The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON—After reviewing student participation numbers for fall, winter, and spring sports for both Waitsburg and Dayton, and after much discussion about the pros and cons of combining for additional athletic programs, the DSD Board of Directors approved a motion to go forward with the athletic combine between Dayton and Waitsburg schools.

Board members indicated they would like to move forward with all teams being combined, but would support beginning with the middle school.

Elementary School Principal Pam Lindsley said the logical place to start is in middle school, so that students from both schools can begin building relationships with each other.

She also advocated for keeping sixth-graders out of the sports combines, based on their young age. Sixth-graders could have their own separate sports programs, if the community sees a need, according to Superintendent Doug Johnson. “It’s really what’s best for kids,” Johnson added.

The Waitsburg School Board will meet on June 14, after which both school boards will be able to assess “degrees of interest,” said Chairman Dan Butler.

The Dayton board also approved the Humbert Paving and Concrete Co. bid of $223,014.79 for asphalt work at the bus loading zone and on the elementary playground

In addition, the board agreed to purchase a pilot math program for use in grades 6, 7, 8.

The board also approved holding their meetings monthly rather than bi-monthly. Meetings will take place on the third Wednesday of each month, beginning in September.