Candidates say student outcomes and a looming levy are top priorities for Granite Falls schools

Candidates at the Granite Falls School Board candidate forum on Nov. 1 emphasized student outcomes as their top priority and said a district levy is essential to maintain basic operations and program offerings.

The finance question emerged repeatedly as candidates discussed how to keep ‘‘control of the Granite Falls School District within Granite Falls.’’ Peter Ledoux, the current board president and candidate for District 1, said local funding affects what programs the district can preserve: "If we do not fund within the district ... we will end up, you know, at the state level," and the state could ask, "do you really need sports teams?" Greg Farley, running for District 5, listed student outcomes first and linked them directly to maintaining…