Three interested in filling vacant Director Pos. 2 on School Board

DAYTON-The Dayton School Board convened by Zoom to approve new hires, combined athletic bylaws, address how to conduct candidate interviews for open positions, approved athletic bylaws and new girls' basketball coach and assistant coach, a grant option, and a possible mission statement change during the work session meeting on November 3.

Three candidates have come forward with interest in the vacant Position 2 seat: Bryan Martin, Zak Fabian and James Wyant Jr. Board member Fred White suggested in-person meetings for the interview due to uncertain internet connection for some people. He also considered that approach as optimal. Board member David Bailey expressed concerns over attendees not wearing masks and stated it best to utilize ZOOM until Gov. Inslee ends the mask mandate.

Board member Jeff McCowen and Superintendent Guy Strot suggested creating a hybrid format for conducting interviews that way if mandates were not being met, the meeting can end and resume on ZOOM. No decision was made and Strot will further investigate options for the interviews meeting. Interviews for the District No. 2 position will be held November 17 as part of the regular meeting.

The Board approved the hiring of Roy Ramirez for head high school girls' basketball coach and Carly Benavides as assistant coach. Also approved for hire was Suzie Butler as kindergarten teacher.

A State grant is being sought by the district with the assistance from McKinstry with a final project proposal to be ready by the end of January 2022 and the grant application completed and submitted to the State in May. The bulk of the proposal will be to cover $3 million to $5 million in facilities improvements.

The Board approved the athletic combine committee bylaws. Athletic Director Sam Korslund said that committee meetings will be resuming. As with most committees, the meetings are not required to be public but Korslund said the public is welcome and the meetings are advertised on both school websites and the athletics website. He voiced concern that those who attend meetings conduct themselves in an orderly manner which hasn't always been the case because student representatives will also be attending. Any issues with the combine can be directed to committee members, Korslund or the school boards. One school board member from each school will be regularly attending the meetings and be reporting back to their respective boards. Strot added that concerns can also be addressed at the school board meetings.

The district strategic plan was also a topic for discussion with a few suggestions for a change in the mission statement. Generally, the plan is being modeled on the Reardon-Edwall School District plan. Strot presented goals around the four "pillars" of student achievement, resource management, District communication and collaboration and unified school culture.

In addition to goals for the four pillars, goals for a "data dashboard" were presented where individual academic information would be made available for students, parents, staff and the public. Board members plan to review the goals and provide feedback at the work session meeting in December.