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CASSOPOLIS — The Cassopolis School Board met for their regular monthly meeting on Monday.

Superintendent Dr. John Ritzler recognized a $500 donation from Pier Perfection Inc. toward an incentive program at Sam Adams Elementary School. 

He also welcomed students from the Cassopolis Middle School Spelling Bee teams, who competed at the Cass County Spelling Bee at Southwestern Michigan College. Sixth grader Grace Beaudoin won the 5th-8th grade individual competition, while the teams received fourth place for 4th grade, first place for 5th grade, second place for 6th grade, first place for 7th grade, a tie for first in 8th grade. Also recognized were Cassopolis Wrestling Club members, who had six wrestlers place at the recent MYWAY Tournament,

Business Manager James English reported on the second of the community long-term planning committee. The meeting was held at Cassopolis Middle School after the topic of the site came up multiple times during the first meeting. The committee toured the middle school before the meeting began. English described the meeting as “robust and interesting”, focusing on a variety of topics, including safety, security, athletics, and programming. He described the community as having a holistic view of the school system and how it can serve the community.

School board members noted that they are again coordinating so that each member has the chance to attend the committee meetings without running the risk of the board having a quorum.

The new Director of Special Education, Lynn Buchkowski, was recognized as a new hire. She comes from a background working at the Van Buren Intermediate School District for ten years, as well as Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools. She will be simultaneously serving both Cassopolis Schools and Marcellus Community Schools. She begins on July 1st.

The board unanimously approved two overnight trips. The boys golf team, which has been the conference champions for the past three years, will be taking three overnight trips to attend tournaments that their coach hopes will provide them with new challenges. The Future Farmers of America members will be taking an overnight trip to attend a leadership camp, where they will learn about officer duties and plan for the upcoming year.

The board received the first reading of nineteen spring policy updates. Many of the updates were technical or grammar changes based on consultation with Neola, Inc., who assists schools in crafting policies and meeting legal requirements. Many of the changes were related to matching state legislative changes on topics including weapons and superintendent evaluations. Also included were policies maintaining the district prohibition on referring or assisting students in obtaining abortions. Such policies are no longer required by Michigan law, but would be maintained if approved by the school board.

Graduation was announced for 7 p.m. May 30. That and other school events can be found on the calendar at cassopolis.k12.mi.us/calendar.

The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for Monday, May 20, 2024 at 5:30pm in the Cassopolis Ross Beatty High School Media Center. A legally required Budget Hearing will take place on June 17th at 5pm, just before the regular June meeting.