Athletics making a resurgence among Dayton student-athletes

By Jessica Ruffcorn

Dayton Chronicle Reporter

DAYTON–Dayton Schools' Athletic Director Sam Korslund reported remarkable success in spring sports to the Dayton School Board of Directors at their April 17 meeting.

"Both our baseball and softball high school teams are 99.9% sure going to qualify for district playoffs," said Korslund. "The impact that this spring has had on the kids has been immeasurable. Because as we all know they took plenty of lumps in the fall, more lumps in the winter, and now in the spring to be racking up so wins with our very young teams has been huge for their morale."

Payton Benevides won the WIAA athlete of the week for softball. And Korslund nominated the high school baseball team for the WIAA team of the month. "After starting out 9 and 0, outscoring opponents 92-29, and having a team GPA of 3.52. It's pretty awesome." He said both Track and Golf are also going strong, and the new baseball and softball fields are looking great.

The Board (DSB) approved several appointments for spring sports coaches; the resignation of Terry Lambert; the sports facilities contract; policies update; and May meeting dates changes.

The DSB unanimously approved Adam Puckett as the Middle School baseball head coach, Carlos Norris as the Middle School baseball assistant coach, and Kelly Steinhoff as a Middle School track volunteer.

They approved the resignation of school bus driver Terry Lambert who will retire August 31. In addition, they approved a surplus sale of 78 ski helmets from the 4th and 5th grade ski program.

Elementary Principal Amy Cox said on May 1, the school will host the final event of the year, Cinco de Libro. If the weather cooperates, the event will be outside with many inflatable activities, books, and nachos. Expected attendance is about 300 people. The Scholastic Book Fair is underway. It is a buy one, get one book event with the addition of the PTSO providing one free book of the student's choice.

Secondary Principal Guin Joyce sated March Madness Attendance competition was a success. Each class competed against each other to see who had the best attendance in March. The sixth-grade class came in first, Junior class came in second, and the 7th grade class came in third. "It was a big hit, a lot of kids were calling their friends and saying get to school, it was a good thing to do," said Joyce. All students attended an interactive play called A Little Bit of Magic by the Walla Walla Summer Theater Group that was well done and the kids seemed to understand the meaning behind it and enjoyed it.

The district is considering a one full time superintendent position which will be held by Jeremy Wheatley, and one full time K-12 principal.

Prescott School superintendent Justin Brandford, will help mentor Wheatley.

Superintendent Rich Stewart presented the board with information about the possibility of the board moving to a new model called Policy Governance. "Out of one of the articles I sent it says, the three most important things boards do is write policy, ensure district performance, and connect with district stakeholders. So, he talks about the means and the ends." said Stewart. He would like to invite the author to do a zoom meeting with the board at their next meeting.

Stewart also presented a map to the board that lays out the progress and dates for work on the HVAC system in the different classrooms. He says the project is currently ahead of schedule. The maintenance crew is helping teachers move in and out of rooms as work is done.

The board approved May meeting and work session date changes. Regular meeting is May 8 and work session is May 22.