Dayton Schools Facilities Projects Completedschool

DAYTON - The facilities of the Dayton School District received a series of updates, including a new track sur­face, flag and a new roof for the lawnmower shed.

Superintendent Doug Johnson ran down the list of completed projects at the school board meeting on Wednesday, July 25, as the board and administra­tors said they look forward to further improvements.

The largest project was the recent completion of the track resurfacing. It took about a week and came in at about $43,000 and was funded by a capitol project levy passed in 2010.

"The track is done," John­son said. "It's all repainted and looks great."

Johnson said the lawn­mower shed roof was put on and a flag the Alumni As­sociation purchased for the gym was installed.

Johnson said the flag rolls up and down so it can be used before games and be put away during games.

Maintenance Supervisor John Hutchens said he also repaired the hot water heat­ers and the gym floor was refinished, which has been started although all students, staff and visitors are required to remain off of the floor until Aug 13.

"(After refinishing) the floors will be off limits until the 13th," Hutchens said. "Period. No exceptions."

Hutchens also suggested roof repairs be added to the list of long-term repairs that need to be made.

"If I had to pick one proj­ect that has to get done in the next couple years hellip; it would be that roof on the high school," Hutchens said. "Bond or no bond, it's going to have to be done."

Hutchens said there are places on the roof where it has about one inch of give. He this makes the water pools on the flat areas on the roof because the drains are higher.

Johnson said there is still some potential work that could be done on sidewalks and gates around the school. He said some young students are finding it too easy to slip out of the yard during recess and the gate repairs would help keep students safe.

Johnson also presented his completed strategic plan to the board for review. The plan touched on full-day kindergarten, a recurring topic among the board and parents. Johnson stressed the importance of students and families filling out their free and reduced lunch forms this year.

If Dayton School District had 58 percent of students qualifying for free or reduced lunches, the state would pro­vide more funding that would include funding for full-day kindergarten.

Johnson said he under­stands that some people do not like to fill the forms out, but it will be important this year so the district can re­ceive the extra funding.

Had there been no changes to how the state determines qualification for free and reduced lunch, the district would have qualified for the state funding.

"So, barring any issues, we should have state-funded all-day kindergarten in 2013- 2014," Johnson said. "We need to encourage people to fill out their free and reduced lunch forms because that is how we qualify."

The strategic plan is still under review and will be back up for approval on Aug 15.