School Board may consider part-time superintendent

DAYTON–The School Board decided on board assignments for 2023, had discussions about changes to how meeting information is provided to the public and to the format for public comment, as well for deciding criteria for a permanent superintendent at the December 21 meeting. The Board was also provided the monthly reports from the athletic director and the administration.

A representative from the firm chosen to aid in the search for a permanent superintendent attended to learn what the district is looking for. Interim Superintendent Rich Stewart pointed out the district cannot afford three full-time administrators. The district has been moving in the right direction under the leadership of the two principals and Stewart thinks having a full-time superintendent is less needed. Chairman Jeff McCowen affirmed this that based on feedback from the community and students, they should maintain continuity in the administration to keep things going in a positive direction. The rep said there are less candidates available who would take a part-time position but that there are some. The Board will further discuss the search criteria based on the budget.

All previous board positions were retained from 2022 for 2023 including McCowen as Chair and Grant Griffen as Vice Chair. The only exceptions are Griffin will take on the Co-Custodial Negotiations Representative position, which was not designated before, and Zac Fabian will take the Co-Certificated Negotiations Representative position, previously held by Griffen.

Stewart recommended establishing a new protocol for public comment and using a new system for posting meeting agenda and information. He spoke from experience working with multiple school districts and said typically, at minimum, if people want to make comment, they enter their name, contact information and the topic of comment on a sign-up sheet at the meeting. This provides a record of the comments and a way to follow-up with the commenter. The Board favored the change. For meeting agendas and information, Stewart recommended using a document program to post the information. The board policies can also be posted with the system.

Business Manager Jana Eaton reported the ending fund balance for 2022 is $24,000 higher than the required $450,000. Also, grant funding may come in and she is developing a spread sheet for grants that will include allowable expenditures and deadlines for use.

The Athletic Director's (AD) report indicated that Waitsburg has its own new AD, Dirk Hansen, and that Dayton AD Sam Korslund has been communicating with him about division of duties and assets for the remainder of the school year.

Korslund plans to open high school spring sports registration early to assess interest following the dissolution of the Dayton-Waitsburg Combine. He is looking at what is needed for all athletics' uniforms, and he is also working on a preliminary design for new uniforms with plans to seek student input for final design. He specified the need for football helmets and suggested it is more cost-effective to rent them while slowly purchasing them over several years which will also stagger the cost of replacement after 10 years of use.

He anticipates registration for girls' basketball will meet the goal of 12-15 players to start the season on January 4. Middle school wresting is also set to begin that day. One wrestler is joining the team from Waitsburg after Korslund opened it up to them. He also indicated that he is considering supporting the Touchet Valley Little League for MS baseball instead of offering a school-based team saying, "This has been best practice."

Elementary Principal Amy Cox reported that the holiday concert was a big success. Stewart agreed and pointed out there was standing room only in the high school auditorium for the event. Brushes 'n Brix came again this year to provide a holiday-themed painting project for each grade.

The school has continued to use Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) focusing on restorative practices by talking through situations to determine the best resolution including natural consequences. From Character Strong, they have focused on teaching about empathy to students including understanding what it is to "walk in other people's shoes" and utilizing the Bulldog BRAVE code of Bold, Responsible, Attitude, Value, and Empathy.

For the secondary school, Principal Guin Joyce said the Leadership Team has determined the need for regular student advisory time to help ensure students stay on track for success. They would meet with an advisor for a half-hour every week and go over missing assignments and grades.

Other topics will be addressed such as harassment, intimidation, bullying and reporting those, as well as suicide awareness and prevention. The room that was previously referred to as the Recovery Room and the PBIS Room will now be called the Bulldog Room.

The principals and dean are reading the book, "Don't Suspend Me!" by Jessica Hannigan to support staff in the next phase of the discipline process of "to discipline is to teach...using the model of Reflection, Restoration and Instruction...and involving the staff in the conversation of the transition process of a student in an alternative setting back into the classroom."

Stewart said referrals have gone down overall since August and he is witnessing the progress in redirecting and preventing inappropriate student behavior, as well as positive changes in school climate of which both are indicative of student success.