Dayton School Board study session

DAYTON—The Dayton School Board met for a study session at the high school library at 6:30 p.m. on October 2, 2024. School Board Chair Jeffrey McCowen, board members Grant Griffin, Zac Fabian, Ryan Paulson, Aneesha Dieu, Superintendent Jeremy Wheatley, and Business Manager Jana Eaton were in attendance. The agenda consisted of two primary items: an introduction to the Policy Governance model and a WSSDA Board Self-Evaluation.

Rick Maloney, a partner at Policy Governance Associates, presented how the Dieu asked Maloney why some districts that instituted Policy Governance have since dropped it. Maloney said some districts have switched to other governance models, including Coherent Governance, which he said was almost identical to Policy Governance. Both rely on board self-discipline and comprehensive monitoring. Maloney suggested that a district might drop Policy Governance because of the comprehensive monitoring schedule used to judge the effects of board strategic policies on student performance.

Maloney said a systematic mindset and approach as a board member is a better way to accomplish what is needed on behalf of the community. He said this approach allows the board to relentlessly seek results that may take a long time to see.

Summing up the Policy Governance approach, Maloney quoted General George S. Patton, “Never tell people how to do things, tell them what to do, and they’ll surprise you with their ingenuity.”

The board decided to do the self-assessment online over the weekend and send it to Superintendent Wheatley.