The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Note: There will be only one school board meeting in August, on Aug. 20 at 6 p.m.

Good News in Dayton Schools

Kristina Knebel was selected by her peers as the District 6 Ag Teacher of the Year

Toward the close of the school year, a panel of graduating seniors met with incoming freshmen to share their thoughts on high school, encouraging them to set high goals and take advantage of opportunities.

All K-5 students will eat breakfast and lunch free under a new program

The high school roof project is nearing completion

The budget has been submitted and approved on time

Superintendent’s Report (Doug Johnson)

Budget review/questions – Johnson explained the personnel portion of the budget is in transition due to recent resignations and potential hiring. With the resignation from the MS/HS library position accepted, the District will shift at least some of those funds in an effort to identify and hire a part time elementary secretary.

Day Estate – The District will continue to work with the other beneficiary of the estate, Columbia County Health Systems, on monitoring decisions made by US Trust regarding who is the current trustee of the Day Estate. It has been noted that US Trust has reorganized its Farm and Land Manager who is responsible for communicating/working with the tenant farmer on the estate. The US Trust person responsible is now located in Texas. There is some interest at this time in determining if the trust could be moved to a financial entity closer to Dayton. Superintendent Johnson has been instructed to continue to monitor the matter.

Summer Conference Report – Superintendent Johnson and both principals attended a summer conference held in Spokane. Johnson reported on the speakers that were part of the program including John Medina, the author of “Brain Rules” who works at University of Washington. Breakout sessions attended by Johnson focused on how to mentor, support, and evaluate building principals.

MOU with CCEA – The District entered in an agreement with the teachers association that provided an opportunity for professional development using Ready Math curriculum for grades K-5 and for i-Ready assessment tools. Nine teachers were able to participate.

Facilities - Information regarding a statewide seismic study of school district facilities was recently released. The study was funded by the legislature to learn more about the cost of replacement vs. upgrade of school facilities across Washington. Dayton, lies outside the highest danger zone though its buildings were constructed years before the current earthquake codes were put in place.

The high school roof project has moved along smoothly and the actual roof is complete. There is some work to be done on downspouts and a change order for connecting the downspouts to the drywells. Gillespie will have to do some repairs to the cement sidewalks, grass and sprinkler system before the project is completed.

The elementary and high school are both nearly cleaned and ready for occupancy. John Delp has been doing some finish work on the elementary office and did a remodel in the Special Ed bathroom/shower area to allow for use of a lift for transferring students from a wheelchair to the toilet.

Jim Gallaher completes his career with the District on Aug. 31. He will likely be using vacation days throughout the month of August, working harvest. Tyler Dieu will transfer to Grounds beginning officially on Sept. 1. Candidates for the swing shift cleaning position will begin in the next couple of weeks.

Elementary Principal Position – With the resignation of Denise Smith the District has determined to leave the position unfilled at this time. The Board has asked Superintendent Johnson to find methods of providing support to students/parents/staff during the next year. Looking at enrollment and state funding constraints, this is a good opportunity to see what a different configuration for building and district leadership could look like. The state supports less than two administrators district-wide and the future may require a different look for leadership. Johnson will explore options in the immediate future.

State Patrol Inspection – The State Patrol has inspected all busses and District vehicles that may transport students and found 100% of them to meet the requirements. Thank you to Danon Griffen our Transportation Director/Mechanic and all members of the transportation team.

Levy Discussion – Paula Moisio provided an update on budget status.

Policy Review

There has been some question about board member participation via electronic means. With Board membership currently at only four on two prior occasions members participated by phone in order to have a quorum. Policy and Procedure 1400 does provide the option of electronic participation and was approved in 2018. Superintendent Johnson urged the Board to use this method only on rare occasion and to make it known on those occasions the reason behind the electronic participation.

Action Items

Approved goals for 2019-20 school year

Approved superintendent contract for 2019-20 with a 3% salary increase

Approved CELC bargaining agreement

Approved Resolution 2018-19 Transfer of Funds from General Fund to Transportation Vehicle Fund

Executive session regarding personnel