Dayton School Board discuss new hires

DAYTON-The Dayton School Board held their regular meeting on November 17, 2021, at 6 p.m.

This week's board meeting began by conducting interviews with the candidates for the vacant board position. James William Wyant, Jr. removed himself from consideration, so only two interviews were conducted. The board interviewed Bryan Martin for about forty minutes, and Zac Fabian's interview lasted less than 15 minutes.

After the interviews were concluded, the board moved on to approval of the consent agenda, including past meeting minutes, November's bills and payroll, and action on a recommendation to hire Kristi Korslund as the Sophomore Class Advisor. All were approved unanimously.

There was no public comment.

Superintendent Guy Strot read Athletic Director Sam Kolund's report, who was in Waitsburg at the time. The AD reported the completion of fall sports and announced an awards night to be held in Dayton on Sunday, December 5, 2021, in the school auditorium.

In the report, Korslund said 28 boys had turned out for middle school basketball, and their season is underway. High school boys' and girls' practices began the week of November 15. He also reported that they had begun COVID-19 testing of the middle school team on November 15, 2021, all came back negative. At the end of the report, Korslund said he was hopeful the Combine Committee would be ready to hold its first meeting in December.

Elementary Principal, Amy Cox, reported Suzy Butler from Texas replaced Morgan Stone as a teacher. Hilary Wheeler was hired through ESD 112 as a special education director/teacher. She hails from Utah and Idaho. Cox touted the work of the school's new counselor, Caitlin Patterson, who, among other things, is experiencing success with her positive affirmation kits for parents and students.

Cox reported that forty families attended Math Night in the school's Multi-Purpose Room. She said Blue Mountain Counseling donated a buddy bench at the school. A student can sit on the buddy bench if they need someone to talk to or play with. By sitting on the bench, they are inviting others to join them. Board member Fred White asked if the buddy bench was seeing much use. Cox replied that it had positive results as far as she has seen, and the kids liked it. She hasn't heard anything negative about it.

Secondary Principal, Kristina Brown, also advocated for the counselors. Other highlights of her report included a discussion of the Veteran's Day assembly, organized by Jeff McCann, which was student-led and included participation by the band.

Brown also reported that the FFA now has 26 members, which exceeds the goal they had set. The FFA will be selling wreaths and hot cocoa during Dayton's Christmas Kickoff Parade.

In the Superintendent's report, Guy Strot mainly discussed his plan to improve the Dayton School District. He talked of getting valuable data to help the district address the problem with students choosing to leave the district, which will be discussed in greater detail during the December 8, 2021, School Board Meeting. He spoke about the better than anticipated success of the Learning Center. He mentioned the Center for Educational Effectiveness received 36 surveys back from parents who have children that have opted out of the district or are homeschooled.

Board Chair David Bailey opened the second public comment period for the meeting's agenda action items. Aneesha Dieu, board member-elect, requested to comment on a matter not listed as an action item. She said that she could not find the "raise hand" button in time for the open public comment period where her comment would have been allowed. The Board Chair denied her request.

The meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m. for an executive session to discuss the candidates for the vacant school board position.

The meeting reconvened at 8:12 p.m. with Bailey proposing that Zac Fabian be appointed to the vacant position. The board approved the appointment by voice vote. Fabian will be sworn in at the next regular board meeting on December 8, 2021.

In his interview, Fabian stated that he has four young kids and that his work experience includes being a credit union teller for seven years. He is currently employed as a Correctional Officer. The meeting adjourned about a minute and a half after reconvening.