Dayton board honors late member Karen Wick Gonyea and dedicates Welcome Stadium press box

The Dayton Board of Education spent part of its Dec. 16 meeting honoring the late board member Karen Wick Gonyea and adopted a resolution dedicating the press box at Welcome Stadium in her name.

After a brief recess the board heard multiple tributes, including an obituary read by a community member and a musical tribute. Speakers described Wick Gonyea as a tireless advocate for the arts, a visible presence at schools and community events, and a mentor to students. "If you love Karen Wick Gonyea, you will organize your closets," one speaker said, using warm, personal recollection to describe her practical care for others.

The board then introduced a resolution to name the Welcome Stadium press box the Karen Wick Press Box and directed staff to install signage and update records. Several members supported the dedication as an appropriate honor for someone described as deeply engaged across the district.

Some members asked for more transparency and community input before directing staff to spend district resources. The district business manager estimated initial costs in the $50,000–$75,000 range for initial improvements and signage; several board members asked that staff post the resolution on board documents and return cost details before beginning work.

Despite the requests for additional information, the board moved and seconded the resolution and recorded a majority vote in favor. Staff were directed to implement the dedication and to coordinate with athletic, facilities and communications staff on signage and records updates.

The discussion combined tribute and policy: speakers emphasized Wick Gonyea’s student-facing work and community partnerships, while some members urged a more deliberative process for how the district spends funds to memorialize staff and officials.