Dayton School Board Meeting Summary

Show and Tell

Board members received a summary of the training and implementation steps to recreate a highly capable K-12 program in the District. Emphasis is on adopting identification criteria expected by the state and determining project-based activities for those students identified as highly capable. That process will begin this year with assessment in the 5th grade. The board thanked Kirsten Frankie, Jeff McCann, Sara Ortuno and Amber Olson for their work with the program.

Superintendent’s Report (Doug Johnson)

-The District will submit a request to continue the current waiver practice. Three days are used for parent-teacher conferences.

-Supt. Johnson is a member of a committee that will spend 18 months determining what Walla Walla Valley citizens can do to support a more robust education program.

-Names are being gathered for participation in a District-wide facilities committee which will study the current facilities and provide recommendations for upgrade, remodeling and new construction.

Budget (Paula Moisio)

-Supt. Johnson announced that the District will seek to reduce spending next year by $225,000, which is the projected amount needed to balance the 2018-19 budget. Johnson said the amount could go up or down based on potential legislative action. He said the amount is large enough that consideration for cuts to programs and employees are likely. District policy requires that employees be notified by May 15 if they are to be laid off.

Action Items

-The following items were approved: multiple policies, request to close Steve Edwards Memorial Scholarship Trust Fund, 180 day attendance waiver, graduation date and senior trip request, non-matched teacher update, Norgarrd Trust authorization, support for single athletic director to serve Dayton-Waitsburg combine.

-Appointments to Intructional Materials Committee were tabled.

-The DW combine committee asked the board to support the cost of a bus to transport students to sports practices during Spring Break. Motion failed 1-2.