The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON—Like dozens of rural districts across the state, the Dayton School District is scrambling to build a budget based on worse-case scenarios in the face of uncertain state funding. At an April 10 special meeting, the school board unanimously adopted Resolution 2018-04 which declares that the school is facing a financial emergency and allows for a reduction in staff, if needed.

Superintendent Doug Johnson explained that the district is facing a potential 2019-20 funding shortage and is considering budget reductions of at least $225,000 as a result of McCleary decision impacts. While several...