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Superintendent announces fire‑science pathway, district wins roughly $200,000 to support HVAC planning
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Giesland unveiled a half‑day fire science pathway in partnership with Granite Falls Fire starting this fall and said the district had been awarded about $200,000 from the Department of Commerce to support HVAC and energy‑efficiency planning; staff said a contractor will present audit results and proposals in coming meetings.
Superintendent Dr. Giesland told the board the district will offer a new half‑day fire science pathway beginning this fall in partnership with Granite Falls Fire and the regional skill center Sno Isle. Students will split their day between the fire‑science instruction at the fire facility and classes at Granite Falls High School or Crossroads, expanding in‑district career pathways that previously required regional placement.
"We are really excited about our new fire science program," Dr. Giesland said, noting strong community and Granite Falls Fire engagement. The program is intended to provide multiple career pathways, including emergency medical services and health‑care related fields, not only firefighting.
In the same update, Dr. Giesland said the district was awarded about $200,000 from the Department of Commerce to support planning for HVAC and energy-efficiency projects across five large district buildings. The superintendent described the award as an approximate amount ("200 ish, $200,000") and said the planning work will be done by the district's contracted planner (referred to in the transcript as Milig), with further grants and rebates under consideration.
Marshall's business report complemented the superintendent's remarks: enrollment is declining mostly at the high school level and the district expects to end the year near 2,200 full‑time‑equivalent students once worksite learning is included. Marshall said the district's budget is near projections for the year, and that Milig will present energy‑audit findings and implementation order in coming meetings.
District staff said they will continue to seek rebates and grants to reduce levy expenditures, and that the planning funded by the Commerce award will not be charged to levy funds. The board praised community volunteers who supported the recent levy campaign and said they expect a schedule and contractor proposals at upcoming facilities meetings.
