GRANADA – With the current South Central Service Co-op (SCSC) member planning to retire, the Granada- Huntley East Chain (GHEC) School Board considered whether to replace them or not at its Thursday meeting.

Current SCSC representative Kathy Carlson said her term is up this year and she is not looking to renew. The Co-op board features members from numerous school boards in the area, including New Ulm, Truman and St James. There is currently not a representative from Fairmont.

The Co-op’s mission is working with educators and school districts to provide them with programs and services for the benefit of them and their students.

“You meet every other month,” Carlson said. “We have a lot of Zoom meetings. I probably went to Mankato [for meetings] twice last year.”

Carlson said nominations would have to be in by March 5, less than two months from now. Board Member Jessica Salic asked what kind of time commitment Carlson had for the Co-op.

“There’s lots of events you can attend in Mankato and the cities,” Carlson said. “We get paid gas and mileage. Some meetings are further south.”

The main request Carlson said they needed to meet was it had to be a current member of the GHEC School Board. This would mean adding onto the responsibilities members already have through the main board and other committees.

Board mMmber Ross Gronewald asked if it was possible they could use a community member or previous board member. Carlson said it’s not likely they would be approved but it was possible.

Superintendent Doug Storbeck thanked Carlson for presenting and acknowledged they would consider it.

In other news:

— Activities Director Erin Roiger said the new holiday tournaments GHEC sports teams entered went well. Feedback from teachers and students indicated they enjoyed the experience. Roiger said they are considering re-entering the tournaments next year. She said they are still working on an activities survey, as they are continuing to spread it for more responses.

— Principal Andy Walden said first semester is nearly over and results are looking good. Particularly, behavioral referrals are down from where they were this time last year. Attendance and academics are at good levels as well, which Walden attributed to continued holding of students to high academic standards.