Budget Shortfall Cancels WIAA Sports
Due to an accounting error, the Moses Lake School District was unable to fund WIAA sports or extracurricular activities for the 2024-2025 school year, resulting in an $11 million budget shortfall. A total of $2.6 million was spent on sports coaching, including $1.6 million for club-advising stipends and $1 million for transportation.
A significant portion of the $1.6 million has already been reduced, as the coaches’ union agreed to lower their stipends to $1 per year for the next two seasons.
A Community Comes Together
The harsh reality of empty stands and vacant fields weighed heavy on the Moses Lake community, especially with recent memories of what impact the COVID-19 pandemic had district-wide.
A Non-Profits Determination
Spearheaded by a group of coaches, administrators, and a community-led non-profit group called Community Athletics and Activities (CAA), a furious campaign has been underway to save those extra-curricular activities for the next two seasons.
“It’s monumentally important,” said Audra Eckenberg, a parent supporter of the CAA. “It’s all or nothing. The funds received through donations to the CAA are what completely fund athletics and extracurricular activities.”
As of August, Community Athletics and Activities have raised close to $500,000. The coaches also agreed to essentially oversee their sports programs for free, saving more than $1 million.
On Track for All Sports to be Played
As of September, Moses Lake is on track to offer most if not all, normal WIAA sports and extracurricular activities for its middle and high school students in the 2024-25 school year.
“It’s what makes Moses Lake special,” said Ryan Carpenter, president of the Community Athletics and Activities Organization. “This community has risen in a difficult spot, and it shows that high school activities here are very important.”
