MLSD Citizen Financial Oversight Committee reports declining attendance, seeks new members

“Attendance has declined since the district has amazingly come out of their debt situation. It’s just a tendency in communities to want to latch on when things are a problem, and then it phases off until things become a problem again.” — MLSD Citizen Financial Oversight Committee Co-Chair Audra Eckenberg

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School District Citizen’s Financial Oversight Committee is seeking new members as attendance has dwindled in recent months, co‑chairs Audra Eckenberg and Karl Ferranti told the school board during its April 16 regular meeting.

The committee was formed in 2023 after the district identified significant financial challenges. It was created to strengthen transparency, improve public understanding of school finances and provide a direct line between community members and district leadership, according to Eckenberg.

Executive Director of Employee Services Michelle Musso called the group “a special set of people … dedicating their time to help the district.”

“The purpose of the Moses Lake School District financial oversight committee is to function as a bridge between the school district and the community,” Musso said. “Supporting financial transparency and accuracy by ensuring public funds are utilized for the purpose of student safety, learning, well‑being and success.”

Participation has dropped

Ferranti, who has served on the committee since its inception, said he joined to understand better how the district operates.

“I’m originally from Tennessee … and part of the reason I’m a part of the committee was learning, to be honest – trying to understand how a school district runs,” Ferranti said. “What I’m hoping for with this is basically what’s on our statement: accountability and just the appropriate use of funds.”

Ferranti said the group has had “good discussions, at times debates,” but needs more voices, including school employees, to build a balanced membership.

Eckenberg, a certified public accountant and longtime Grant County resident, said participation has declined as the district’s financial situation has stabilized.

“Attendance has declined since the district has amazingly come out of their debt situation,” she said. “It’s just a tendency in communities to want to latch on when things are a problem, and then it phases off until things become a problem again.”

The committee currently has four to five regular attendees and just one school employee. Its goal is 10-12 active members.

A long-term community resource

Eckenberg said financial expertise is not required to join.

“You do not have to have any financial background whatsoever,” she said. “The goal originally with this group was to help the district and the board have an understanding of financial means … and also on the presentation of the information so that people who don’t have a financial background can understand what they’re seeing.”

She said the committee wants to become a long‑term resource for families, staff and residents – not just a crisis response group.

“Parents need to be involved. School employees need to be involved. And community members who don’t have anything to do with the school should be involved too,” Eckenberg said. “Understanding how their dollars are being spent and how the students are being served.”

How to get involved

The committee meets at 6 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the Learning Services Center, 1620 S. Pioneer Way.

Those interested in joining or submitting questions can email [email protected].

Eckenberg said the group welcomes both long‑term members and those who simply want to review materials or submit questions.

“We really encourage people to participate and reach out,” she said. “We listen to the people we talk to, and we ask those questions and get answers to them.”