Student honored for state 4‑H project as Grama Creek shifts to virtual day after HVAC issue

Courtney Preisjons, instructional coach at Grama Creek Elementary, introduced a 4‑H recognition and thanked staff for keeping students safe after an unplanned HVAC issue.

"My name is Courtney Preisjons. I'm the instructional coach at Grand Creek," Preisjons said, and described how school‑day clubs and after‑school programs expanded 4‑H participation at the school.

Jess Bailey, president of the Jennings County 4‑H Council, presented a State 4‑H Leaders' Choice rosette and explained the selection process for Grand Champion projects, saying Simon's entry "was deserved that." Student Simon briefly described his project as "about the forest," and board members congratulated him for placing at the state fair.

Separately, a district staff member told the board an HVAC part failure produced a natural‑gas smell at Grama Creek and the staff "made the decision to move the entire school population to NDE for the day." The presenter said that most students remained at the receiving school for classes, lunch and specials, and that parents were notified and could pick their children up.

The staff member added that while one replacement part arrived, a second component needed fabrication and would arrive the next day; therefore, Grama Creek will hold a virtual school day the following day while repairs are completed.

Why it matters: The recognition highlights student achievement and the role of school‑day enrichment in driving participation in county fairs; the HVAC incident underscores the district's emergency response procedures and short‑term operational impacts on families.

The district said it will install the fabricated part as soon as it arrives and return students to in‑person schedules when the building is declared safe.