The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON – The Dayton School Board met in the high school library at 6:30 p.m. on November 1, 2023. School Board Chair Jeffrey McCowen, members Zac Fabian, Aneesha Dieu, Grant Griffin, and Interim Superintendent Rich Stewart were present.

After approving the consent agenda, the Board interviewed Ryan Paulson for the vacant School Board position. Paulson was the only applicant and answered several questions from the board members. The Board approved Paulson’s appointment after an executive session. He will be sworn into office at the next meeting scheduled for November 7, 2023, at 7 p.m. Paulson is the Public Works Director for the City of Dayton.

The Board discussed the administrative model for the school district following the planned departure of Stewart next year. A decision is necessary before the board can begin the search for Stewart’s replacement.

Washington State does not allocate adequate funds for a full-time superintendent and two full-time principals for districts with Dayton’s enrollment. The current model is for a part-time superintendent, two full-time principals, and a dean of students. The Board discussed an alternative with a full-time superintendent, a single K-12 principal, and a dean of students.

Part of the discussion was whether a search firm should be hired and what its duties be. Stewart suggested a search firm’s responsibilities be limited to background checks on candidates and perhaps assisting in contract negotiations.

At the end of the public meeting, the Board approved seeking a full-time superintendent to serve with a full-time K-12 principal. In addition, the Board will conduct its superintendent search without using a search firm.

Though not discussed at the public meeting, the change to the administration would affect the two principals. It is possible that the Board is considering one as the K-12 principal and the other superintendent.

The meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m.

The next Board meeting will be Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at 5 p.m., where the discussion topics will be to determine a potential Capital Levy amount and to prioritize facilities projects.