Dayton school board approves contracts, hydroponics pilot and rehiring of district treasurer

The Dayton City School District Board of Education on Sept. 16 approved a package of superintendent recommendations and ratified several contracts, including a hydroponics program that will let students grow produce for school cafeterias, and unanimously approved a resolution to rehire treasurer Hubert Abraha.

Associate Superintendent Minor presented the superintendent’s recommendations and asked the board to approve items B through G. Board Member Walker moved to approve the package; the motion was seconded by Board Member Reiner. The board approved the superintendent recommendations; the clerk announced the motion carried (tally reported at the meeting as five yeses and one abstention on that specific packaged motion).

During closing remarks, Dr. Jones highlighted a contract to provide “work farms” and hydroponic systems in partnership with Nutrition Services and community partners; he said students will grow vegetables in school greenhouses and that produce will be served in cafeterias. “So it’s a sustainable program that we’re very excited about,” Dr. Jones said.

Later in the meeting the board ratified two contracts with the City of Dayton and PowerSchool and approved a resolution for a payment-in-lieu-of-transportation arrangement. The board voted on the ratification motion moved by Mr. Smith and seconded by Dr. Bailey; the clerk recorded six yeses on those ratification items.

The board also considered a resolution accepting Hubert Abraha’s resignation for retirement purposes and rehiring him as treasurer for the Dayton City School District. Doctor Goodwin moved the resolution; Mr. Walker seconded. The motion passed with six yeses.

Board members described the hydroponics initiative — referred to in the meeting as a “Forks to Farm”/work-farm collaboration with Nutrition Services — as a career-technical learning opportunity that pairs students with hands-on agriculture and food-service operations. Dr. Jones named local partners who contributed to planning and training for the crosswalk and community-safety initiatives and thanked Nutrition Services staff present in the audience for collaborating with career-technical programs.

The board also approved a 48‑hour waiver and several contracted services presented that evening. Where the meeting record listed specific vote tallies, the clerk announced the outcomes on the record; motions that required roll-call were recorded with the board’s votes and the meeting minutes will enumerate individual member votes.

No new budgetary dollar amounts for the hydroponics contract or the treasurer’s rehiring terms were stated on the public record during the meeting; the superintendent and treasurer’s office will post the full contract documents and financial details in accordance with district procurement rules.