The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON- A special meeting has been scheduled by the Dayton School District Board of Directors on Aug. 1, to reveal the district's choice for the position of elementary principal. At a meeting held on July 18 in the high school auditorium, the three candidates spoke to the public about their education, experience, hopes, and aspirations for the position.

All three of the candidates emphasized the importance of building relationships, team building and collaboration, and achieving a safe, welcoming school environment for staff, parents and students. All of them believe in student accountability. All of them have experience with children with special needs, with Title I, and the multiage classroom model and two were knowledgeable about Adverse Childhood Experiences.

Laura Hersey is a 25-year classroom teacher. She has a master's degree in Education, Curriculum and Instruction from Eastern Washington University, a bachelor of science degree, elementary education endorsement, special education, and a minor in psychology. Hersey earned her principal certificate from EWU in June, 2003.

Hersey is the developmental preschool coordinator and teacher at Blue Ridge Elementary School in Walla Walla. She has been a learning specialist, is familiar with Title I, LAP, and special education, and has been an autism coordinator, and life skills resource room coordinator.

Hersey, who lives in Prescott, said she likes the idea of being part of small town community life.

About the school environment, Hersey said, "You need a positive atmosphere, if you are going to learn."

Denise Smith is a 22-year classroom teacher who has earned a master's degree in special education, a bachelor degree in arts, education. Smith has a K-12 special education endorsement, K-12 reading endorsement, and K-8 elementary endorsement. She was on track to earn her principal certificate in June, 2017, from Whitworth University.

Smith is serving as summer school coordinator for the Deer Park School District, and has experience with Title I. She has taught special education K-6, grades 1, 2, and grades 1 / 2 multi-age, grades 1 / 2 teacher, and grades 1 / 2 looping teacher.

"I'm a relationship builder. I like to get to know strengths and build on those strengths," she said.

Smith emphasized the role of teaching students how to be safe, responsible, respectful, and accountable.

Smith said she likes the "homey" atmosphere in Dayton.

Linda Boggs has a doctorate in Education leadership from Washington State University, a superintendent credential from EWU, and a master's of arts in education, and a bachelor's of arts in education from EWU.

Michele Smith

Linda Boggs

Boggs retired as assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction and assessment, for the Walla Walla School District three years ago. She was the Blue Ridge Elementary Principal and Head Start/ECEAP director from 1995-2005.

Boggs said she is familiar with Superintendent Doug Johnson, high school/middle school Principal Paul Shaber, and former Elementary Principal Pam Lindsley through some of the workshops they have attended and some of the problems facing the District. Boggs is a coach for districts working with the Washington Leadership Academy.

"I loved watching Pam work with Paul and Doug," she said.

"I attended the community meeting in January," said Boggs who was seated at the "kids' table", she said.

"I would like the opportunity to continue the work Pam started, and the team started," Boggs told those in attendance.