Dayton School Board update

DAYTON—The Dayton School Board held its regular board meeting at 6 p.m. on March 16, 2022. All members were present, Chair Jeffrey McCowen, Aneesha Dieu, Zac Fabian, Grant Griffin, and Korinda Wallace. Superintendent Guy Strot was also present in person, as was student representative Madison Richardson.

The board approved the Consent Agenda without debate.

During public comment, Pearl Dennis suggested the board consider hiring a non-certified superintendent as it appears to be allowed by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). Dennis said the move would open up the position to a much larger applicant pool. It is in practice in the Starbuck and Prescott School Districts.

Dennis suggested averaging the typical salaries of the secondary principal and superintendent to use as the base pay for the newly created superintendent-principal position. She said this was an approach consistent with saving resources.

The Student Board Representative, Madison Richardson, asked students what they would like to share with the board. She read input she had received from a Senior at Dayton.

“While I am glad that the board is being conscious of our District’s financial need, I cannot help but foresee numerous issues following the reduction from three administrators to two. It is no secret that both secondary administrators have very poor reputations with parents, students, and staff. Over the years that they have both been in the District, I have heard possibly hundreds of complaints and generally negative statements and opinions about them, while the amount of positivity that I have witnessed is close to none.

“This statement may have sounded harsh, but it is the truth. Suppose Mr. Strot takes on the position of both superintendent and principal. In that case, many believe that his use of power will become a form of dictatorship, a direct quote I had from many conversations I’ve had with my peers.

“It has been said that Mr. Strot goes about his decisions and proposals without communicating with the staff involved in those changes. A direct example of this is his recent suggestion that there have not been consideration of what electives students want in their schedules. However, the Academic Counselor asks the students this exact question each year. I can personally attest that I have been there for this input multiple times. These are just a couple of concerns that myself and other students have about this possibility. That being said, Mrs. Brown is known to lack disciplinary abilities. It has been claimed that she sometimes disregards, puts off, or tones down on some students’ concerns. In my experience, I felt that she was insensitive towards me regarding a very vulnerable and uncomfortable situation. Both administrators show an apparent lack of compassion toward students.

“These administrators appear to be extremely busy at all times, meaning taking on both positions may be virtually impossible for just one of them to handle. In my opinion, the best course would be to remove both Mrs. Brown and Mr. Strot from the District and bring in a new administrator. Someone with genuine compassion and respect for both the students and their staff, someone with disciplinary capabilities and good character that can work well with others.”

Richardson continued saying she opposed removing Kristine Warren as Academic Advisor. She said her interactions with Brown had been positive and helpful but had less interaction with Strot.

Sam Korslund gave the Athletic Director’s report and said the Spring sports numbers were strong. The remainder of the report concentrated on the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) program offering Pixellot video camera systems. The organization offers two live-streaming cameras for indoor and outdoor sporting events to member schools for free. The program allows its network subscribers to offer live and delayed streaming. More information on the cameras can be found at http://www.pixellot.tv, and the NFHS program is at https://tinyurl.com/2p9yy3a4

Elementary Principal Amy Cox gave her report in which she described the great success of the Title 1 reading night and Read Across America events. During the latter event, Cox was duct-taped to the wall over 1000 pieces of tape by students who earned the privilege by meeting reading challenges. The tape was donated by City Lumber and Dingles.

Kristina Brown gave the Secondary Principal report, which included an update on the activities of the FFA.

Brown focused some of her report on Sonny Mundell, the school’s commercial art and business teacher, and shared some artwork from his students. The High School continues to work on its discipline procedures.

In the superintendent’s report, Guy Strot updated efforts to improve the school’s math scores. He said the K-5 and 6-12 math committees consisting of district teachers, assisted by the regional math specialist from ESD 123, should have recommendations ready to present to the board on June 1, 2022.

Strot introduced Dr. Molly Kreyssler to speak about student engagement in school culture change. She said she hoped to continue meeting with students and staff to work on student retention in the Dayton School District. Her goal is to work with district trainers so the student retention program can continue after she leaves.

After the Superintendent’s and Financial Officer’s report, the Board discussed for some time the policy review, first reading of the following policies:

• Policy 4200 – Parent Access and Safe and Orderly Learning Environment

• Policy 2140 – Comprehensive School Counseling

• Policy 5410 – Holidays

• Policy 2021 – Library Information and Technology Programs

Policy & Procedure 2020 & 2020P – Course Design, Selection & Adoption of Instruction Material

Dieu expressed her opinion that any supplemental material taught in the sex-ed course should be board approved, not just approved by the principal.

Wallace asked to postpone the first reading of policies 4200 and 2140 to be deferred until the next board meeting to give her more time to study them. The board approved two Gear-Up college trips. These are not school-sponsored trips.

The next action item to approve the Superintendent’s Plan involved quite a bit of confusion about what remained for board approval since the administrative reorganization had already been authorized.

The board decided to take each of the superintendent’s recommendations separately, approving the review of the math curriculum. This represented no change as the review is already ongoing.

Dieu moved to table the change in culture recommendation involving hiring Dr. Kreyssler for further investigation. Wallace seconded. The Board voted to table.

The board approved the date for the graduation ceremony for June 4, 2022.

Chair McCowen declared an executive session at 8:30 p.m. to review the performance of a public employee. The meeting adjourned immediately afterward without action at 9:30 PM.

At the conclusion of this meeting, fifty-four percent of the school board’s meeting time for the year has been spent in closed, executive session.