[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6239512,"mediaKeyId","3337503-05668ba9fa2aede478bd2146725bfa83","parentId",3337503,"title","WASA review recommends stable CTE leadership, OSPI compliance and targeted pathways for Granite Falls","audioSeconds",420,"startMs",1080000,"endMs",1500000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3337503-05668ba9fa2aede478bd2146725bfa83&start=1080&end=1500","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3337503-05668ba9fa2aede478bd2146725bfa83/thumbnail_1080000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6239512/Washington/WASA-review-recommends-stable-CTE-leadership-OSPI-compliance-and-targeted-pathways-for-Granite-Falls","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239512-c49a91815467967aab72fa5174f1956e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770890157&Signature=S-O6mNNMyi31-pX5WiX6oDl4HPs~yB8rlNdB~g6r62RF3iAB8vMh1JG0QDcHgDsLPSodWJ0vJrSLtOu-dpfLuiXppY~CAODuTlTITvrwHWqD5xfX5QHl0wr-gDEw8ysSr30WfG-AhpHYbmnEgGCJqnUd69M7hdOn2JtR2AdT57tOduXDAHT~0XJyo-tJhogvFGsoFn1SIkDDWyDCyEcvlemRI3AfAv3hyspVmI5fOMjPCYmrRC-AgXqGBBfoSxL-Hl054Ge5m3l1CMebZ6p8l2Im4YJu83DN8Sr1c4h8eDcx-r-Bj8Hky3gQs9YjvyTLshWafWhpFHI-r~PWkPg~Cg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Granite Falls School District, WA","date","2025-05-15T20:05:09Z","article","The Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) management review of Granite Falls School District’s career and technical education (CTE) program recommended the district hire a part‑time CTE director, align staffing with enrollment and student interest, and ensure all CTE courses have OSPI approval.

The review, summarized at the meeting by CTE teacher Josh Van Jensen, found that frequent turnover in the district CTE leadership had produced inconsistent direction and compliance. “The findings that are being shared tonight are not my opinions,” Van Jensen told the board. “They are the findings of a very, experienced and very capable group of people that look at and provide usable feedback for growth and change within CTE departments.”

Key findings and recommendations: WASA consultants reported that CTE enrollment has declined year over year, producing an estimated $700,000 revenue shortfall for the department and leaving some classes underenrolled and the program effectively overstaffed for current participation levels. The consultants recommended aligning staffing to enrollment and student-interest data, using advisory committees to shape course offerings, and expanding dual- and articulated-credit opportunities with community colleges to boost participation.

Compliance and certification: The review found multiple instances of courses that lacked timely OSPI approval and a pattern of teachers holding conditional certifications that were renewed repeatedly. WASA recommended tighter monitoring of certification progress, faster movement from conditional to full certification, and correct pairing of course classification (CIP/\"ZIP\") codes with teachers’ vocational (V) codes so instructors are legally and appropriately authorized to teach specific CTE courses.

Student pathways and community input: The report highlighted that roughly 70 percent of Granite Falls students use a CTE graduation pathway, and evaluators identified health sciences and construction/manufacturing as high‑interest areas in the district and Snohomish County’s skills-gap data. The consultants recommended focusing limited district resources on high-demand pathways and using advisory committees of local industry partners to validate equipment, curriculum and facilities planning.

District reaction and next steps: Superintendent Dana Keesland and board members discussed the recommendations at length. Staff proposed hiring a part‑time CTE director (a common model for districts the size of Granite Falls) to provide consistent leadership, build industry partnerships and shepherd OSPI approvals; the board asked for follow-up reporting on hiring, course approvals and enrollment trends. Van Jensen described the report as a basis to “revitalize” the program if the board invests in leadership and community partnerships.

Ending: The board did not vote on specific CTE budget changes at the meeting. Staff said they will bring implementation steps—hiring a part‑time CTE coordinator, submitting pending OSPI course approvals, aligning staffing to enrollment, and convening advisory committees—for board review during the spring/summer planning cycle.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","GFSD School Board Meeting 5/14/25","oneSentenceSummary","A Washington Association of School Administrators review of Granite Falls’ career and technical education recommended hiring a part-time CTE director, aligning staffing to enrollment, ensuring OSPI course approvals, and expanding advisory-committee engagement to rebuild enrollment and program sustainability.","taxTitle","Granite Falls School District, School Districts, Washington","taxId",46571,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6239517,"Granite Falls board approves staff reductions as enrollment and revenue fall; audit finds no exit items",188,660000,848000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3337503-05668ba9fa2aede478bd2146725bfa83&start=660&end=848","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3337503-05668ba9fa2aede478bd2146725bfa83/thumbnail_660000.jpg","/articles/6239517/Washington/Granite-Falls-board-approves-staff-reductions-as-enrollment-and-revenue-fall-audit-finds-no-exit-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6239517-98e753f4bbac101910b27c5d2770e2b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770890157&Signature=jIa4v0CXeD4-B3vDjVMdJKJNfy9GNLOZqluHygnJEbhM4QcpccZIZrFlXKI~RqIgRGdzzdRaGvKPEv-86qxYnnR5ZH8OXe1ln7jKL3qKpeOrHQnOyFewd-lMjgIAruRXCYhW~mpBYZGIeEEqzWdKavMuyJggDlgRoT2OiTOMWHzST5ql0OHtRIxaObB~QLLNIKEKvLAIDc1m~HX5Ka9YpLk98jEfxrasCpppzUmpBnl9hip0ZG57MvSKEfRCZuWbDHHFpncPdFBPWDbUWPAiXP5l0ustU8bJsILxoCpHzAJcywG2YsbqwZiX91ZEX~vetO1LVyFo24KhSoy3Z-84RQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A majority of the Granite Falls School District Board approved staff reductions after district leaders told the board the district expects a drop of 90 to 100 students next school year and “nearly $1,000,000 less in enrollment-based revenue.”

The district’s superintendent, Dana Keesland, told the board the drop in enrollment is driven by smaller kindergarten cohorts following the pandemic, the sunsetting of an agreement with Lake Stevens School District that previously placed about 70 students at Crossroads High School, and a continued moratorium on new housing construction in Granite Falls. “This represents nearly 1,000,000 less in enrollment based revenue for the coming year,” Keesland said during her report.

Why it matters: enrollment drives staffing and general-fund revenue for the district. Board members and staff said they tried to limit the number of layoffs while balancing contract obligations tied to current staffing levels.

Board action and timing: The board approved a reduction-in-force resolution earlier in the spring; initial notices covered a larger number of positions (10 certificated staff, 10 classified staff and one administrator), but district staff reported that, as of the meeting, the list had been reduced to two certificated staff and one administrator. The board also approved the consent agenda and routine items at the meeting by unanimous consent.

Audit and fund balance context: District leaders said the state audit produced no exit items this year. During board comments a director noted the audit finding was “fantastic,” and staff said the district will publish the audit results publicly when available. At the same time, the board heard a warning about the district’s cash-on-hand. A board member described the district’s projected 5% fund balance as roughly 12 days of cash on hand and contrasted that with a 60‑day best practice standard. One board member said, “I want everybody to have that sink in. The school can operate for 12 days if funding, for some reason, was no longer coming in.” The board emphasized that low cash reserves increase the district’s vulnerability if revenues decline further.

Facilities and capital needs: Business manager Marshall Cruz told the board the district is on track to meet a 5% fund-balance target and noted an item later on the agenda seeking capacity in the capital projects fund in case a major HVAC grant is awarded. The board also heard that the district applied for a competitive state grant (up to $4.5 million for districts of this size) to replace antiquated HVAC systems; the grant would flow through the capital projects fund and the district asked the board to increase capacity to spend the funds if the grant is awarded.

Staff reductions and supports: Superintendent Keesland and board members stressed that reductions were not taken lightly. The superintendent said the board and staff aim to protect classroom instruction and to look for alternate models, including potential homeschool partnerships and reconfigured roles for some programs (for example, an ALE program manager position being reframed). Keesland said the district values every employee and that decisions are driven by the district’s “North Star” of student learning and success.

Next steps: District staff said they will continue to post vacancies and reconfigured roles (for example an ALE program manager), pursue the HVAC grant, and publish the audit report. The board asked staff to maintain transparent communication with impacted employees and the community.

Ending: Board members closed the meeting after approving routine business items. Several directors urged community members to contact board members directly with questions and to seek context before drawing conclusions on social media.","The Granite Falls School District approved personnel reductions after forecasting a drop of 90–100 students and nearly $1 million in lost enrollment-based revenue. The district received a clean exit report from the state auditor but directors warned the district’s cash-on-hand is far below best practices.","actionData","errors"]

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WASA review recommends stable CTE leadership, OSPI compliance and targeted pathways for Granite Falls

Granite Falls board approves staff reductions as enrollment and revenue fall; audit finds no exit items