The Blue Ridge Unified School district governing board elected David Merrill president and chose Michael Granio as vice president and Mary Ford as secretary during its meeting; the board also approved a set of routine governance measures to allow daily operations between meetings.

The changes give the district two signing authorities for time-sensitive business between meetings and ratified standard procedures for processing vouchers, grants and other day-to-day expenditures. Board members voted unanimously on each motion.

Why it matters: The measures formally authorize district staff to carry out financial and operational tasks between monthly meetings so payroll, vendor payments and other recurring business can continue without delay. Board members said the approvals are annual housekeeping that prevents the need for extra meetings.

Key actions and outcomes (Votes at a glance):
- Election of David Merrill as board president — approved (unanimous).
- Election of Michael Granio as vice president — approved (unanimous).
- Election of Mary Ford as board secretary — approved (unanimous).
- Resolution authorizing execution of funding proposals, grants, vouchers and other expenses between meetings (item 1.2) — approved (unanimous). Dr. Wright explained this is an annual authorization that lets two designated individuals sign vouchers and process payroll when the full board is not in session.
- Directive to invest or reinvest district cash balances in conservative, insured accounts (item 1.4) — approved (unanimous). Dr. Wright said the district seeks interest-bearing, FDIC-insured options for idle funds.
- Governing board delegation of purchasing authority to statutorily designated executives (item 1.5) — approved (unanimous). The motion designates the district’s chief executives (by title) as the signing officers for purchases and can be amended when personnel change.
- Calendar of regular monthly meetings, with May meeting moved from May 13 to May 6 to avoid a principal grading conflict (item 1.6) — approved (unanimous).
- Consent agenda items 2.1–2.5 (routine personnel and administrative items) — approved (unanimous).

Board members described these votes as standard annual business intended to keep operations efficient. Dr. Wright told the board the measures are consistent with how other districts manage between-meeting business and that the district would continue to bring back a summary of any transactions ratified after the fact.

The board did not debate any of the items at length and approved each by unanimous voice or hand vote. The meeting adjourned with the board noting the next regular meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Feb. 11 in the same location.

Ending: The approvals secure administrative authority for routine transactions and set the board schedule for the year, while preserving the board’s ability to amend delegations when personnel or circumstances change.