Dayton Schools restructuring administrative workload

DAYTON - The Dayton School Board met in the High School Library at 6:32 p.m. on August 19, 2026. Superintendent Jeremy Wheatley, Board Chair Jeffrey McCowen, and Board members Ryan Paulson, Pat Davidson, Aneesha Dieu, and Grant Griffin were present.

As its first order of business, the board approved the consent agenda, which included the approval of the last meeting's minutes, accounts payable and payroll, the personnel report, the Perkins Grant Assurances for the next school year, and approval of a $2,000 donation to the FFA Chapter from NW Grain Growers. The personnel report listed only three resignations: Joe Howard as MS Girls Basketball Coach, Stacy Startin as bus driver, and Darby Souza as Elementary ASB Advisor.

Wheatley said that the day before the meeting, all the staff returned to work and conducted training. The new staff members were welcomed during this training:

• Beth Pruiett – Special Education Teacher

• Shawney Garbe – Special Education Paraprofessional

• John Williams – Special Education Paraprofessional

• Carrie Abel – Special Education Paraprofessional

• Tawnya Johnson – Fourth Grade Elementary Teacher

• Chris Farrell – Groundskeeper

• Brooklyn Laughery – Student Teacher

Wheatley said the theme for the coming school year is collaboration, culture, and controlling what we can, while managing what we cannot.

Wheatley spoke about redistributing the workload for the administrative staff, including tasks once performed by Suzi Tasker, who resigned at the end of the last school year. For example, Shannon James will be handling communications, including the website.

The board discussed with Wheatley the hiccups, snags, and advantages of the new version of Skyward, which was just implemented. Skyward is the software that runs the school system, from accounting to student grades and attendance.

The board approved the dairy and heating oil/fuel bids for the next school year.

Wheatley led a discussion on strategic planning, debriefing what had been discussed during the board's retreat.

The board decided that strategic plan training would be essential and directed Wheatley to request bids from providers to conduct training.

The meeting adjourned at 7:49 p.m.