GRANADA — As the school year is in its final weeks, the Granada-Huntley-East Chain (GHEC) School Board heard reflections from instructors and additional information regarding the building project on Thursday evening.

Music teacher Clarissa Smith presented the board with reports of the music department’s recent activity.

“We had a busy semester in the music department,” Smith said.

She explained that the choir and band groups attended a solo and ensemble contest recently, where the choir and band groups received excellent and distinguished ratings, respectively. She recounted the music department’s trips to Minnesota State University for clinician feedback, Mall of America, pizza party, art institute, museum, watching the Timberwolves basketball team compete, playing the orchestra score of the documentary “Secrets of the Whales”, among other memorable experiences.

“I’m glad they enjoyed their time,” Smith told the board.

She noted that the Pops Concert is next week, and encouraged the school board to attend. If any of the board members possessed an instrument, they would be invited to perform, according to Smith. Following the concert, Smith expressed that she would like to capture a photo of current and former choir members. The incoming band director will arrive that day to meet the students.

“She’s bubbly, hands-on, and a good fit,” Smith commented.

Director of Curriculum and Instruction Bethany Maday looked ahead to next year during her May report, putting a highlight on Grades 6 to 12 English Language Arts (ELA) for the selected 2025-2026 curricula. CommonLit is the selected curriculum, which comes with a five-year subscription and costs $28.750. The ‘Inspire’ curriculum from McGraw-Hill for Biology and Physics will be put in place for the Grade 9 to 12 Science. Maday concluded her presentation with reports of Fastbridge testing, support, and intervention for students not at reading level, summer session of Grades Kindergarten to 5 targeted services, mathematics standard update, which will be implemented by the 2028 MCA, and READ ACT updates.

On behalf of Activities Director Erin Roiger, Superintendent Doug Storbeck read her report.

Roiger is impressed by the number of new athletes, which she deems is good for both the programs and the students. Openings for activity coaches have been announced. The board was notified that the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) approved the Pathway II scholarship application for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Each year will be awarded $15,000 for a total of $30,000. Roiger thanked GHEC schools, GHEC CIA, GHEC ESP, NHS members, the student council and student volunteers for helping with the spring carnival on Wednesday evening. Roiger wrote that updates will be presented by her at the Joint Activities Committee meeting at 5:30 p.m. on June 17.

Storbeck offered the elementary, junior, and senior high report on behalf of Secondary Principal Andy Walden.

Walden wrote that Teacher Appreciation Week is May 5 to May 9. He encouraged students and the community to offer thanks to the instructors of GHEC.

“We are grateful for our GHEC teachers,” Walden wrote. “They work tirelessly to improve the lives of our students, both academically and personally.”‘

Ryan Hoffman of ICS attended the board meeting with further updates and information concerning the building project. In his final scope presentation, Hoffman exhibited areas of renovation and where additions would be made with multiple school maps. The project would support the needs of expanded serving, access to kitchen, access to loading dock, larger cooler and freezer, CTE expansion, fitness room, deferred maintenance, restroom improvements and locker room conversion, and two classrooms, with the additional storm shelter. According to Hoffman’s presentation, the budget for the project is $8.7 million, with the average household having a tax impact of $95 a year. Hoffman explained that a special board meeting would be held to approve the submission to the Minnesota Department of Education, and approval for the bond referendum at the meeting on June 12.

In other business:

— The last day of school for GHEC seniors will be on Thursday, May 22, if they sustain good academic standing. The GHEC Graduation is at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 23. The school board ruled that Board Members Ken Madsen and Ross Gronewald would present students with their diplomas. Storbeck shared that the seniors would like to have a parade following the ceremony.

— The board approved Andy Sodersten and Kelly Klontz as a physical education teacher and elementary music and secondary school band teacher, respectively, for the 2025-2026 school year.

— The board approved the GHEC ESP Memorandum of Understanding, allowing for the district’s contribution to health benefits to be paid for staff in July and August. Storbeck mentioned that it would cost $1,400 for both months.

— The board explained that the School Resource Officer, Chris Gerhardt, could extend his Criminal Justice classes to both Truman and Martin County West schools. Storbeck recounted that Truman had expressed interest in this opportunity.