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DAYTON-The School Board approved the hire of secondary principal Guinevere Joyce; continued sport combine discussion; K-12 curriculum and policies at the meeting June 15. In addition, a proposed a joint meeting with the Waitsburg School Board on the athletic combine; schedule a budget meeting in July; and update on a grant. Reports were provided by the athletic director, district administrators, and the business manager on the budget status. Two district policies were up for review and approval of the second reading. Action items were approved for K-5 curriculum for science and 5-12 math curriculum as well as revised proposals from McKinstry for use of funds for designated capital improvement projects.
Strot reported the district interviewed two candidates for the secondary school principal position earlier in the day and recommended the hire of 10-year teacher and nine-year school administrator Guinevere Joyce from Moses Lake. She will come with a previous working relationship with incoming Interim Superintendent Richard Stewart. Strot made reference to the approved administrative restructuring plan for reducing the number of administrators from three to two and the plan of hiring a part-time principal with the hire of Stewart as a part-time superintendent. He stated with the full-time hire of Joyce the district would still be reducing administrative costs from having three full-time administrators to roughly 2.5. The School Board approved Joyce for hire.
Athletic Director Sam Korslund presented to the Board a revised Code of Conduct for review and approval before opening registration for fall sports in July. The high school fall sports schedule is posted on the DW sports app. Spring practices for fall sports are underway for football and volleyball.
Elementary Principal Amy Cox shared the success of the Title 1 Cinco de Libro Night where over 100 families attended and enjoyed the bounce houses, corn hole, karaoke, nachos, and a free book from the public library. She announced the school was awarded a rural schools grant of $38,000 that she is using to provide several opportunities for staff professional development over the summer centering around school climate and culture, as well as teaching strategies and student behavior management.
Strot presented the report for the secondary school. Appreciation was given for the work of Kristine Warren and Angie Alleman for graduation and for the Board Chair Jeff McCowen being present to hand out diplomas. Over $212,000 was awarded in scholarships. Middle school student Richard Finch was chosen to be Sheriff for a day and will shadow Sheriff Joe Helm for one day this summer. This program is sponsored by Walla Walla Area Crime Watch. The purpose is to honor kids with a permanent disability or chronic health issue and they teamed up with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.
A budget status report was provided by Business Manager Veronica Perez. The unreserved balance is at $1.3 million which well exceeds the $450,000 reserve fund policy of the district. The surplus funds can be used to cover projects, but grant funding will need to be pursued with COVID money no longer expected.
The Board approved the revised proposal from McKinstry for use of $352,000 Esser money and $100,000 in levy money and the application for the $4.9 million grant from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction for capital improvements namely the electrical grid for the elementary school and HVAC.
Two policies were reviewed for the second reading. Policy 2140 on Comprehensive School Counseling was approved, but Policy 2020 on Course Design, Selection and Adoption of Instruction Materials was tabled pending modifications. The Board approved curriculum for K-5 Mystery Science and for K-12 Reveal Math.
The Board also approved a joint meeting with the Waitsburg School Board proposed by Strot for the week of June 20 to be determined for either Wednesday or Thursday in Waitsburg for the purpose of discussing the DW athletic combine. Strot also proposed to the Board to schedule a budget hearing for 5 p.m. prior to the next regular meeting on July 20. The Directors also approved the hearing.
