Meet the new board, same as the old board.

The community had a chance to meet the “new” Dowagiac Union Schools Board of Education during its first meeting since Election Day. During the meeting, Superintendent Paul Hartsig swore-in the four people who were re-elected to serve on the seven-person board: Board President Larry Schmidt, Vice President Ruth Ausra, Secretary Claudia Zebell and Trustee Ronda Sullivan.

The four incumbents were elected by district to serve another four-year term on the board during the election Nov. 8. All four ran unopposed for the seats.

Their terms on the board expire in December 2020.

“We really do appreciate the time and energy you put into your position,” Hartsig said, during the ceremony Monday night. “We thank you for your care for the community and the children of this district.”

The four rejoin the members of the board who were not up for re-election this year, including Treasurer Doug Kolmodin and trustees Phyllis Sarabyn and Ronald Jones. The three were all elected to the school board in 2014, ousting the three incumbents serving at the time.

Their terms are set to expire in December 2018.