The Cassopolis Board of Education approved proposed reductions and savings in extra-duty compensation and the addition, reduction and realignment of paraprofessional hours Monday night.

Extra-pay compensation went to things like being a grade level chair or any type of coach for things such as spelling bee.

Realignment of paraprofessionals is done in order to bring the district in line with student needs.

Due to retirements, movement in staff and changes in student programs, paraprofessionals will need to be shifted to meet those needs.

The board also accepted the retirements of Patricia Baltazar and Billie Snow, as well as granted a request for maternity leave for Angela Vega.

Josh Rinehardt resigned his position of middle school football coach.

The board also looked at the final budget resolutions for 2012-13 as well as looked at the preliminary 2013-14 budget.

Superintendent Tracy Hertsel told the board that it would once again have to borrow approximately $1.8 million, the same amount as last year.

The board will also be looking at changing the date of graduation. This year Cassopolis graduated May 19, two weeks before most of the rest of the southwest Michigan districts.

They will be looking into moving the date back to the more traditional Sunday following Memorial Day. Hertsel was asked if it would benefit the district and if it would cost more to move graduation.

Hertsel told board members that moving the date would not cost any more money and would give students another two weeks of education and a chance to extend their senior year.

Board President Scott Ward and Hertsel honored retiring teacher John Bradke, custodian Sol Luevano, ISR supervisor Linda Mourning and paraprofessional Sharon Tubbs.

They were presented gifts of appreciation from the district.

The board also went into closed session to discuss negotiations with the Cass Education Association and CSEA (support staff such as paraprofessionals, clerical and bus drivers).