The staff of Cassopolis Public Schools got a bit bigger Monday evening.

The Cassopolis Board of Education hired four new employees at its Aug. 14 meeting. The board hired a new food service director to replace exiting Food Service Director Robyn Bright. To replace exiting Transportation and Operations Supervisor John Bright, the board hired two individuals, one to take on the role of operations/building and grounds supervisor and one to take on the role of Transportation supervisor. The board hired a new Technology Director, as well.

Glen Barr was chosen as food service director, Forrest Glasper was chosen as technology director, Jason Messner was chosen as operation/building and grounds supervisor, and Jerry Zachary was chosen as the new transportation supervisor.

As the new food service director, Barr is coming into the role with 18 years’ experience as the food service director for the Cass County Council on Aging. He also spent 20 years working for Marriott Hotels, a position in which he travelled extensively to do catering gigs.

“I’m glad to be here. I can see I have some very big shoes to fill and I hope I am able to do that with fashion,” Barr said earning a laugh from the board.

Barr said it will be a big change to switch from working with senior citizens at the COA to working with young children at Cassopolis Public Schools, but that he is ready for the challenge.

“It will be a bit of a learning curve,” Barr said. “But it’s not too much of a difference.”

Messner is coming to his new position as operations/building and grounds supervisor from Wolverine Electrical Contracting, where he worked for 17 years. While he acknowledged that his new position would be a big change for him, he said he was ready.

“I’d like to thank the board,” Messner said. “I’m ready to jump in feet first next Monday and work with [Cassopolis Public Schools’ Superintendent Angela] Piazza. I want to build upon everything John [Bright] has built and take the schools to the next level.”

New transportation supervisor Zachary has been working for Cassopolis Public Schools six years a bus mechanic and maintenance worker. He said he is happy to continue further within the school district.

“I’ve learned a lot from [John Bright] and the school district in general,” Zachary said. “Hopefully I fit into the big shoes [Bright] has left to fill.”

The new technology director is coming from a similar position at Calumet New Tech High School in Gary, Indiana. He feels that his past experience makes him a good fit for the role and will fit with the plans Piazza has for the Cassopolis School District.

“I’m just looking forward to working [with the board],” Glasper said. “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Dr. Piazza before with the new tech things [the board] is looking to create. I’m coming from that environment already and I just want to get started.”

Each new employee expressed an excitement to begin working for the schools, and a particular excitement to work with Piazza and help implement her new vision for the school.

For the board’s part, they welcomed the Glasper, Messner, Zachary and Barr to the school system and wished them the best of luck with their new roles.