Board Hears About YEAR-END Activities, New Programs

DAYTON— At last week’s school board meeting the board of directors heard from Superintendent Doug Johnson about the potential for an alternative learning program for Dayton High School students.

Johnson said he has been working with high school principal Paul Shaber, and with school board chairman Dan Butler, to explore some options.

“This is for students who don’t like the activities of traditional education. It will be challenging to meet the needs of a kid who doesn’t engage, or doesn’t want to do school work online,” he said.

Johnson said problems include identifying funding, identifying the population who would be candidates for an alternative learning program, and the new expense generated by moving students into the program.

Johnson said ten to fifteen students with a full year commitment would be the goal.

Johnson also told the directors about recent State legislation requiring all school districts to participate in a Community Truancy Board Program. The goal is to give students with unexcused absences one more opportunity for intervention before they have to appear in court on truancy charges.

Johnson said it will be challenging, because it will take staff time to follow up on unexcused absences, which are few at this time.

High school principal Paul Shaber is working with court officials and is looking for volunteers from the community to create a truancy board, he said.

Johnson also said a budget for the 2016-17 school year for the special education cooperative was approved at their last meeting. He said the co-op provides personnel, and special education expertise for the Dayton School District. Johnson sits on the advisory board for the cooperative, he told the directors.

ASB treasurer Isaac Garcia, and elementary principal Pam Lindsley told the directors about some of their end of the year activities.

Garcia gave a brief report on the academic awards ceremony, the spring sports award, the band concert, and the June 11 high school graduation.

Lindsley reported on the completion of State assessments, the election of elementary ASB officers, and the elementary talent show, which she said was a success.

“It’s fun to see the different kids take part in the talent show,” said Lindsley.

Lindsley also said she and her staff will be partnering with the Summer Youth program to provide a reading program with access to the school library, during that time.