School Board Update

Secondary Principal’s Report:

-Teachers Garrett Leahy and Liv Leid shared about the new grade 7-8 Smarter Balance Assessment Class (SBAC) which was instituted to help students with scores on the Smarter Balance test.

-Teacher Roseann Groom presented the new Attendance Matters program, organized to help prevent student absences and tardies.

-A culture and climate survey will be posted on the district website for parents of high school parents to fill out to help with the school’s engagement review (formerly the accreditation review).

-The sixth grade buddy program will return, pairing 6th graders with high school students to help with the transition from elementary to middle school.

-Homecoming is the week of Oct. 15. Activities will be reduced because of the small size of the senior class. The dance will be hosted by Dayton this year at Running T Ranch.

Athletic Director’s Report:

-There are 17 middle school football players (10 Dayton, 7 Waitsburg), 20 middle school volleyball players and one middle school cross country runner. The high school has 15 cheerleaders, 18 volleyball players, 31 football players and two cross country runners.

-The first DW sports combine meeting is scheduled for Oct. 19 at 6:30 p.m. in Waitsburg.

Facilities/Maintenance/Transportation Report:

-Academy street sidewalks are completed.

-Board approved roughly $160 to install a light for the outdoor basketball court.

-An architect working on the capital improvement projects will be available at the Oct. 11 school board meeting to give an update. There will be a 6 p.m. work session prior to the meeting.

-Board approved the purchase of an ATV with spray rig for $10, 432.28. Maintenance supervisor Colter Mohney had previously been using his personal vehicle.

-Board approved the purchase of a Thomas bus at a cost of $140,039. There is $161,000 set aside in the budget for a bus purchase.

Superintendent’s Report:

-Of a head count of 286 students enrolled, 270.88 are fully funded FTE (full-time equivalent students). The district is losing approximately $151,000 in federal funds due to students attending Running Start, SEA-Tech, and online programs.

-Superintendent Jon Mishra discussed the Professional Development Council. The council is made up of at least two teachers and a paraprofessional from each school building and works to support fellow teachers.

Old Business:

-Board adopted the district wellness policy.

-Board approved an afternoon preschool session (in addition to the current morning session). The additional session will cost the district approximately $30,000.

-ASB members Chloe Pearson (president), Tayler Jones (vice president), Loren Negron (secretary), and Kevin Murphy (treasurer) gave an update on ASB activities. This year’s theme is “Be KIND” with the acronym standing for Kind, Inclusive, Nice and Dedicated.

-ESD 123 Superintendent Darcy Weisner made a presentation to the board regarding the anticipated results of the McCleary Decision, especially as it relates to levies.

-Approved the 2017-18 student handbook.

-Approved administrative designees.

-Approved working agreement with classified staff.

-Approved the resignations of Lynnsey Bailey as middle school boys’ basketball head coach, Ben Christensen as middle school football assistant coach and Laisha White as middle school volleyball assistant coach. Approved hire of Danielle Carpenter as middle school volleyball assistant coach.