Dayton Board discuss graduation path and drug testing changes

DAYTON — The Dayton School Board met in the high school library at 6:31 p.m. on January 3, 2024. School Board Chair Jeffrey McCowen and members Zac Fabian, Aneesha Dieu, and Grant Griffin were in attendance. Interim Superintendent Rich Stewart was also present.

The board approved the consent agenda, which consisted of one item: the hiring of a full-time night custodian.

Only two other topics were on the agenda for this evening’s meeting. The board was to conduct the first reading of several policy changes, and the superintendent was to give his report. There were no remaining action items.

The policy changes were primarily due to state law changes, including different graduation pathways. The state has reinstated work experience as a path to graduation, and board members discussed the district’s policy extensively.

They also discussed employee drug testing for cannabis use after work hours and off-campus. Testing is no longer legal except for school bus drivers and employees exhibiting impaired behavior at work.

During the interim superintendent’s report, Stewart spoke at length about the superintendent’s search. He reiterated the challenges of finding a new superintendent, comparing small districts like Dayton with large ones like Seattle. Stewart and the Board discussed the methodology for selecting finalists for the job and the interview process, the confidentiality of applicants’ identities before the final selection, and whether the district should cover travel expenses for interviews and moving.

The meeting adjourned at 7:34 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.