Dayton School Board Vacancy

DAYTON-School is back in session and the Dayton School District Board of Directors had their first meeting of the new school year last week. All board members were present, with the exception of Dan Andrews, who has resigned from the board.

Student enrollment in September was 392 FTE, slightly higher than budgeted, said Superintendent Doug Johnson.

Business Manager Paula Moisio said the District had a successful 2016-17 school year and the goal going forward is to make sure reserves stay strong and that financial decisions are well informed.

Superintendent Johnson shared a Power Point presentation with the board and public at the meeting, of the large number of capital improvements that were made over the summer months.

"It is much cleaner up front, and more welcoming," said Johnson.

Benches, planters and shrubs, trees, and a garbage can are new to the front of the high school, and the addition of bark and new paint has been added on the gym side. Benches have been replaced between the high school and the gym.

Work was done on the elementary grounds to install a new dry well, and fix two others, and asphalt was placed along the sidewalk. The playground stairs were improved, and a handrail installed.

The sidewalk at the preschool access was replaced, and a ramp installed for a service area.

Stair safety into the multipurpose room was improved with the addition of handrails.

The parking lot at the bus loading zone was improved with asphalt, and additional parking spaces created.

Water drainage safety was improved at the bus loading zone with the installation of dry wells and a new roof gutter system.

"Hopefully, this will reduce, significantly, the amount of ice melt we have to put down," Johnson said.

Both gym floors were waxed and bleacher improvements were made at the athletic field, and handrails installed.

Improvements were made to the Bus Garage restroom and a new door was installed between the greenhouse and the classroom at the Ag Science Building.

Two portable fume hoods have been purchased for the welding stations.

The elementary computer lab has new tables. Wiring has been improved, and the teacher's work station is now connected to the projector.

The middle school sisplay case has been improved, thanks to ASB advisor Jeff McCann.

The garbage truck box frame has been rebuilt and the heating tube at the oil tank fill tube has been stabilized.

Johnson ended his presentation with special thanks to the maintenance team, Mr. Shaber, and the county taxpayers for supporting these projects.

Johnson said a recent audit of the mechanical systems, along with some actual breakdowns, have made the district take a hard look at using capital projects funds to replace or fix three boilers, a hot water heater, and check into improving the campus-wide control system. He will have a recommendation at the October meeting.

Johnson said notices were sent to parents, via Flash Alert, explaining how air quality monitoring took place during recent fire/smoke days. Outside-times for students were shortened or cancelled accordingly, he said.

Also Johnson said the district has emergency plans in place, including lockdowns and evacuation plans.

"Plans are adjusted each year as suggestions are made to improve the process. A new policy enforced by the state includes practicing one of the emergency drills each month. The district will continue to stress the importance of safety to students and employees," he said.

High school principal Paul Shaber discussed the new Employability Index, which was designed by the secondary school staff to aid students in understanding, and putting into practice, the skills needed to become good employees.

Shaber said, in addition to letter grades, students will receive an additional score for soft skills such as handing in completed homework on time, leadership skills, and attendance.

"It will be a conversation starter for us," Shaber said.

The high school ASB held its first grades 6-12 ASB meeting, with the idea of connecting students to the ASB, Shaber said.

Homecoming activities will now be split between fall and winter quarters in order to allow for a set amount of time that students are out of their classes. This plan will be less stressful and will be a better deal for teachers, Shaber said.

Elementary principal Denise Smith said Back-to-School Night was successful and the multi-purpose room was packed.

She said the elementary teachers have begun the first round of STAR assessments.

TITLE and LAP teacher interventions are now being planned and implemented.

"We're rolling to get the kids support in reading and math," she said.

Students will receive personalized T-shirts with the number of laps performed in the upcoming Walk-A-Thon, Smith said.

Board Vacancy

School Board Director Dan Andrews has resigned from the board in order to allow another member of the community to participate on the board, according to Superintendent Doug Johnson.

Any registered voter in Columbia County, who lives within the school district boundaries, may apply for the at large position recently vacated by Andrews.

The term runs until November of 2019. Applications will be accepted at the district office and by mail, or by email, by 4:00 pm, on Fri., Oct. 13.

The board of directors will interview candidates for the position at the next regular board meeting on Wed., Oct. 18.

The application can be viewed at: http://www.daytonsd.org/images/districtinfo/policies/1000_S/1115F.pdf For more information contact Superintendent Doug Johnson at (509) 382-2543, or by email at: dougj@daytonsd.org.