At the board’s Jan. 14 meeting, Superintendent Dr. Giesland reviewed instructional priorities and district metrics and described program and facilities work the district plans to pursue this year.

Dr. Giesland said the district’s kindergarten readiness measure stands at 51.7 percent compared with the state average of 55.3 percent and emphasized early-learning access as a primary driver of long-term student success. "If kids are ready for kinder, they tend to do well long term," she said.

She outlined areas for growth, including ninth-grade on-track measures, low dual-credit participation and a graduation rate about 10 percentage points below the state average. To address those gaps, the superintendent described plans to expand career and technical education (CTE) offerings, noting a recent visit to a similar-sized district that has doubled AP and CTE offerings and that district staff will coordinate site visits for Granite Falls staff and CTE coordinators to evaluate potential program expansions.

Dr. Giesland also raised dual-language programming as a future option, referencing OSPI encouragement for districts to plan for dual-language pathways beginning in kindergarten and noting a planning horizon through 2030.

On compliance and oversight, she announced the district has been selected for an LEA consolidated program review (formerly "CPR"). The review will require assembling documentation across federal and state programs, and Dr. Giesland invited a board member to participate in the exit meeting.

Facilities and operations updates included new lighting at Granite Falls Middle School, roof patches at Gradient Hills High School and ongoing HVAC/boiler work; she thanked voters for levy support that funds capital repairs. The superintendent also previewed a Feb. 10 technology and capital levy and said staff will conduct outreach and "roadshow" events to explain levy details to voters.

What’s next: staff will pursue CTE partnerships and school visits, plan dual-language work if the board supports it, complete the LEA program review over the coming six weeks and continue levy outreach ahead of the Feb. 10 vote.