The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG—The Waitsburg School Board met July 22 for a regular meeting. The school board is meeting in a hybrid fashion, via zoom and in-person.

Dayton-Waitsburg athletic director Sam Korslund discussed a possible schedule-change proposal, which he presented to the Dayton School Board the week prior. The schedule that the DW Combine Committee had proposed had all indoor sports games played in Dayton, with football and baseball games played in Waitsburg. Korslund acknowledged that he had received some feedback from members of the Waitsburg community that indicated that both parents and athletes wished to have more home varsity games in Waitsburg.

The initial proposed change moved all fall high school sports and middle school football, to Waitsburg, with middle school volleyball games played in Dayton. Winter sports, including boys and girls basketball, would be played in Dayton. Korslund said that gym and court sizes were two of the most significant factors. According to Korslund, Waitsburg’s basketball court is high school regulation size, while the court in Dayton is collegiate.

“I know it doesn’t make much sense,” Korslund said. “We are playing high school ball, and a high school court is more than adequate; however, WIAA recommends the collegiate-sized court.”

He also noted that Dayton’s facility has a third locker room, which could accommodate a visiting team. Spring sports would continue to be split between the two towns.

Korlsund said another option is splitting the seasons between the schools but noted that he had yet to talk to a coach or an athlete that wanted to go that route.

Waitsburg school board members asked where the gate money went, with more games being played in Dayton. Korslund said that he would like to see the money split between the two ASB bodies.

If hosted by a specific group like the FFA, money raised by concessions goes to the FFA, and game night dinners have a history of being very successful fundraisers for student groups. Gate money typically goes to the hosting ASB body.

Board member Ross Hamann shared that not having any varsity basketball games is a hard pill to swallow for the community of Waitsburg.

“I have a hard time explaining to people that we’ve had basketball games for over 100 years, but it’s over now,” he said. “Our community has invested hundreds of thousands of dollars into our facilities; we just put a brand new roof on the gym. I, for one, would like to continue to see varsity events at our gyms. Splitting it so that half of the games are in Dayton and half are in Waitsburg makes sense.”

Hamann explained that he had never observed any issues with seating or space at the Waitsburg events, even while attending Combine events. Other board members echoed his statements.

Korslund said he would continue working towards an equitable schedule, hearing the concerns of the board members.

“We will proceed with the plan for now, but I will keep advancing this conversation,” he said.

Maintenance and transportation supervisor Colter Mohney said that the gym re-roofing project is nearly done, sharing that it was great-quality work.

“It looks clean, it looks good,” he said.

Superintendent Mark Pickel shared with the board that the first day of school for the 2021-22 year will be September 7, with registration occurring the week of August 23. A newsletter will be going out to parents within the next couple of weeks.

New preschool students have been invited to a preschool camp that will coincide with Kindercamp.

The district is currently planning on a full, five-day-week return to school in September. Masks will likely be required for all people, regardless of vaccination status, while indoors. Guidance will be reviewed as the date approaches.

There were no bids on the properties that the school voted to surplus earlier this year. Another call for bids will be advertised in early August. Pickel said that it had been a struggle to get an appraiser out to view the property.

The athletic code of conduct was reviewed and approved, by the school board. The code of conduct presented included changes that were suggested by the board after a long discussion on items that presented a potential legal conflict.

The board reviewed policy readings and exited the meeting for a public budget hearing.