Dayton Schools still in "in-person" instruction; discusses School Resource Officer

DAYTON–Classes at the Dayton School District have resumed for in-person learning following the winter break for the week of January 4, School Directors heard at a Work Session January 8.

However, the District notified patrons that six members of its staff are being quarantined with four tested positive for COVID-19.

Also, one student had tested positive. All contact tracing is done through Public Health. Superintendent Guy Strot said that the District was fortunate to have substitutes for all six staff members.

A policy discussed was that for a School Resource Officer. Superintendent Strot said he's not asking the Board to consider any changes, but that they consider implementing it with the use of an officer for a limited number of school hours.

Director Dave Bailey questioned the need for one. "We don't have a need of a School Resource Officer in terms of violence or gang issues," Supt. Strot answered. "I think we do have a need for a School Resource Officer so that they can build a rapport with the students, so that the students have another avenue of support. There's a decent amount of evidence out there that a School Resource Officer who's not necessarily there to enforce the law but there to create a rapport and a relationship can be very effective."

There is a Healthy Youth Survey given in cooperation with Public Health each year that indicates that kids don't feel that school is a safe place, whether they fear actually being hurt or because of bullying or something else, Strot said. Board member Grant Griffen suggested conducting their own survey both before the Resource Officer would come on board and at the end of the school year. Strot approved of the idea for both students and staff. There is a question about ongoing cost and whether it is an essential policy that will discovered and discussed at the next meeting.

A donation of $26,000 was made from the Columbia County Public Health Department, of which Administrator Martha Lanman has indicated more additional funding may be available for a Resource Office. Lanman is talking with High School Principal Kristina Brown and Sheriff Joe Helm to come to an agreement for an officer and where Public Health would pay for the current year and possibly for future years.

Chairwoman Katie Leid was re-elected to the chair position, nominated by Director Fred White and approved by unanimous vote. Bailey was nominated as vice chairman by White, and also unanimously elected.

All Board members will continue to serve on the same committees.

The Board reviewed the Associated Student Body (ASB) policy and are considering a new policy wherein all students do not have to pay fees for an ASB card, clubs and sports participation. They first want to look at the impact collecting no fees would have on the ASB budget. Superintendent Strot said that he would ask Business Manager Paula Moisio to provide that information before the next regular meeting to discuss and possibly vote on the new policy. Moisio said that ASB pays for the referees for games, among other things.

The other option discussed was that only those students who receive free or reduced lunches would not pay the ASB fees. Director Dave Bailey thought that it may require more tracking than desired to figure out to whom this would apply and that there are other forms of equity to consider to be fair to all students. Bailey thought the ASB could look at ways to replace funds lost from fees, if needed.

Federal money will be coming in for educational aid in the amount of $808 per student, Strot reported. The money can be used for COVID related expenses and for students at risk including for intervention or summer school.