School Board member Justin Jaech resigns

DAYTON-The school board approved the resignations of Board member Justin Jaech, kindergarten teacher Morgan Stone and the fulfillment of State mandated vaccinations, the development of the district’s mission statement and other action items continued from the meeting on September 20.

The board approved the resignation of fellow Board Member Justin Jaech. The Board intends to fill his District No. 2 position within 90 days. Strot told the Board he has already been approached by a few who are interested in the position and the district will advertise to fill it. When ready, the Board will interview candidates. Whoever is chosen would have to decide if they want to be put on the ballot for the November 2022 election.

The Board also approved the resignation of kindergarten teacher Morgan Stone who is currently on maternity leave with a substitute in place until November 1. Strot said Stone’s husband accepted an opportunity out of the area which they couldn’t refuse. “It’s certainly a loss for the district,” said Strot.

An update was also provided by Strot to the Board about the status of vaccinations that 68 of the 70 District staff have either been vaccinated or have been approved for exemption. This does not include substitute teachers, volunteers or coaches. The two staff remaining have not communicated their intent to request an exemption but they don’t intend to receive the shot according to Strot. Volunteers are asked to fill out exemptions if not already vaccinated. There are two substitutes active in the district who have not been vaccinated that may request exemption.

Currently, fall coaches are in compliance. Board member Fred White asked who approves the exemptions. Strot said that he is the only one reviewing and approving exemptions. Strot met with Superintendents of Pomeroy, Waitsburg and Prescott to review the State exemption form and agreed on offering the same accommodations which he specified did not require weekly testing or extra masking.

The District Strategic Plan was discussed which included refining the Mission Statement and possibly establishing a theme of Four Pillars of Communications: Trust, Leadership and Behavior. The Board reviewed several plans from other districts as provided by Strot and decided on one that best represented Dayton’s goals. The plan would include providing easily accessed data on the current website to students, parents, staff and the community showing various measured progress of students in the district overall.

Also, as part of the plan, the district will contact parents who chose to unenroll their children from the district to request information about the reasoning behind the decision. Board Member Jeffrey McCowen suggested that in some cases, people would answer more honestly if the option to remain anonymous would be included.

The Plan will be on the agenda for October 20 for further discussion and to propose changes.