Granton School Board Discusses Spring Election Candidates

Monday, January 16th, 2023 -- 2:00 PM

The Granton School Board discussed the candidates for the Spring Election.

The 2023 Spring Election School Board Candidates were announced and they drew for ballot order. Incumbents Doug Eichten, Mark Elmhorst, and Sheryl Young have filed candidacy paperwork for the Spring Election on April 4th. No one else filed paperwork.

District Administrator James Kuchta presented information on the 2021-22 audit report and the Board heard information from the Equestrian Club and incurred expenses, but no action was taken.

The Board also passed a motion to set the space available for open enrollment students as outlined in the addendum:

• EC/4K speech & language is 4 total;
• K-12 speech & language is 16 total;
• EC/4K one classroom - 4 total;
• K-6 one special education cross categorical - 10 total;
• 7-12 one special education cross categorical - 14 total.

The Granton Area School District may also use the following additional criteria when making a determination of whether or not there is additional space available, based upon the special education needs identified or related services required in a non-resident student's IEP:

• Class size limits or pupil-teacher ratios;
• Staffing capacity limit, including the amount of services pupils may need (e.g., minutes/hours, days per week), class/group size based on intensity of pupil needs (e.g., 1:1, small group, crisis intervention), the type of staff to address various disability-related needs (e.g., special education teacher, pupil services staff, related services, paraprofessional, etc.);
• Projected pupil enrollment & changes to services in pupils' IEPs;
• Other considerations concerning availability of space in the special education or related services.

The Board also approved course offerings, Large Animal Production 2 and Culinary Art Specialty, for the 2023-24 school year. The board heard a brief report on the 2023-24 School Calendar. District Administrator James Kuchta noted that discussion will be held with staff to gather input. No action was taken.

Following a closed session, the Board approved hiring Rachel Djubenski as the district bookkeeper and added her as an authorized signer for all Citizens State Bank accounts titled under Granton Area School District.

The Board accepted the resignation of Ruth Buettner and thanked her for her years of service. The Board accepted the letter of retirement from Sheila Kind and thanked her for her years of service. The Board approved the resignation of Ashley Magnuson and thanked her for her years of service.

The Board approved the long-term teacher sub contract for Kristine Doering. The Board approved the occupational therapist contract addendum for Tina Spannan and approved the teacher contract for Ashley Ruzic.

Kim Aumann, Instructional Coach, presented information on the District Report Card for the 2021-22 school year. The Elementary School Report Card exceeds expectations, the High School Report Card meets expectations, and the District Report Card exceeds expectations. Kim Aumann also presented information on the Achievement Gap Reduction (AGR) Fall Semester Report.

For the Student’s of the Month, December’s Characteristic/Trait focus was Curiosity. The Student’s of the Month were Trinity Holman for the Elementary, Sarah Seif with the Middle School, and Ezekial Arndt for the High School. Megan Utecht is the Staff Person of the Month.

The Board also heard the Administrators’ Report. Principal Amanda Kraus updated the board regarding wall murals by the HS Painting Class and Afterschool Esser III Grant. Superintendent James Kuchta updated the board on information including start date waiver submitted to DPI, Electric Vehicle bus update, and a Letter of acceptance for parking lot bid.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.