Dayton School Board discuss sports and policy

DAYTON — The Dayton School Board met in the high school library at 6:30 p.m. on September 18, 2024. School Board Chair Jeffrey McCowen, board members Grant Griffin, Zac Fabian, Ryan Paulson, Superintendent Jeremy Wheatley, and Business Manager Jana Eaton were present. Aneesha Dieu attended online.

The board approved the consent agenda, which included some administrative items and a recommendation to approve the donation of school supplies from the College Place Walmart.

The ASB Treasurer, Tristan Rennaker, presented the ASB Report to the board. He said the Dayton High School’s Homecoming Week is scheduled for October 7-11, 2024. The Club was chosen as the venue. The homecoming dance will be on October 12, and the theme is “Enchanted Forest.” Lila Hutchens, the student representative on the school board, gave her report. She discussed leadership projects, including the Adopt a Freshman Program and a streamed Bulldog Bulletin project to disseminate news to students every Monday morning.

Hitchens said the football team beat Yakima Nation Tribal Eagles, 94 – 0, in its first home game. The varsity volleyball team also won its first game against Colton High School.

Sam Korslund submitted the athletic director report in writing, which included the following participation numbers:

HS Football: 11

HS Volleyball: 17

HS Cheer: 10

MS Football: 13

MS Volleyball: 24

The report addressed rescheduling due to a statewide shortage of officials. Korslund asked that the athletes and parents be patient and understanding.

Amy Cox, the K-12 Principal, said she is working hard to make the Dayton schools a K-12 school. She said the year’s School Improvement Goals for all grade levels will focus on academic achievement, culture, and safety.

Superintendent Jeremy Wheatley praised Cox for rising to the challenge of a K-12 principal. Wheatley said it was a “heavy lift, but she’s the right person for the job.”

He said the district will hold its first Key Communicators meeting on Friday, September 27, 2024. Wheatley said Rick Maloney would begin work on the policy governance in early October and later in December. Rich Stewart introduced the policy as a board management method before he departed from the Superintendent position.

The board approved two action items, the Carl D. Perkins Grant Assurances and the FP 219 Program Applications for bilingual student support.

There was no executive session, and the meeting adjourned at 7 p.m.