School directors approve changes for approaching school year

DAYTON–The School Board approved the 2024-25 budget and several housekeeping matters as the administration transitions from outgoing superintendent Rich Stewart to incoming Supt. Jeremy Wheatley.

In addition, several personnel items were handled at the regular meeting last week, including Anna Fortier as an Elementary Teacher, Shannon James as the Annual Advisor, and Sam Korslund as Special Education bus driver. They also approved the renewal of spring coaching contracts for Andee Thurston, Mike McGahn, Owen Lanning, Tara Brenner, and Jeff McCowen. The board also approved the resignation of Jamie Trump as the Camp Wooten Camp Director, and the resignation of Wes Harting as a bus driver.

In addition, directors approved two anonymous donations: one in the amount of $215.00 for the FFA, and another in the amount of $1,000.00 for a new pitching machine for high school baseball.

The option of the board to move towards a policy governance policy was again discussed at this meeting. Superintendent Stewart presented a summary to the board with three governance options they could choose from as well as associated cost. His recommendation is to adopt Rick Mahoney's policy governance option. He estimates the cost of implementing it at approximately $25,000. Stewart and Business Manager Jana Eaton are looking for grant options that could cover the expense. If approved, Stewart hopes to start the implementation this summer and expects it to take two years to fully implement.

The board also approved several action items including approving the 2024-25 WIAA membership for middle school and high school, approving the 2024-25 budget, and approving the Athletic Facility grant to be used to fix the football field and track. The action items also included several housekeeping items for the bank to remove Stewart and add Wheatley, and to remove Guin Joyce and add Amy Cox, as both the superintendent and principal roles transition for the next school year.