School board waits for new superintendent to approve contract

DAYTON – The Dayton School Board met in the high school library at 6:30 p.m. on March 20, 2024. Board members present were Chair Jeffrey McCowen, Zac Fabian, Ryan Paulson, Aneesha Dieu, and Grant Griffin. Superintendent Rich Stewart and student representative Madison Richardson were also present. Jeremy Wheatley, the prospective superintendent, attended using Zoom.

The school board approved the consent agenda, including the senior class trip, two HS band trips, and a GEAR UP spring break trip.

Richardson informed the board about the plans for the annual senior class trip, which is planned by the class. This year, the class chose Coeur d’Alene, and tentative activities include a dinner cruise.

Athletic Director Sam Korslund reported that about 75% of the students participate in one or more of the school’s athletic programs, which is more than twice the national average.

Elementary School Principal Amy Cox described the reading challenge to the board. She said that if each student read for 20 minutes a night and logged their results, they would collectively read 14,000 to 15,000 minutes over three weeks. If the students meet their goal, the school will bring in a dunk tank where they will have the opportunity to dunk Cox.

Guin Joyce, the Secondary School Principal, updated the board about the March Madness Attendance Challenge, where each grade competes for the highest weekly attendance rate, and the bottom two classes will be eliminated. The classes remaining by the end of the month will receive prizes.

In Head Custodian John Delp’s facility report, he said the contractor’s equipment on the parameter of the school property is mostly there in preparation for installing the heat pumps.

The board is waiting for Wheatley’s response to the superintendent contract sent for his review. Stewart said a special meeting may be held during spring break to approve the contract should Wheatley accept it.

Stewart then presented resolution No. 2023-06, asking the board members to approve and sign it before presenting it to Governor Insley. The resolution requests the Governor veto House Bill 2331 and Senate Bill 5462, arguing that Washington is a “local control” state and should not be subjected to state-imposed curriculum modifications.

HB 2331 was approved by the House and the Senate and is waiting for the Governor to act. It modifies requirements for public school instructional and supplemental instructional materials.

• Bars school district boards of directors (school boards) from refusing to approve or prohibiting the use of educational material on the basis that it relates to or includes the study of the role and contributions of individuals or groups that are part of a protected class as established in public school nondiscrimination provisions.

• Requires recommendations of instructional materials committees to include recommendations for culturally and experientially representative materials.

• Establishes new requirements for written complaints about instructional materials.

• Directs school boards to adopt or revise policies and procedures for reviews and removals of supplemental instructional materials and establishes related requirements.

• Directs the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop rules and guidelines related to the instructional materials and supplemental instructional materials provisions.

SB5462 was signed into law before the school board meeting. The bill requires school districts to adopt inclusive and age-appropriate instructional materials that include the histories, contributions, and perspectives of historically marginalized and underrepresented groups, including, but not limited to;

• People from various racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds,

•People with differing learning needs,

•People with disabilities,

•LGBTQ people, as the term is defined in RCW 43.114.010,

•People with various socioeconomic and immigration backgrounds

The Board also approved the renewal of coaching contracts for the fall & winter seasons as follows:

HS Football

Head Coach: Lucas Collier

Asst Coach: Zac Fabian

Volunteer Coach: Jeremy Trump

Volunteer Coach: Cody Chapman

HS Volleyball

Head Coach: Desirae Jones

Asst Coach: Tamira Culley

MS Football

Head Coach: Sam Korslund (will transition to Asst Coach)

Volunteer Coach: Jarrod Culley (will transition to Head Coach)

MS Volleyball

Head Coach: Ajay McNarland

Asst Coach: Wendy Richards

HS Boys Basketball

Head Coach: Clayton Strong

Volunteer Coach: Clay Hutchens

HS Girls Basketball

Head Coach: Jorie Aukerman

Asst Coach: Morgan Poche

Ten policies were also approved by the Board during the meeting.

The meeting adjourned and unless a special board meeting is called to confirm the new superintendent’s contract, the next meeting is scheduled for April 17, 2024.