GRANADA — The Granada-Huntley-East Chain School Board on Thursday heard a report from Principal Taylor Topinka.

“We’ve been off to a great start at GHEC,” he said. “We’re just wrapping up the second week. It’s really exciting to see our students come back.”

Topinka said he and Superintendent Doug Storbeck have been impressed with the teaching, support, technology and custodial staff.

“Mr. Storbeck and myself feel like GHEC has a great thing going and we don’t want to come in and make any wholesale changes right off the bat,” he said. “We want to keep the boat going in the same direction that it has been and then re-evaluate and see if we can offer any advice or potential changes as we go.”

Topinka reminded the board that homecoming will take place in two weeks, with the football game in Granada.

“Coronation is the Monday of homecoming week at 7:30 p.m., and the third annual fun will be on Wednesday the 25th at 4:30 p.m,” he noted. “The pep fest and parade will both be on Friday.”

Topinka said there was a great turnout for the school’s open house Aug. 28. Staff went over information with parents and students on the new policy for taking home one-to-one devices for E-Learning days.

Topinka also shared that the current enrollment number for the district is 294 in grades K-12.

A brief activities report was provided, which noted that fall sports are in full swing.

A junior high knowledge bowl program for students in grades 7-9 began this year. There are two teams signed up to compete. Melissa Smith is the coach.

The district is looking for a winter cheerleading coach and a junior high B and C squad girls basketball coach. Anyone interested may contact activities director Erin Roiger.

In other news, board members spoke briefly about coming up with a plan for football practice rotations. There have been previous concerns from parents of football players about practices only taking place in Truman. Many would like to see a more equal number of practices taking place in Truman and Granada.

“We need to have a plan,” said board president Bob Garry. “I think Erin and the coaches and the athletic committee should have some conversations and form a plan.”