Granite Falls School Board recognizes students and staff, approves health-center MOUs and property-line fix

Granite Falls — The Granite Falls School Board honored dozens of students and staff at its Jan. 28 meeting and approved several administrative items, including agreements to bring health services to district campuses and a resolution to correct a city-identified property line.

“This is — these are our favorite board meetings because we get to recognize our students and we get to recognize our staff,” Superintendent Dr. Giesland said as the board opened a multi-school awards program that named student winners from Granite Falls High School, the middle and elementary schools and Crossroads.

Vice Principal Dave Bancini introduced the high-school honorees, praising freshman Amaya Rhodes for a 3.9 GPA and leadership on and off the volleyball court, and noting sophomore Pimchannuk Rungrang Satang’s success in FBLA competitions. The district also recognized staff “Bridge Builder” award recipients — employees singled out by nominators for building trusting relationships with students, including Marcy Lemke (Granite Falls Middle School), Dorothy Nies (McKinney-Vento coordinator) and Kathy Adajarvi (Monte Cristo Elementary). One recipient, preschool teacher Carol Shonlau, was recognized in absentia.

After the recognition portion and a brief recess, the board returned to business. Dr. Giesland described upcoming district events and two ballot measures the district will ask voters to consider on Feb. 10: Proposition 1, an EP&O levy that the superintendent said covers about 11% of district revenue and supports classified staff, nurses, counselors and extracurriculars; and Proposition 2, a technology and capital- projects levy intended for HVAC upgrades (to comply with the Clean Buildings Act), technology infrastructure and possible sports-field improvements.

On new business the board considered memoranda of understanding with CHC of Snohomish County. The MOUs authorize CHC to provide free sports physicals on campus and to conduct dental outreach in coordination with the planned school-based health center, which officials said is slated to open next fall; the construction is expected to occur this summer. School leaders said on-site physicals will reduce a common barrier to student participation in athletics. Motions to approve both MOUs were made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

The board also approved Resolution 25-26-10, a property-line adjustment authorization prompted by a city review that had the district’s property line drawn into the street. Board members characterized the action as a correction to recorded property boundaries; the motion to approve was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

The consent agenda — which included an equipment donation to the district’s CTE program from Rosalie Wallstrom — passed by unanimous consent. The board adjourned at 7:15 p.m.

Next steps: The levies go to voters Feb. 10; the district plans to convene community groups to advise on any proposed sports-field upgrades should the capital levy pass, and the school-based health center construction is expected this summer with services beginning in the fall.