Progress is being made on the water lines
GRANGER — The Granger Independent School District has named Stephen Brosch as the lone finalist for the superintendent’s slot. In addition, trustees during the Dec. 10 meeting received good news regarding efforts to connect the city’s water lines to the new Granger Secondary School.
Meanwhile, school board members announced Brosch, the acting superintendent, as the lone finalist for the top educator’s spot.
He stepped in after Jeni Neatherlin left to take the superintendent position at the Hutto Independent School District Aug. 27, 2024.
Brosch, the former Granger High School principal, was named acting superintendent Dec. 1, 2024.
“I am beyond grateful for the trust and continued support of the Granger ISD board of trustees and that of everyone at GISD...It is with great pride and passion that I look forward in continuing the amazing progress and success GISD will continue tomake in the future,” Brosch said.
Prior to his job as the high school principal, he was the athletic director and head football coach for the Granger Lions, tracking a 40-10 record over four seasons.
“Since taking over in the acting superintendent role, Mr. Brosch has shown over the past 12 months tremendous leadership, stability, confidence and care,” board President Daryl Stefek said in a release. “He is trusted, respected and deeply knowledgeable about our district’s needs.” Texas law requires a 21-day waiting period after naming a lone finalist to give the public time for comment, background checks and finalizing a contract.
Meanwhile, Scott Murrah, president of 5M Associates, a water-engineering firm, reported on the status of attempts to finish connecting a water line to the new campus.
A third bore attempt that began Dec. 8 had drilled to a depth of 120 feet by Dec. 10.
“That’s getting them into what’s called ‘Zone A’ right under the (Union Pacific) railroad tracks. Hopefully, he’s going to push and get out of Zone A underneath the railroad tracks,” Murrah said. “That’s the goal so far and everything looks good.” At the time, the contractor shut down the railroad track.
“The trains are not running, the contractor’s working 24 hours a day,” Murrah said.
As of Dec. 16, the bore made it under the railroad tracks.
Despite all of the encouraging progress, Murrah did have some bad news, too.
“I don’t think they’ll be able to make the (Dec.) 16 fire f low test,” he said.
The test measures the water pressure and water flow rate from fire hydrants and is required by the county fire marshal before the secondary school can open.
The test has already been postponed five times.
Trustees decided not to push for the Dec. 16 date until they had more news about the bore.
“(The contractor) is hoping to have the water lines put in by Dec. 19. He’s asked if (the test) could be pushed off a week just to make sure everything is good,” Murrah said.
Brosch noted if they missed the Dec. 16 fire hydrant test, it would be another month before it could be rescheduled, although the fire marshal had said he would try to squeeze in an earlier date.
During the Dec. 16 Williamson County Commissioners Court, the city of Granger received $944,119.70 to further its water and wastewater improvement project.
The next school board meeting is 6:30 p.m. Jan. 14 in the board room at 300 N. Colorado St.
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“(Brosch) is trusted, respected and deeply knowledgeable about our district’s needs.”
— Daryl Stefek, Granger ISD board president
