BLUE EARTH — Blue Earth Area graduate and current Granada-Huntley-East Chain Superintendent Mandy Fletcher has been chosen by the Blue Earth Area School Board to be the district’s next superintendent.

The action, taken by the board Thursday evening, paves the way for the district to enter into contract negotiations with Fletcher.

Pending an agreement with Fletcher, the board will meet April 1 to ratify the contract.

Fletcher would begin working at Blue Earth Area beginning April 1. She was one of two finalists for the job. David Pace, a native of Madelia and superintendent at Greenway Public Schools, was the other.

“I am looking forward to getting out and meeting all of the staff in all of the buildings,” Fletcher said. “It will give me a chance to connect with the people I don’t know and reconnect with people I do know.”