The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON – The Dayton School Board held a work session meeting at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, in the High School library. School board members present were Chair Jeffrey McCowen, Grant Griffen, and Zac Fabian. Korinda Wallace attended on Zoom. Aneesha Dier was absent. Also present were Superintendent Rich Stewart and Business Manager Jana Eaton.

The Board approved the consent agenda, which included approval for an FFA overnight trip to Olympia and the resignation of Carlos Norris as HS Head Wrestling Coach.

Next, the Board listened to a presentation from the two school counselors. Amy Cox, the Elementary Principal, introduced Caitlin Patterson, the Socio-Emotional Counselor, who serves grades K-12, and Kristie Korslund, the Prevention and Intervention Counselor, who works primarily with the HS students.

Patterson said she counsels students who receive a referral from parents or staff. She typically sees six students daily but also takes drop-ins and in crisis situations.

Korslund is employed by ESD 123 to offer services under a contract between the Dayton School District and ESD 123. Korslund can refer students to more extensive services and treatment options beyond the scope of what can be handled in the schools. She works closely with the Coalition for Youth and Families in Columbia County to try and prevent substance abuse by Dayton’s students.

The informational briefing on counseling was followed by an explanation and training for the organization of documents, such as school policies, that the Board uses.

After an hour and a half of covering work session topics, the Board adjourned to an executive session to “receive and evaluate complaints brought against a public officer or employee.” There was no action taken after the ten-minute executive session.