School board designates duty assignments

  DAYTON — The Dayton School Board met in the high school library at 6:30 p.m. on December 17, 2025. Superintendent Jeremy Wheatley, Board Chair Jeffrey McCowen, Board Members Pat Davidson, Grant Griffin, and Ryan Paulson were present, with Aneesha Dieu via Zoom. The first order of business was to swear in the three re-elected board members.

With the members sworn in, the board duties were reassigned by vote or affirmation:

•Chair: Jeffrey McCowen

•Vice Chair: Grant Griffin

•Facilities: Grant Griffin, Pat Davidson, Ryan Paulson

•Budget and Finance: Grant Griffin, Aneesha Dieu

•Curriculum: Aneesha Dieu, Ryan Paulson

•Community Outreach and Public Relations: Jeffrey McCowen and Pat Davidson

•Classified Employee Negotiations: Pat Davidson, Ryan Paulson

•Certified Employee Negotiations: Aneesha Dieu

•WIAA Representatives: Pat Davidson, Jeffrey McCowen

•Legislative Representative: Aneesha Dieu.

The board approved the following new hires: Judy Ketterling as MS Girls Basketball Assistant Coach and Assistant HS Softball Coach, Jeremy Trump as HS Head Softball Coach, Krissy Chapman as a volunteer HS Girls Basketball Coach. The resignation of Anna Fortier as an Elementary Teacher was also accepted.

Lucy Trump’s ASB report included recent Project Timothy Food Basket deliveries and plans for Christmas Fun Week.

Wheatley gave the Athletic Director’s report, saying basketball and wrestling competitions have begun. The district is still seeking a combined MS/HS Head Track Coach.

Principal Amy Cox spoke on the School Improvement Plan and the three primary goals identified by the SIP Committee:

Measuring student attendance and extracurricular activities to find ways to foster a positive school climate.

Increasing communication between students, staff, and the community, highlighting activities and academics.

Working to improve English Language Arts (ELA) scores.

Paulson asked Cox if there were areas in which the school was struggling. Cox replied that the school was struggling in science, mainly in the lower grades, perhaps due to emphasis on ELA and math. She expressed hope that a new science program, “Mystery Science,” might improve scores.

Dieu took the opportunity to express frustration, saying, “Understanding that we have catered to the desires of what teachers would like to do for their jobs versus having those teachers step up and do what’s needed for the kids.”

A Zero Emissions Northwest representative spoke about an incentive program available for solar power installion. The program’s funding for this cycle has closed, however, a proposal from the district could place it in line for funding in the future. The board showed tentative support for the proposed project.

Wheatley gave an update on the gym floor repairs. Western Hardwood from Shoreline and Northern Hardwood from Deer Park, submitted bids. Western proposed removal and replacement of the existing flooring, while Northern would install new flooring over the current surface. Both have the same lifespan, with the overlay option from Northern costing less. After a discussion, Wheatley recommended accepting the bid from Northern Hardwood pending a detailed offer, which was approved by the board.

The meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m.