The Cassopolis Board of Education approved the hiring of five new teachers and an adult/alternative education director at its regular meeting June 12.

The board unanimously approved the hiring of Jeff Wernette as the district’s adult/alternative education director and teacher for the 2017-18 school year.
The board also hired special education teacher Kaley Flynn, as well as elementary level teachers Kristin Leduc, John File and Brandy Carrington.
Breana Bowsher was hired as an elementary intervention specialist.
All votes were unanimous. Board members Amanda Smego and Lisa Cutting were absent.
Alisa Doll was granted a maternity leave tentatively beginning Aug. 27 for 12 weeks.
The board approved a proposal for asphalt work at Ross Beatty Jr./Sr. High School and the bus garage in an amount not to exceed $45,800.10. The project was awarded to Shembarger Asphalt Sealing Inc. of Berrien Springs.
Also approved was the logging of 61 trees on the Squires Education Center property by Forest and Land Management LLC. The district would receive $17,650 for the logging.
The district also will purchase a new food service transit vehicle from Lafontaine CDJR of Lansing in an amount not to exceed $38,934.06.
The boward approved the addition of curriculum coordinator/instructional coach for kindergarten through 12th-grade beginning with the 2017-18 school year.
After a unanimous vote, the 2017-18 school year will begin with a full day Tuesday, Sept. 5.
Incoming Superintendent Angela Piazza presented the board with a handout of a sample job description for various position levels within the technology department. She asked the board to review the descriptions and to think about the direction it would like for the district to go in regards to technology.
Outgoing Superintendent Tracy Hertsel recognized Julie Allen, Kelly Hargrove and Maria Jones and thanked them for their service to the district. All three retired at the end of the 2016-17 school year.
In other action, the board:
• Was asked by Hertsel to approve the buyout of vacation days for himself, Robyn Bright and John Bright. The board will consider the request at its Monday meeting.
• Reviewed changes to the final 2016-17 budget and reviewed parts of the 2017-18 preliminary budget.