Dayton School board discuss excursion policies

DAYTON – The Dayton School Board met in the high school library at 6:30 p.m. on January 21, 2026. Superintendent Jeremy Wheatley, Board Chair Jeffrey McCowen, and Board Members Pat Davidson, Grant Griffin, Aneesha Dieu, and Ryan Paulson were present.

The board passed the consent agenda, which included hiring Mary Ann Walling as an elementary teacher and Mike Garrett as a high school volunteer golf coach. The consent agenda accepted a book vending machine from the Friends of the Library.

There was no public comment.

Four members of the elementary ASB thanked the board for its service to the school, with cupcakes and by reading a poem they had written.

Elementary Teacher Amber Olson gave a presentation about the school’s English Language Arts (ELA) program, including test scores and methodology. She told the board that the elementary students undergo periodic phonics-based testing to support their learning.

Athletic Director Sam Korslund reported to the board electronically. In his report, Korslund said he was still working on finding an MS/HS Head Track Coach.

Principal Amy Cox gave her report, telling the board that she was reviewing Measures of Academic Progress (MAPS) test results from the elementary school. She recently submitted the school’s Highly Capable Plan to the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The plan supports students who are performing academically above their peers and may need additional support. Also, she said that students in grades 1-5 are taking swim lessons at the YMCA thanks to the generosity of the Friends of the Pool.

The superintendent gave his report, which covered the district’s ELA proficiency test scores. From 2022 to 2024, Dayton students performed at a level of 7, on a scale where 10 is the most proficient. This score is roughly comparable to Pomeroy and Waitsburg and indicates that sixty percent of students are meeting ELA standards.

Wheatley warned that potential State funding cuts may affect the district’s modernization plans, including the bus replacement plan.

The board discussed policy regarding field trips, excursions, and outdoor education. Wheatley said the district’s policy was stricter than the Washington State School Directors’ Association’s (WSSDA) sample policy. When asked by Griffen whether he thought the policy should be revised, Wheatley said no. He said the procedures are strict, but no policy can prevent all lapses in judgment.

Dieu interjected that there should never be only one chaperone on overnight field trips, no matter the number of students, as allowed by current policy. She also said that if there are only two chaperones, they should not be family members, such as husband and wife.

The policy, particularly concerning chaperones, was discussed at length. The board decided to create a form for volunteer chaperones to sign, attesting that they have read and understand all policies and procedures regarding their duties and responsibilities. The board agreed to revisit the topic.

The meeting adjourned for an executive session at 8:07 p.m. to review the performance of a public employee, with no action expected upon its conclusion.