Korinda Wallace resigns from Dayton School Board

DAYTON–School Board accepted the resignation of director Korinda Wallace; heard a briefing on this year's sixth grade Camp Wooten trip by coordinator Jamie Trump; 2023-24 superintendent and secondary principal employment contracts were approved; and other regular department and budget reports during the June 21 meeting.

Wallace has stepped down from the board and the remaining directors approved her resignation and will be advertising for those living in the boundaries for Position No. 1 to submit letters of interest to be interviewed to fill the vacancy.

Camp Wooten Coordinator Jamie Trump gave a presentation about the recent school trip to Camp Wooten. Dayton sixth grade students were joined by others in their grade from Waitsburg and Touchet which brought the group total to 67 campers. They had 13-15 adult helpers and about 16 instructors. The kids participated in classes on predators and prey given by the Department of Fish and Wildlife, as well as on campfire building skills and building primitive shelters. Other activities included archery, fishing, and hiking. Some activities were offered to help build community such as swing and line dancing lessons and campfires with s'mores.

Principal Joyce update on efforts to continue to build up school climate, communication, academic excellence, alternative learning and classroom, class, and club celebrations. Besides the trip to Camp Wooten, she reported on a school assembly on May 19 for Pie in the Face Day where students who earned Bulldog Dollars were given the opportunity to throw a pie in the face of a school staff member or a county deputy. For staff, they set aside time to play cornhole and learn who their secret buddy for the year was.

As for communication, they had three opportunities in May when lockdowns were initiated to use their communication system to inform parents. They also had a meeting after school with staff to go over each event. "We reviewed the feedback during the final Safety Team meeting and will review the Emergency Response Plans at the beginning of the school year with staff," Joyce said.

For academic excellence they offered alternatives for accessing courses to 32 secondary students who met the criteria and completed 44 courses. Similarly, the alternative learning option offered distance learning to another 16 students who completed 53 courses. Graduation provided the opportunity to celebrate 18 students receiving their diplomas. Also celebrated were the fifth-grade students moving up to middle school and the eighth-grade students being promoted to high school.

Other recent events include the middle school band placing first and high school placing second in competition. The construction of the greenhouse was underway during the annual FFA Plant Sale, so they held it in the Ag shop. The eighth-grade drama class preformed another production on June 2. Staff was treated to a potluck on the last day of school – June 6, and they took time to honor those who were retiring.

Head Custodian John Delp discussed plans to start the electrical upgrade in the elementary school the day school released and to be completed by June 26. They began classroom maintenance on June 19 with plans to start boiler repairs and rebuilds on June 24. They are rekeying locks and doors around campus which was completed June 23.

Business Manager Jana Eaton provided a budget status report that indicated $615,000 for the ending cash balance which is well above the required amount. She is working on various grant applications and has recently applied for one that would help fund the sixth-grade trip to Camp Wooten and the fourth and fifth grade ski program.

Next school board meeting is July 5 at 6 p.m.