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CASSOPOLIS — The Cassopolis School Board met for their regular monthly meeting on Monday in the Cassopolis Ross Beatty High School Media Center.

Business Manager James English reported on multiple large repair expenses, including several building repairs. The district also purchased a used bus for $8,000, with the possibility of other used bus purchases in the near future.

“We are struggling with our bus fleet a little bit,” said English.

He noted the expenses would come from the General Fund without approval of the May 6th bond vote. He reminded those present that the $42 million bond came at a no millage increase and shared a video regarding the proposal. The video is available to the public on the school website at cassopolis.k12.mi.us.

Superintendent Dr. John Ritzler also emphasized the importance of the bond and the process of community input that created the proposal.

“The input we got from the community over the last eighteen months is what we are planning on doing,” he said. “We met with the community, these are the things they wanted done, and we’re doing it with a zero mil increase.”

Several students were recognized for their extracurricular efforts. The middle school and elementary spelling bee teams were recognized for their recent placements at the Cass County Spelling Bee, which was held at Southwestern Michigan College last month. Fourth grader Timiya Williams placed first in the individual competition for that grade, with school teams placing 3rd in the fourth, fifth, and seventh grade competitions, 2nd place in the sixth grade competition, and 1st place in the 8th grade competition.

Also recognized were members of the Future Farmers of America team. Merrill Adams placed first in district and regional competitions and fifth in state competitions in Prepared Public Speaking. The ​​Agricultural Issues team, including Alainna Preston, Jackson Bement, Brylee Jones, Olivia Hayden, Dickson Samadder, and Jackson Whitmyer, placed first in district and regional competitions and second in state competitions.

The school board approved the hiring of Virginia Martynowicz in an Interventionist position and Brandon Anderson as Varsity Girls Track Coach. They also approved overnight travel for the Cassopolis RoboRangers to the Robotics Worlds Competition in Houston, Texas, pending qualification to the event.

The next Board of Education meeting will take place at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 21.