Superintendent Paul Hartsig announced several new hires and one resignation on Monday, during the meeting of Dowagiac Union Schools Board of Education.

Hartsig announced that the district has hired Debra Wegner to teach first-grade students at Justus Gage Elementary. Wegner, a graduate of Dowagiac Union High School and Western Michigan University, has nine years of experience in education, teaching two years at Elkhart Public Schools and seven years with the River Valley School District.

“We’re very excited to have her on board,” Hartsig said. “She comes to us very highly trained, and I think she will make a fantastic teacher. I’m really excited to have her join us.”

Her children are already attending school at Kincheloe Elementary, Hartsig said.

Several existing staff members will also be taking on new roles within the district. Dan VandeHeede, a social studies teacher at Dowagiac Union High School, will take over coaching duties for the cross county team. VandeHeede had coached varsity cross-county in the past, spending eight years with the team in Niles.

Nick File’s hiring as Dowagiac Middle School’s football program coach was also approved by the board Monday.

Hartsig also announced the resignation of former High School principal Pieter Hoekstra. The educator stepped down from his current position as director of the Pathfinders Alternative and Adult Education program last week, on Aug. 11. He has been hired by the state to develop curriculum for Department Of Corrections.

The board approved several other motions during the meeting, pertaining to student meal program. The first was renewal of the district’s contract with Sodexo Food Service, its current vendor in charge of meal services. The board also set lunch pricing for the year, which is unchanged from last year.

The prices are:

• Student breakfast —  $1.45

• Elementary lunch (K-5) — $2.35

• Grade 6-12 lunch —  $2.45

• Adult lunch — $3.25

• Adult breakfast — $1.95

• Milk $.50