Board approves administrative appointments including Granite Transition Services principal

The Granite School District Board approved administrative appointments at its meeting, including the selection of Dr. Michelle Searle as principal for Granite Transition Services and the appointment of Brianna Cawley as assistant principal at Bennion and Crestview Elementaries.

Dr. Searle joins Granite from Grand County School District, where she served as an elementary principal. The board record lists prior roles including principal for a children’s behavioral health residential and day‑treatment facility, director of special education at Early Light Academy, classroom special‑education teacher and department head in other districts. Dr. Searle holds a bachelor's degree in special education, a master’s degree in educational leadership, an educational specialist degree in emotional and behavioral disorders and is completing a doctorate in educational leadership.

Brianna Cawley has taught in Granite for more than 13 years at several schools and was serving as an intern administrative assistant at Bennion and Calvin Smith Elementary Schools before her appointment. Board members congratulated both appointees in the meeting and welcomed family members who attended.

Why it matters: Administrative appointments determine school leadership and can change school priorities, staffing and day‑to‑day management at affected campuses. Granite Transition Services serves students with specialized needs; leadership there affects program delivery.

Actions and next steps: The board approved the appointments by motion; administrators said both leaders will begin their roles for the upcoming school year and the district will work with principals and school staff on transition planning.

Ending: Board members praised the new administrators and encouraged the community to welcome them as they begin their assigned duties.