School board approves staffing changes

DAYTON–The Dayton School Board heard reports from district administrators, the athletic director, the business manager and Student Board and Associated Student Body (ASB) representatives during the March 16 meeting. They also approved three additional recommendations from Superintendent Guy Strot. Four out of seven have been approved leaving three for further review and consideration.

Three recommendations from Strot to the Board were approved, including to review the math curriculum, revise the master class schedule to include additional electives, and to develop a financial plan for this fiscal year and next. The recommendation to engage and support secondary students in changing the school culture was tabled for further review and the two non-essential recommendations to update the agriculture and shop classes and establish a partnership with Walla Walla Community College still remain to be considered.

Following the Board meeting, Strot sent out an email to parents telling them of the approved changes including that he will be assuming the combined high school principal and superintendent role next year.

In addition, students in fifth through twelfth grades for the next school year and their parents will be given a questionnaire about what electives are of interest to them. From this, the top four electives will be chosen to be offered next year and be part of the revised master schedule. Additionally, elementary teacher Sarah Reser will assume the Academic Support Counselor position for the secondary school and Hannalee Farrell will take on K-8 Dean of Students position.

Student reports were given by Sage Kilts representing the ASB and Madison Richardson serving as Student Board Representative. Kilts said, “We are planning a spring Spirit Week following Senior Night for softball and baseball. We are going to be having elections coming up soon, so we are planning for that. We’re also going over our constitution and making some edits to that.” Board Chair Jeff McCowen asked if election sign-ups will be open to incoming ninth graders to which Kilts affirmed, they would be included. Richardson read a statement of an anonymous fellow student. They expressed concern over the restructuring of the administration, and Strot being responsible for both high school principal and superintendent, about whether Stot’s new plan for offering more electives will include input from the students and that the academic counselor would also be responsible for discipline. The statement ended on a positive note. She read that not having to “wear a mask in school anymore has boosted the students’ and the staffs’ mood. Teachers are happier that they don’t have to continue telling kids to put their mask up and...be reminded.” Board member Aneesha Dieu clarified that the guidance counselor will not be in charge of discipline, but rather be two different positions. She also said, “I am very happy to see your smiling face.” To which Richardson replied enthusiastically, “I am happy to see all of yours!”

Athletic Director Sam Korslund reported strong participation in spring sports which are underway.

He also approached the Board about considering the use of a camera system for continuing to livestream games. The Waitsburg School Board is also being approached about this and if both boards agree to use the system, they would be given four cameras. They would place two cameras in the gym and two on the outdoor fields. The system would be at no cost to the districts other than providing internet capability to the fields.

The system would also enable recording of practices for team viewing. The districts would have ownership of the content and the videos from the games can be posted to different platforms or for those who wish to, they can purchase a subscription to view the livestreaming of which the districts receive 10% of the cost of each. McCowen asked whether this ability would negatively impact in-person attendance at games. Korslund answered that the teams have a strong attendance and that he doesn’t see that changing.

Dieu asked how many in the league use the system. He thought 10 of the 12 in the league have them installed or are in the process of getting the system going and emphasized that having the system is helpful for viewing away games, for elderly viewers and during inclement weather. He added that having the service would provide potential opportunity for students to gain experience and credit with posting scores on the screen and broadcasting plays.

Principal Amy Cox provided news of the elementary school. During the first week of March, they held Read Across America week while also celebrating Dr. Suess’ birthday. Events offered during school included door decorating and reading challenges, as well as two dress-up days. Students earned pieces of duct tape totaling over 1000 pieces, to tape Mrs. Cox to the wall. Title 1 also held a reading night which was well attended with such activities as reading by flashlight in tents, making a kind slime called ooblek and stacking cups. The elementary is offering an after-school program for homework and about 12-15 students attend regularly. The fourth to fifth grades finished the ski program earlier this month as part of their PE curriculum. Spring conferences are being held this week.

High School Principal Kristina Brown stated in her report, “The Leadership team will be meeting...in February to look at feedback from staff and parents about the current discipline matrix and process. This process is funded by Dayton Coalition for Youth and Families of which I am part of and completed by Cascadia Youth Mental Health PLLC. The focus is on effective discipline and youth behavioral health.

Looking at the data...the team has drilled down to Three recommendations: Update substance use discipline procedures and practices, develop staff professional development plan focused on non-punitive approached to student discipline, develop parent education plan about discipline laws and behavior management strategies used by the school.

The leadership team will now move forward to create a step-by-step process for discipline and substance abuse. I am working with the Columbia County Coalition for Youth and Families to bring in some presenters for our parents and community regarding substance abuse education and discipline laws.” In addition to this, A “Kindness Counts” initiative is being promoted in the school until the end of the year being led by a team consisting of the school counselor Caitlin Patterson, teacher Jen Crane and students on ASB and from the Leadership Team. The group is offering acts of kindness challenges to be awarded prizes. Members of the community are asked to participate by sending affirmative statements about the students to the district to be shared. Also, a “Level Up” rewards activity is being promoted in the secondary school where teachers record when they see students doing great things at school who then receive a prize.

The middle school ASB has put together two events for this month– a movie night and a spring dance. FFA Week was held the last week of February where participants in the program were able to drive a tractor to school, hold a pep rally and an FFA alumni dinner.

Business Manager Veronica Perez provided a brief budget report and said broadly that district is “trending safely” within budget with a projected ending fund balance of $600,000 which leaves room to make decisions on some summer projects.

Four policies were up for review. One policy 2140 for Comprehensive School Counseling Board member Korinda Wallace asked for more time to review before approving. Also, the Curriculum Policy and Procedure will be given a first reading at the next meeting to allow for opportunities for revision.

About 26 attended online and 15 in person for the hybrid March 16 meeting. This was the first meeting after masks were made optional by Governor Inslee.