Granite Falls board approves hiring of Ryan Pike as high school principal

The Granite Falls School District Board of Directors unanimously approved the hiring of Ryan Pike as principal of Granite Falls High School following a motion to move the appointment from the consent agenda to new business.

Superintendent Dana Keyes introduced Pike and said he spent the full day at Granite Falls High School meeting staff and students before the meeting. "He's warm, he's professional, and committed to school improvement," Keyes said during the meeting as she described Pike's interviews and interactions with students and staff.

Pike told the board he was "excited to be there" and emphasized relationship-building: "building relationships, and keeping that focus on school improvement is what we're gonna do." Board members spoke in support of the hire during the discussion that followed.

The board first voted to remove the hiring from the consent agenda so it could be discussed and recognized in new business. A subsequent motion to accept the hiring was made, seconded and approved by voice vote with all members present saying "Aye." Earlier in the agenda the board had recorded that Director Ladoux, Director Carey, the meeting chair and Director Kinkade were present; Directors Gogner and Tate were absent.

The board did not specify a start date or contract terms for Pike in the public discussion. The personnel hire was presented and approved during the meeting's new business segment; no additional conditions or amendments to the hire were recorded in the transcript.

Board members and district staff welcomed Pike and described his first-day engagement with classes as a positive indicator for the transition. The hiring vote concluded with unanimous approval from members in attendance.