East Grand Forks School Board Discusses Arena Renovation and Industrial Tech Instructor Hiring

The East Grand Forks Public School Board meeting focused on discussions around city arena renovations and the hiring of a new industrial tech instructor. Superintendent Kevin Grover provided updates on these subjects, among others, urging community involvement in local initiatives and decisions.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing a communication from the city council regarding renovations to the city’s arena, notably the replacement of the outdated R22 refrigeration system. Superintendent Grover explained that while the school does not officially endorse ballot measures, the arena is a critical facility for school activities. He emphasized the importance of good-quality facilities for students, stating that renovations are necessary. Grover encouraged community members to vote on the matter, highlighting the partnership between the school and the city.

Another important topic was the recommendation to hire an industrial tech instructor. The candidate, who holds a four-year degree but not specifically in industrial arts, will be starting under a tiered license with plans to obtain full certification while teaching. The board was asked to approve hiring the instructor two weeks early to facilitate a mentorship period with the current instructor. This hire aims to benefit both the middle and high school students, with the instructor initially starting at the high school.

Lastly, the board heard a report on the Prosity platform from Kendra Hatcher, which connects community members to fulfill unmet student needs. The platform successfully met all but one posted need last year, with the most requested items being clothing and shoes. The initiative is set to continue this year with expectations of more requests for winter gear.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.

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