Dayton School Board approved placing levies on ballot

DAYTON — The Dayton School Board met in the high school library at 6:36 p.m. on December 6, 2023. School Board members present were Chair Jeffrey McCowen, Zac Fabian, Aneesha Dieu, and Grant Griffin. Superintendent Rich Stewart was also present.

Matthew Smith, who briefed the Dayton City Council on the Community Needs Assessment the previous evening, gave essentially the same briefing to the school board.

The board turned its attention to EPO (Educational Programs and Operation) Proposition 1 and Capital Levy Proposition 2.

The EPO would fund extracurricular activities, including athletics and custodial activities. The cost to property owners would be about $1.42 per $1000 valuation.

The capital levy would fund a long list of needed projects such as technology, security, a new gym roof and floor, and others. This levy would cost property owners about $1.50 per $1000 valuation.

The district will not be asking for a bond for capital improvements. Both levies would appear on the February 2024 ballot.

The resolutions to put these levies on the ballot were approved unanimously by roll-call vote.

The board was set to approve the appointment of citizens to committees, both for and against each of the levies. These committees would draft arguments to be included in the voter information booklet mailed before the election. Since no citizens volunteered to be on the four committees, there will be arguments in the voter information booklet.

The board approved the surplus of a 1974 Ford pickup owned by the district.

Stewart led a discussion on requirements for a new superintendent, including 225 working days a year. Stewart said they wanted a well-rounded individual with a lot of experience. McCowen said he valued the idea that the superintendent lives in the district.

The board members considered enticements for candidates to live in the district. Ideas were discussed and brainstormed for more than half an hour.

Stewart announced that Sam Korslund had been elected as Athletic Director of the Year in District 9 by his peers.

The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. The next board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, December 20, 2023, at 6:30 p.m.