GRANADA– The Granada Huntley East Chain (GHEC) school held its monthly meeting for the month of April on Thursday. During the meeting the board discussed complications relating to a potential building expansion.

In his report to the board, GHEC Superintendent Doug Storbeck provided an update on a planned building project which would include an expanded kitchen, two classrooms and an agriculture lab. Last year the board failed to pass a ballot measure to authorize a $1.9 million bond which would help finance the expansion, but in a recent meeting with the district’s contractor, a new estimate said the expansion would cost more than $5 million. Additionally, after re-evaluating potential student enrollment in the near future, Storbeck said the new expansion may not fully meet the district’s needs. As a result the district plans to find a new contractor for the expansion and has gone back to the drawing board scheduling a work session for the following week. The setback could further delay the financing and construction of an expansion.

In his report, Storbeck also signaled an interest in formalizing a district policy which would allow students to change their names and pronouns.

“We’re okay calling a student whatever they want to be called within reason,” said Storbeck.

While the district is required to use a student’s legal name on formal records, this policy would affect how staff address students in the classroom.

Storbeck said the district plans to contact the Minnesota School Board Association for policy guidelines, but suggested the policy would require parental consent before changes to names or pronouns could be made.

Board members Brad Mattson and Ross Gronewald expressed opposition towards students changing their names or pronouns.

In high school principal Taylor Topinka’s report, he presented a selection of new courses which could be offered in upcoming school years. GHEC plans to offer more college level courses in the upcoming school year including an English course through Southwest Minnesota State University as well as another course through Mankato State University (MSU).

Topinka noted Chris Gerhardt, GHEC’s school resource officer, expressed an interest in teaching an introduction to law enforcement class; Gerhardt has a master’s degree and the course could potentially offer college credit through MSU. Gerhardt is an employee of the Martin County Sheriff’s Office and scheduling a reliable class time would require special accommodations from the county.

Topinka also noted the school’s music programs would continue to have split sections for middle and high school band and choir.

In other business, the board:

— Approved a budget of $6.3 million for the 2023-2024 school year.

— Approved a contract for Shyranda Hornick as a guidance counselor for the upcoming school year and approved a three year contract for Andy Walden as middle and high school principal through the end of the 2025-2026 school years.

— Discussed its recent administrative review wherein Storbeck received an A+ rating. The board highlighted Storbeck’s work on district finances.