HOUGHTON — The Houghton-Portage Township Schools is laying the groundwork for potentially expanding district buildings to handle the growing number of students.

On board, the board approved a resolution approving and authorizing Superintendent Anders Hill to explore and evaluate potential district facility expansion and bond planning, especially at the elementary school.

“I think it’s something where we need to just explore all of our options and just make sure we’re presenting the best thing we can,” Hill said. “So really just going in with our eyes wide open and learn as much as we can, and anything that would come from that would have go to through board approval.”

Expanding square footage was one of the options consultants from Cooperative Educational Service Agency 10 presented at last month’s board meeting.

They had been tapped to study the best ways to use the district’s space as enrollment continues to increase. Student population is up about 100 students from a decade ago.

More instructional space could come in the form of adding modular buildings, or in the form of new or expanded buildings, the consultants said.

The elementary school has the most need, with its classrooms being used 100% of the time, the consultants said.

In other action, the board:

≤ Approved winter athletic coaches. There is still a potential opening for freshmen boys’ basketball coach, Athletic Director Rob Fay said. Jen Rubin was also added as an assistant skiing coach.

≤ Approved Nels Christopherson and Brad Baltensperger as delegates to the fall Michigan Association of School Boards conference.