Dayton School Board Update

DAYTON-- During the Show and Tell portion of the May 16 school board meeting, Youth and Government Advisor Shayna Hutchens and four of her students talked about their experience at the state capital in Olympia.

The students were also able to explore Seattle, including the waterfront, Pike Place Market and the Seattle Library, before their moving on to Olympia on May 2.

Dayton was the largest high school delegation from eastern Washington, with 18 students attending the youth legislation program. There were 450 students from schools throughout the state, Hutchens said.

Exchange student Mireu Seo said he enjoyed going to the capitol and debating in the Senate chamber. Alex Jenkins said he gained experience as a lobbyist, researching and writing bills, and using the powers of persuasion on the House and Senate floors.

Tatumn Laughery said she enjoyed hearing many differing points of view during her time in the House of Representatives. Kaleigh White said she enjoyed the discussion and debate in the Senate. The “senators” passed legislation legalizing and decriminalizing all drugs, but their efforts failed by two votes in the House.

White said she also ran for governor. “But I lost,” she said.

HS Principal Paul Shaber and Elementary Principal Denise Smith said state assessments are currently underway in the elementary, middle, and high schools.

Shaber said the FFA just returned from state regional competition. He also reported that softball regional tournament and track district meet are upcoming.

Camp Wooten is just around the corner, and Dayton will be joined by students from Waitsburg and Touchet. Eighty campers are expected, he said.

The elementary school staff is looking at a pilot program in English language arts, to be adopted in two years, Smith said. She also reported that elections have been held in the elementary for ASB officers.

In his report to the Board of Directors, Superintendent Johnson said the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction will be offering seven capital grants, and the District is considering applying for as many as five. These include an ADA grant to replace the stair climber unit and all door handles, a career and technical education grant to replace the skin on the greenhouse, a “healthy kids, healthy activities” grant to replace two backstops for PE safety, a “healthy kids drinking water grant” to replace drinking fountains, and a rural repair grant to replace the elementary roof cover in the play area or install a covered area for middle school recess.

Johnson reported that Washington Trust Bank Dayton branch manager Judy Pilcher is a community leadership award recipient and will be recognized at an award ceremony in Richland, for her positive influence on Dayton students through her volunteerism.

“Recently, her work as a teacher in the Junior Achievement program has prepared students to be financially literate. This summer, her work with Kiwanis will culminate with a small group of students making a trip to Washington, D.C.,” said Johnson.

The Board of Directors approved the following High School coaches:

Tara Brenner, volleyball head coach

Roy Ramirez, boys’ basketball head coach

Clayton Strong, girls’ basketball head coach

Ann Adams, cross country head coach

Johnny Watts, baseball head coach

Blaine Bell, baseball assistant coach

Shane Robins, softball head coach

Josh Wilson, softball assistant coach

Johnson said the next Athletic Combine Committee meeting is on June 4, and the selection of coaches is still in progress.

“Once the high school positions are filled for head coaches, we will work with the committee to hire middle school coaches,” he said.

Consideration will also be given to hiring an athletic director for the combine, Johnson said.

The school board accepted the resignations of high school Principal Paul Shaber (see story on Page 1) and elementary teacher Jessika Bannerman, effective at the end of the year. The hiring of Cynnea Schreibman for a teaching position in the elementary school was also approved.