While the items on the agenda during Monday night’s meeting of the Dowagiac Board of Education were a few housekeeping policy updates, it was quite significant for the board itself.

Monday’s meeting was the last one for several officers, including President Michelle Helmuth-Charles, Secretary Beth Davis and Treasurer Julia Smith. All three were defeated in their bid for reelection last month, losing to Ron Jones, W. Douglas Kolmodin and Phyllis Anne Sarabyn on Nov. 4.

Davis has served on the board since January of 2012, and has served as their secretary since 2013. Smith had served since January of 2010, and was selected as treasurer also in 2013.

Charles, meanwhile, had served since Nov. 6 of 2006, serving as secretary of the 2008-2009 school year, as vice president from 2009-2011 and as president since 2012.

Superintendent Paul Hartsig, who was hired by the board earlier this year, honored the outgoing members on Monday, recognizing the efforts they’ve poured into the children of the district over the last several years. He also gave both Davis and Charles plaques honoring their service, as well honoring Smith who was absent from Monday’s meeting.

Following the ceremony, Charles read to the board a letter she and the other departing members had written, sharing their thoughts about the time in office.

“On behalf of Julia, Beth and myself, I would like to take a moment to say thank you to our community and school district for allowing us to represent and work with all of you,” Charles said. “We have had the opportunity to be involved in many positive things happening within our district.”

Among the notable positives included in her list were the introduction of the 5-star afterschool program at Dowagiac Middle School in 2012, the creation of the freshmen mentor program at Dowagiac Union High School around the same period, and expansion of the reading recovery program district wide. She also mentioned the recent increases in enrollment following projected declines and the high marks received from their last budget audit.

Charles also referenced the high marks Dowagiac Union School received from a recent report released by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, receiving a B grade and being ranked within the 84.8 percentile group among schools across the state.

“It’s amazing to have a high school that ranks higher than any other Cass County School, as well as any school district surrounding us,” she said.

The outgoing members asked that the newcomers continue their work in improving the technology used for student education, and that they carry forward the work being done to update the safety and ADA compliance of their existing buildings.

“As the majority of the board will not have students attending any schools, we encourage you to attend lots of events, be a listening ear but have an open mind to help move forward in the best practices,” Charles said.

The new Dowagiac Board of Education will convene for their first meeting of 2015 on Monday, January 19 at Dowagiac Middle School.