Dayton School board update

Hidden in Plain Sight program scheduled for May.

DAYTON – The Dayton School Board held their regular meeting at 6 PM, April 20, 2022, in the High School Auditorium and on Zoom. All members of the board were present in the auditorium, Aneesha Dieu, Zac Fabian, Grant Griffen, Korinda Wallace, and Chair Jeffrey McCowen. Madison Richardson, the student representative, and Superintendent Guy Strot were also present in the auditorium. Only a few members of the public were present in the auditorium, and fewer than ten were listening in on Zoom.

The board approved the Consent Agenda changing the approval of hiring Des Jones from the Middle School Assistant Softball Coach position as written in the Consent Agenda to Head Coach.

There was no public comment.

Richardson reported that students who attended the town hall on April 13 with Rep. Cathy McMorris Rogers found it “very informative.”

In his report, Athletic Director Sam Korslund announced a new app for DW sports. The new app is designed specifically for the use of athletic organizations. The app, StackTeam is available through Apple Store and Google Play. Previously, some of the communication between coaches and players was conducted over social media, including Snapchat.

Neither principal was present due to other commitments. However, both provided reports on the school website as part of the board package.

The Elementary School Principal, Amy Cox, reported the success of the after-school program, the “homework club,” which is held from 3:10 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday. She also announced the teaching assignments for next year.

Kristina Brown, Secondary School Principal, announced she and Angie Whaley had applied for a grant through OSPI for money to purchase a Social Emotional Learning curriculum for grades K-12. They were awarded thirty thousand dollars and are looking into introducing a curriculum next year.

Also, the Youth and Family Coalition of Columbia County is hosting a presentation on May 12, 2022, called “Hidden in Plain Sight.” It will be an interactive drug education program for parents where a mock teenage bedroom will display some everyday items that can be indicators of drug use or risky behavior. All adults over age eighteen are invited to attend. You may register for the free event at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2022-hidden-in-plain-sight-tickets-322830423487.

Strot said in his superintendent’s report that the district is looking at all-day preschool. This will further be discussed at the May 4, 2022, board meeting.

There was no public comment concerning the Board’s policy review.

The Board adjourned to an executive session to “review the performance of a public employee,” which was announced to be about 45 minutes. Forty-five minutes later, the executive session was extended for another forty-five minutes. After the second forty-five executive session extension expired, the Zoom meeting abruptly terminated at about 8:16 PM without comment.