Latest news with #MosesLakeSchoolBoard
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Yahoo
MLSD updates policies
May 17—MOSES LAKE — At the Thursday night regular Moses Lake School Board meeting, one new policy was passed relating to social media usage for employees. The board also updated a policy in regard to capital assets and theft. Social Media Policy 5278 of the MLSD sets guidelines for employees' personal and professional use of social media and electronic communication. Employees are encouraged to maintain a clear distinction between their personal opinions and the district's official positions while ensuring that their private online activities do not disrupt the educational environment or harm the district's reputation. The policy emphasizes the importance of responsible posting, confidentiality, and the prohibition of inappropriate interactions with students through social media, mandating that all electronic communications related to school must be transparent and professional. Additionally, it outlines the protocols for managing District-sponsored social media, including user-generated content moderation, retention of public records, and the consequences for policy violations, affirming the district's commitment to upholding a respectful and secure online community. Property management Policy 6801 is in place for the school district to keep track of assets within the school district, such as computers, which may be targeted for theft. The policy requires the district to do an annual inventory of all assets and identify any that are missing. The updates to the policy include changing the amount of money the asset is worth to $10,000 instead of $5,000. Superintendent Carol Lewis said this had to do with inflation. The policy also now says the board will be provided with an annual report for assets not identified in the annual inventory. Previously, nothing was in place for the board to be informed.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Moses Lake School Board passes five policies, holds one
May 7—MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School Board met for its regular meeting April 1 and passed five policy updates and discussed one policy update with no action taken. The policies ranged from updating guidelines for non-resident students to removing a sentence from the district's sexual harassment policy. Non-resident students The first policy updated was 3141, which updates the guidelines for non-resident students who live outside of district boundaries. The board had read this policy change at the previous meeting, but no action occurred. The policy update says that nonresident students may apply for enrollment between June 1 and Aug. 15 annually, with provisions for home-based instruction also included. Applications are evaluated based on established criteria, including the district's financial capacity, available educational programs, and the student's disciplinary history. The district does not impose transfer fees or tuition for eligible nonresidents. Language barriers The next policy update was 4218, which aims to eliminate language barriers through a legally compliant, free-of-charge Language Access Program. Key components of the program include systematic identification of families needing language support, provision of competent oral interpretation and translation of vital documents for LEP families, where applicable. The district will designate a Language Access Liaison to oversee compliance with language access laws and facilitate staff training on effective communication with LEP families. Bidding process Then the board also passed an update to policy 6220, updating the procedures for obtaining goods and services. The procurement of furniture, supplies, and equipment varies based on estimated costs: purchases below $40,000 require no competitive bidding, while those between $40,000 and $75,000 follow an informal competitive process, and amounts exceeding $75,000 necessitate a formal bidding process. For improvements or repairs under $75,000, the district may proceed without bidding; for projects over $100,000, formal bidding is required. Additionally, the policy encourages participation from minority and women-owned businesses in the bidding process and provides exemptions in cases of emergencies or single-source supplies. Social media The next policy the board discussed was policy 5228, which they did not vote upon during the meeting. That policy would update guidelines for faculty and staff in regard to social media usage. If the board decides to pass the policy and the guidelines are violated, the person would be subject to disciplinary action. Student reps Next, the board voted to update the number of student representatives who can serve on the board as non-voting members. The update will allow for up to four students to serve instead of two. Line change The sexual harassment policy's wording was simplified to eliminate a reference to "under the law."
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Groff litigation, improving finances addressed in MLSD board meeting
Apr. 4—MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake School Board met for a regular meeting April 3 and discussed litigation regarding Groff Elementary, adding public health information to the district website, protection of student information and heard a financial report from MLSD superintendent Carol Lewis. Groff Elementary The board unanimously approved resolution 2025-06 for MLSD to pursue legal action regarding the Groff Elementary school project against Fowler General Construction Inc. The resolution says the construction of Groff was not completed in accordance with the agreed project schedule including defects to the school's mechanical and electrical system, roofing system and stairs. MLSD Public Information Director Ryan Shannon said there will be further developments discussed during the press conference today in regard to the litigation. Public Health The board passed a resolution unanimously to update policy 4001 about community relations. The update will include public health information from the Department of Health regarding substance use trends, overdose symptoms and response, secure storage or prescriptions drugs and firearms. The district will keep the community informed on these topics and any other pressing public health topics. The district will post this information at least twice a year. Finances As of February 2025, the district had spent 46.16% of the budgeted expenditures, according to Lewis. In 2023 and 2024 it was 50.52% and 51.36%, respectively. "This is an awesome thing that expenditures are going down 5%, that is a big deal," Board Member Ryan Coulston said. By February in the past three years around $75,411,000, $78,310,000 and $62,610,000 had been spent, respectively. Revenues have remained pretty consistent throughout the past three years. Lewis also highlighted that travel costs are significantly less this year in comparison to previous years. This year as of February, the district has spent around $21,200. Last year, in the same time frame, the district spent around $237,900 and the year prior it had spent around $115,000. This is also the first year in the past three years where revenues have been over expenditures. In February 2025, the revenue is around $6.68 million over expenditures. In 2024, the expenditures were about $11.14 over revenue. In the year prior the expenses were around $9.53 million over the revenues. As of March, the actual fund balance is greater than the anticipated fund balance, according to Lewis's presentation. "We are very pleased that our fund balance is over $15 million right now," Lewis said. "The prediction was $5 million so we have done an amazing job, and we are getting closer to where we need to be." Student info The board unanimously adopted policy 3235, which ensures all negotiated contracts and online "terms of use" agreements align with the Student User Privacy in Education Rights Act.
