DAYTON - The Dayton School Board met in the Elementary School library at 6:30 p.m. on March 7, 2024. School Board members present were Chair Jeffrey McCowen, Zac Fabian, Aneesha Dieu, and Grant Griffin. Superintendent Rich Stewart was also present.

The school board approved the consent agenda, approving the WIAA Spring Sports Cooperative between Dayton and Waitsburg for the H.S. boys and girls golf and track and field programs. Also on the consent agenda was a leave of absence for an employee, approval of next year's school calendar, and determining snow makeup days for this year's calendar.

The proposal to hire Zac Fabian as an H.S. Girls Softball Assistant Coach was decided on separately from the consent agenda, allowing Fabian to recuse himself from that vote.

Dieu wanted to discuss next year's calendar in more depth, including late starts and early releases and a balanced or year-round school calendar for the future. A balanced calendar would spread school vacations more evenly throughout the year, keeping the same number of school days as the current calendar.

Next, the board listened to a presentation on school testing, focusing on Title I reading data and how it is used to identify students at risk for reading difficulties, monitor their progress, and seek solutions. The test results may also be used to communicate with parents to help implement success strategies.

Following the presentation on testing, the board heard presentations on the elementary school improvement plan. The detailed presentations can be viewed at https://tinyurl.com/2fe33mar.

The board met the previous evening and went into an executive session to discuss the candidates for the permanent superintendent position. Fabian said the community showed a strong preference for one of the three candidates. McCowen said all three candidates were fantastic. Dieu pointed out that 230 people filled out comment forms during Wednesday's community meet and greet.

The board voted unanimously to extend an offer to Jeremy Wheatley for the position, pending contract negotiations.

Finally, the board approved Resolution 2023-05 Reduced Educational Program, which would allow the board to make appropriate cuts in programs, should that become necessary.

The meeting adjourned at 7:59 p.m. The next board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.