In the final board meeting for retiring Cassopolis Superintendent Tracy Hertsel, the board of education hired a curriculum coordinator and in-school resource supervisor at its regular meeting at Squires Education Center Monday night.
Karen Blaha, who currently works at Goshen Community Schools, was hired as the district’s new curriculum coordinator and instructional coach for kindergarten through 12th grade.
Blaha has worked with Goshen Community Schools for the past 10 years. She is originally from Illinois, but moved to northern Indiana with her family.
“I am so happy to be coming to Cassopolis, Blaha said. “Curriculum is my passion. I love working with teachers and administrators when it comes to curriculum and tying curriculum to assessment. I love working in a school district where there is that community-driven, family feel to it. I certainly feel that about Cassopolis and I am so very happy to be on board.”
Todd Pawielski, who is currently the boys varsity basketball coach at Niles, has been in education for 20 years and has taught at Niles High School for the last 11 years. He has taught multiple subjects.
“Professionally I needed a change,” he said. “I saw the opportunity here. I knew the leadership here and I was encouraged to apply by my bride. I am a little scared with change. I like things the way they are. My wife (Nicky) and I are glad to be here and I would like to thank everybody, particularly Superintendent Hertsel, Dr. (Angela) Piazza and the administration.”
The board also approved multiple resolutions dealing with the final 2016-17 school budget as well as the 2017-18 preliminary budget.
The 2016-17 final budget showed the district had revenues in the amount of $9,202,057 and expenditures of $9,202,057.
That leaves the Cassopolis School District with a fund balance of $1,690,252 as of June 30, the end of the school year.
The food service budget ended the school year with a fund balance of $166,216.
The district’s sinking fund ends the 2016-17 year with a fund balance of $224,595.
The debt service fund ends the school year with a fund balance of $3,941,304.
All resolutions passed unanimously.
The board also approved the buyout of vacation days for Hertsel, Food Service Director Robyn Bright and Transportation/Operations Supervisor John Bright in the amount of $22,086.18, of which $3,893.40 came out of the Food Service Fund and the remaining $18,192.78 came out of the General Fund.
Trustee Deb Deubner during discussion on the motion suggested that the district put into place a policy for dealing with extra vacation days for administrators.
Following Hertsel’s final superintendent’s report, the board went into closed session to perform his final evaluation.
The board returned to open session where Hertsel was given an “effective” evaluation.
The next regular board meeting will be at 7 p.m. at Squires Education Center on July 10. This will be the board’s reorganizational meeting.