEA). This money comes from taxes we already pay but goes into the state coffers to be redistributed to school districts when they pass a levy. When we say no to a levy, we are also saying no to millions of dollars in additional funding. 

So, what impact does LEA have on the Moses Lake School District? Because we did not pass a levy last year, we are not only losing the dollars the levy would have generated but are also losing an additional $6,000,000 in LEA for 2025. If we pass the levy on February 4th, the district will not only collect the levy dollars, but over the four-year life of the levy, the state will send us an additional $23,500,000! This will go a long way in building up the legally required fund balance we must maintain, as well as help support student safety, academics, and activities. 

If the levy fails, it stands to reason that further cuts in staffing, materials, and supplies will be made. This will have a negative impact on students and their education, not to mention the members of our community who will lose their jobs. 

One misconception about a levy is that it is a new tax. No, it is simply replacing the tax that is about to expire. As we have seen, voters can reject renewing the tax, or they can vote to continue the tax.  

Think of it this way: Each year you receive a bill in the mail to renew the license tabs on your car. You can choose to renew the tabs and continue driving the car, or you can choose to not renew the tabs, and stop using the car, dealing with any negative impact that comes with that decision. 

I am 65 years old and retired. I do not have children attending Mose Lake schools, but I will always support school levies to be sure the future leaders of our community, state, and nation have the best possible chance of success.  

Please join me in voting yes Feb. 11! 

Michael Nordsten
Moses Lake