Dayton School Board discusses new programs, technology

DAYTON – The Dayton School Board held a regular meeting at 6 p.m. on March 1, 2023, in the high school library. All school board members were present in person or by Zoom. Chair Jeffrey McCowen, Grant Griffen, Aneesha Dieu, Zac Fabian, Superintendent Rich Stewart, and Business Manager Jana Eaton attended in person. Korinda Wallace attended using Zoom. 

Scott Underwood, CEO of NexGen Technology Services, the district's technology provider, and Dave Phillips, a teacher at Dayton High School who spearheads technology projects, gave a presentation to the Board.

Phillips said the school is waiting for new security cameras to be delivered. He said the new electronic lock for the high school's front door is being setup and he hopes to install locks on all the doors soon. The electronic locks would allow programmable electronic access codes.

Scott Underwood explained the replacement cycles of equipment including the school's Chromebooks.

Superintendent Stewart said he meets with Phillips and Underwood each month to maintain clear communications between them and the board.

Science Teacher Clint Reser and Secondary School Principal Guin Joyce gave a presentation about the "Open Science" program to the Board. The Dayton School District was recommended by ESD 123 to participate in the pilot program.

Reser said he uses the Open Science program, which is phenomenon-based, with his sixth grade students. The meaning of phenomenon is an observational fact or event. As an example, to teach about gravity, the students would not just read about it, but learn through observation and activities.

Stewart described the program as "not controversial."

Reser said most of the material is open access, so it is inexpensive to implement.

The Board watched a YouTube presentation by Dr. Nikole Y. Hollins-Sims about CharacterStrong. The program was adopted by the Board to improve the learning climate in the district through social-emotional learning and character education.

The Board discussed the video and conducted a brainstorming session on how to improve the efficacy of the CharacterStrong program within the district.

Eaton gave a brief update on the budget process. She said that fluidity of funding by the State makes certainty in the budget process impossible.

Stewart said, the Board should discuss possible program and personnel cuts that may be needed at the next regular meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 7:38 p.m.