Your Hometown News Source
Your Hometown News Source
DAYTON–Dayton School Board of Directors learned that remote learning will be implemented on March 10 due to possible recovery periods for 18 staff for grades 5-12 who will receive COVID-19 vaccinations on March 9.
To accommodate recovery from the vaccination, Superintendent Guy Strot said the District cannot plan to have enough substitute staff scheduled for school the following day. Grades 5-12 will go to remote learning for the already scheduled half day of school. Students in preschool through grade four will have school in-person, and K-4 will be in school until the scheduled early release time of 12:30 p.m.
Fees for Associated Student Body (ASB) cards, as well as fees for sports participation and gate admission to some games was the topic of discussion for the School Board work session March 3.
School Board Vice-Chair Dave Bailey, who is also on the Dayton-Waitsburg Sports Combine Committee, suggested that Dayton School District should do as Waitsburg is doing by waiving all fees for student ASB cards, sports participation, and all gate admissions. Strot plans to check with the both the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association and the Waitsburg School District to verify their policies, but the Board agreed that because of the combine, a uniform policy between the schools would be desirable.
Bailey stated that 60% of the student body can already be exempt from sports fees because they qualify for free and reduced lunch. However, not every family who qualifies actually participates in the food program because it can be perceived as charity by some. He suggested it seems fair to waive fees for all students and more cumbersome to track who gets free admission into games and who doesn't. Also, Bailey thinks, waiving the admission fees for games would encourage game attendance.
Board Chair Katie Leid countered that if there are fees for athletics then it could bring out more of a commitment from students and families.
If the Board votes to waive the ASB related fees starting next school year, fundraising efforts could help in making up these fees so that the general fund isn't reduced. The Board said they would want student and advisor feedback about a possible increase in fundraising.
The proposed 2021-22 school calendar has only one snow make-up day for March 4, 2022. The Board discussed adding more snow days or defer to remote learning if there is more than one day of school closure. The Board preferred remote learning.
