Dayton School Board continues Superintendent search

DAYTON – The Dayton School Board held a work session meeting at 6:30 p.m., November 2, 2022, at the Dayton High School library. All school board members Chair Jeffrey McCowen, Grant Griffen, Korinda Wallace, Zac Fabian, and Aneesha Dieu, were present. Also present was Interim Superintendent Rich Stewart.

The work session’s agenda did not allow for public comment.

K-12 Dean Hannelee Farrell briefed the board members on the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program, which the district has implemented. PBIS focuses on consistent expectations, consequences, and utilizing restorative practices.

Farrell updated the Board on the number and outcome of discipline referrals during the first two months of this school year. Although it is too early to gauge the effectiveness of the PBIS program, Farrell’s data showed a drop in referrals from September to October by nearly half.

High School students Grace Trump and Hudson Reeser recorded a video asking the school board district leaders a series of questions during the meeting. The students will present the video to their leadership class as an introduction to the roles and personalities of the district leadership.

Stewart updated board members on the search for a permanent superintendent to replace him at the end of the year. He recommended maintaining the superintendent as a part-time position with the elementary and secondary principals as full-time. Stewart was hired as an interim superintendent and will leave the school district at the end of this school year.

The school district has begun its search for a new superintendent. Stewart has contacted two executive recruitment firms, McPherson & Jacobsen, LLC, and Northwest Leadership Associates, to assist in the search. The district will schedule a special meeting before the regular meeting on November 16, 2022, to interview the firms and select one to head the search.