The Cassopolis Board of Education interviewed Amanda Smego for the vacant trustee position at its regular meeting Monday night at the Squires Education Center.

Smego was the lone candidate for the vacancy created when John Bright stepped down.

Bright was hired as the district’s operations and transportation supervisor. He replaces Rosa Haines, whose retirement is effective June 30.

Following the interview, Smego was approved for the seat on the board and sworn in.

When asked why she wanted to be a board member, Smego said she wanted to improve the schools and help increase enrollment.

“I would work as part of the team and take on the assigned tasks,” she said on her application. “Also, I would ensure that all hired teachers have obtained current certification for their teaching level.”

Superintendent Tracy Hertsel proposed merit pay for administrators. Hertsel told the board that this had been passed two years ago and he was looking into merit pay for building administrators and the superintendent.

He will report back to the board at a future meeting with his findings.

Also hired by the board Monday were Nicole VanderKolk as a spanish teacher and Olivia Stewart as the Rangers’ JV volleyball coach.

In other action, the board:

• Adopted the 2014-15 final budget

• Adopted the 2015-16 preliminary budget

• Adopted the 2015-16 state aid borrowing resolution

• Scheduled its annual reorganization meeting for July 13

• Held its annual budget hearing prior to the regular meeting