No COVID shot required for school entry

DAYTON-The School board was informed of the new COVID requirements for school entry; heard discussion on sex ed; advised of budget overage; and a $30,000 grant award were presented at the meeting April 20. In addition, written reports were provided in the Board Meeting Packet by principals Amy Cox and Kristina Brown who were not in attendance. Superintendent Guy Strot, Business Manager Veronica Perez, Athletic Director Sam Korslund and ASB and Student Board Representatives Aria Woodend and Madison Richardson were in attendance.

Strot announced that the State Board of Health voted against the addition of the COVID shot to the required vaccinations for school entry. He also informed the Board that the district is in process of updating the master schedule, and has received input from staff about elective classes to be added to the course catalog. Parents will be given copies for review of the course catalog along with their 10-12 grader’s transcript. He and Sarah Reser who will be the Academic Support Counselor next year, will be meeting with students currently in grades 5-11 to select their top four elective choices by May 9. After that is done, Strot will draft the final master schedule for the next school year.

A committee to review and choose comprehensive sexual health education curriculum is being formed and will be comprised of two board members, staff and three to four parents. Having the curriculum in place to teach next year for kids in grades 5, 8 and 10 and is required by law. Parents will be given the opportunity to review the curriculum and can choose to opt out their children out as has been allowed previously. When the District policy 2020 for Course Design, Selection & Adoption of Instruction Materials was reviewed after the first reading, Board member Aneesha Deiu suggested to amend the policy to include that no supplemental materials are to be taught on sexual education unless approved by the Board. The amendment passed unanimously with the approval of the first reading of the policy.

Perez provided a current budget status report. By March, the District should have expended 58% of the budget. The district is currently at 77% with encumbered expenditures included such as salaries, utilities and other contracts to be paid through the end of the year, and she concluded the current budget status is favorable. She added she expects revenues to increase when the district receives more of the grant claims. Many items come out of the budget over the summer for maintenance and other needs, and adjustments can be made, as needed for which items to pursue to meet the ending cash balance goal.

Kristina Brown and Behavior Specialist Angie Whaley applied for and was awarded a $30,000 grant through the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction for the District K-12 Social Emotional Learning curriculum that she will select along with Strot and Cox for next year. The high school is hosting the interactive drug education program for parents called Hidden in Plain Sight on May 12 at 6 PM in the auditorium. The program is given by Coalition of Youth and Families, Columbia County Public Health and WA State Health Care Authority. People 18 years and older are asked to register for the free event. http://www.facebook.com/cc/cyf

Korslund informed the Board of his decision to streamline communication between coaches, team members, parents and others through the use of a phone app for relaying information about team specific schedules, bus departure times and map locations for away games. The app will provide a “consistent, transparent method of communication.” Previously, various social media platforms were used that not everyone involved had access to. All spring sports teams have started having games as of April 25. Because of a large interest in middle school softball, they decided to allow the six eighth graders to play on the high school teams and have a JV team. Spring football and volleyball is scheduled to begin May 31.

Elementary School counselor Caitlin Patterson has secured funding to offer services to all students on Saturdays and during breaks. She saw students during spring break and will also be available during summer break. The after-school homework program continues to grow and now has over 40 students participating. Recent special events for elementary students have been the Book Fair and the week leading up to Easter where “eggs were given out or hidden in each classroom. If a student got or found a golden egg it had a special prize in it. The bunny also left ‘tracks’ around the school too.” Events coming up include the Title 1 Cinco de Mayo Family Night on May 5 which will feature a nacho bar, games, free books and bounce houses. Also, the spring music concert will be on two nights from 6:30-7:30 PM in the high school auditorium – May 19 for K-4 grades and May 16 for 5-12 grades.

Student Board Representative Madison Richardson presented a brief report and said that students feel the plan to have Sarah Reser for the Student Advisor is “a good fit”, but they ask that any changes to clearly communicated to the student body to prevent confusion. She also shared that several students were present at the recent Town Hall with Representative Cathy McMorris-Rodgers and “found it very informative.”

ASB Representative Aria Woodend told the Board about the spring themed Spirit Week coming up with activities such as movie and field days, a pep assembly and various spring inspired dress-up days including flower day, tie dye day and baseball jersey day. Prom will be held on May 7.