Dayton School Board hears from students

DAYTON – The Dayton School Board met in the High School Library at 6:30 p.m. on September 17, 2025. Superintendent Jeremy Wheatley, Board Chair Jeffrey McCowen, board members Pat Davidson, Grant Griffin, and Aneesha Dieu were present. Public Works Director Ryan Paulson joined the meeting an hour late due to a power outage affecting much of the city.

As the first order of business, Wheatley swore in Jaelynn Chapman, a junior, as the student representative to the school board.The personnel report included the following hires:

Elementary ASB Co-Advisor Jami Rushing

Elementary ASB Co-Advisor Darby Souza

Vocational Director 2025-2026 Jeremy Wheatley

Annual Advisor Shannon James

Head MS Volleyball Coach Dave Phillips

MS Assistant Football Coach Pat Davidson

ECEAP Coach Alyssa Laib

McKenna McCowen, representing the ASB, gave a report that included the Homecoming Week dates from October 13 to October 17, and the dance on October 18, 2025. She said events planned for the week include PJ Day, Neon Day, and School Spirit Day.

Athletic Director Sam Korslund gave the fall sports participation numbers:

• HS Football – 22

• HS Volleyball – 13

• Cheer – 9

• MS Football – 20

• MS Volleyball – 16

The physical education teachers, Ajay McNarland for secondary school and Clayton Stronge for elementary school, gave overviews of their classes and teaching philosophies.

Student Rep Chapman gave student reactions on the district’s revised no-cellphone policy. Initially, most students were pretty upset about the new policy, she said. Since implementation, she said communication in classes and between people has increased. She said students are getting used to the revisions, and Chapman has yet to see a student’s phone taken away

Principal Amy Cox also confirmed in her report the lack of cellphone violations since the school year began.

The public meeting adjourned for an executive session to review a complaint against staff or programs and to discuss the qualification of an employee.

The board returned to its regular meeting and declared the complaint was resolved. Next, the board approved Wheatley as the District’s Vocational Director.

The meeting adjourned at 8:59 p.m.