Elementary Principal Resigns

DAYTON – Dayton Elementary School Principal Pam Lindsley has accepted a job in the Spokane School District, which is closer to her home and family, Superintendent Doug Johnson said at last week’s school board meeting. She has resigned as of June 30.

Johnson said, “I’m going to miss her. She’s done an outstanding job.”

Job postings have gone out, and Johnson said he hopes to have a qualified applicant hired by July 10.

“I hope I get as lucky, as I did with her,” Johnson said about Lindsley’s credentials.

The Dayton School District has several other staffing and classroom changes for the 2017-18 school year.

Jessika Bannerman, who has been teaching sixth grade in the Walla Walla School District, was approved to teach fourth and fifth grades. Tracy Pearson has been hired to teach Wood Shop and Ag Science, and Susan Stege has been hired to fill the new K-12 School Counselor position. Amy Allen was approved for the Class of 2021 Advisor.

The elementary schedule will again include multi-age classrooms in grades 2/3 and 4/5, Johnson said. Right now there are 22 students registered in Kindergarten. If enrollment grows to 26 or more, there will be two Kindergarten classrooms.

Johnson said the multi-age classrooms have provided for stable class sizes of around 23 students, and stable teacher assignments over the last three years. He said the District will continue to support the teachers with strategies geared to help meet the needs of all students in their classrooms.

There will be two classrooms of first graders only, Johnson added. He also said there is an open position in ECEAP/Pre-School Special Education.

“The District wishes to thank John Lindsey, Charlene Waltner and Pam Lindsley for their service to Dayton students and the community,” Johnson said in his report.

Johnson said the District will offer two periods of Alternative Education Experience for high school students who are looking for an option other than attending all day classes, and graduating in four years.

Projected enrollment in Dayton schools for the purpose of budget development stands at of 382 students, Johnson said.

Part of the District’s overall plan is to create more academic opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), Johnson said. To that end, Middle School teacher Clint Reser will attend training in Spokane this summer to prepare him to teach a course titled “Medical Detectives” to seventh and eighth graders.

The District’s budget is on track for this year. The ending fund balance will likely be higher than budgeted, due to the higher than expected enrollment, according to DSD Business Manager Paula Moisio.

It is possible that some smaller maintenance projects could be undertaken with excess funds, Johnson said.

There will not be a full combine for sports beginning in 2017-18 due to the lack of support from District 9 1B schools. The board approved the formation of a committee with representatives from the Dayton/Waitsburg School Districts to prepare for a full combine for sports beginning in 2018-19.