Dayton School Board update

DAYTON – The Dayton School Board met for their regular meeting at 6 p.m., September 21, 2022. Present in the high school library were board members Zac Fabian, Jeffrey McCowen, Korinda Wallace, Grant Griffen, and Superintendent Rich Stewart. Aneesha Dieu arrived about 20 minutes into the meeting. Participation was also available on Zoom.

Grace Trump gave the ASB report, including a summary of Homecoming activities.

In his report, Combine Athletic Director Sam Korslund said thirty-six girls are participating in high school volleyball. All are competing at the varsity level. Since only six players can be on the floor at a time, the players have been split into two teams; each team is divided into two squads.

The two varsity teams have independent game schedules. The reorganization will provide more playing time in competitive games for all players.

Registration for winter sports has not opened yet. Students who have already registered this year do not need to do so again; they only need to express their interest in a sport by e-mail to the athletic director.

Korslund is investigating if there is student interest in forming a wrestling team this season.

In her report, Elementary School Principal Amy Cox updated the Board on the school’s implementation of the PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) team. A modified version more appropriate for upper-grade levels is being implemented in the Secondary School.

The PBIS team developed a new slogan, “Bulldog “Brave,” which has been displayed throughout the school. BRAVE stands for “Bold, Responsible, Attitude, Value and Empathy.” Cox plans to have assemblies next calendar year to highlight students who exemplify the BRAVE traits.

Cox expressed kudos to the school counselor and asked the Board to consider hiring a second for the secondary school since the current counselor is stretched handling the entire district.

The Interim Superintendent reported that the Dayton schools no longer require staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Stewart spoke about improving technology to address various issues, including reducing paperwork for parents each year. He suggested installing a card-lock system on one door as a test to better control access to the school buildings.

The Board approved the replacement of a heat exchange tube bundle, changed the adult prices for school lunches, and approved some administrative items.

The Board decided to hold a Board retreat following their work session on October 5. The work session would be an hour, followed by a two-hour retreat to work on the strategic plan.

The Board went into an executive session to discuss a complaint against an employee at around 7 p.m. returning and adjourning the meeting at 7:25 p.m.