Dayton School Board appoints Zac Fabian to vacant board position

DAYTON-The Dayton School Board appointed Zac Fabian to the vacant School Board Position No. 2 at the meeting November 17.

Directors interviewed two candidates, Bryan Martin and Zac Fabian, for the vacant School Board Position No. 2. A third candidate, James Wyant Jr., withdrew his candidacy.

The Board prepared ten interview questions to be asked of each candidate.

Bryan Martin, a Dayton High School graduate, earned an engineering degree and is now working as a surveyor in the community. He has two children enrolled in the School District. He's been on various boards and commissions and has experience working with those with differing points of view. He sees the staff here cares for students, however there is a lack of extra-curricular activities locally.

He believes as a board member, it is important to listen to concerns, and if needed, follow up with action. The changes in the School District Martin would like to see is the athletic combine become more cohesive and for the school environment to be more positive for staff and students. He also believes it is important to discover the reason out why some families have opted their children out of public school and what needs are not being met.

Zac Fabian comes from a family of educators. He has four children enrolled in the School District, and his wife Carly Benavides is a staff member and a graduate of Dayton High School. He assists his wife with coaching girls' community softball.

Fabian has experience working in a credit union for several years and currently works as a correctional officer at the penitentiary. He said his experiences have given him skills in de-escalation and problem solving.

Fabian stated that one of the strengths of the School District is the mutual support between the schools and the community. He sees the pandemic as core to the struggle currently in the schools as well as the need to connect parents with the services offered by the Educational Service District 123, such as an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) for students and their families.

Fabian views the purpose of the school board is to provide checks and balances within the School District and to ensure students are prepared to succeed after graduation. He emphasized the need to learn why students are being pulled from the School District, set a goal to bring kids back and have a dedicated staff.

After an executive session, the Board reconvened and announced its decision to appoint Zac Fabian. He can run for public election if he chooses to do so in 2023. He will be sworn in at the next school board meeting on December 2.