Dan Butler Is New Dayton School Board Chair

DAYTON-At their regular meeting on January 20 the Dayton School Board elected new member Dan Butler as chair, Dave Bailey, vice chair, and Dan Andrews as legislative representative for the 2016 school year.

Voluntary board assignments, based on interest and expertise, were also made at the meeting.

Bailey will act as WIAA representative, Andrews will be on the facilities committee, Butler said he would like to be on the budget and finance committee, and Director Katie Leid will serve on the public relations and community outreach committee.

Superintendent Doug Johnson said that Butler and Andrews are currently on the curriculum committee, but there is no active group. Johnson told the directors that he thinks it is more valuable to purchase lap top computers than to buy books.

Negotiating teams will include Leid and Butler for certified staff, Andrews for classified employees, and Bailey for support staff.

According to Johnson, January is School Board Recognition Month, and Johnson presented the Directors with memento certificates from the Washington State School Directors Association.

"I'd like to thank you for your past and future service," Johnson told the directors.

Johnson also spoke about the Washington State legislative session, which has just begun in Olympia. He reminded board members that Leid and Butler will accompany him to a legislative conference in Olympia, at the end of January.

He also said that meetings with elected officials from the 16th District will take place on Feb. 1, and he will attend those. School funding is to be discussed during that session, particularly the loss of transportation dollars for the 16th Legislative District, he said.

Johnson also told the board that talks continue with the Waitsburg School District for the potential football combine in 2016. He said a joint meeting of the Dayton and Waitsburg school boards is set for Jan. 27 in the Waitsburg Elementary School library at 7 p.m.

Committees from both communities will report on discussions they have had about the athletic combine for high school football, Johnson said. Official action on the combine will likely occur the first part of February, he added.

Paula Moisio, business manager for the Dayton School District, told the directors about some savings she has been able to make on payroll account bank service charges since 2008, when they were $250 per month. There is now a service charge credit balance of $3.51 for last month, she said.

I thought we should take a look at the small things," said Moisio a former banker with AmericanWest Bank.

"It is so encouraging to hear that. Good job." said Director Dave Bailey.

At the conclusion of the meeting the directors approved possible Sunday practices for basketball in February, for post-season play, in light of possible 2nd and 3rd district rounds as was explained by Johnson.