Schools

A recent economic and investment analysis concluded that Glen Oaks Community College significantly contributes to both the local economy and the lives of its students, according to a comprehensive study conducted for the fiscal year 2021-22. The study, leveraging data from GOCC’s academic and financial reports and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Census Bureau, …

Mendon Community Schools Board of Education can start its three-phase construction planning, as district voters Tuesday approved a millage-renewal request. Superintendent Leasa Griffith-Matthews said the district was seeking renewal of 8 mills over a six-year period. The $20 million proposal passed, 298 in favor to 182 opposed. Griffith-Matthews said several improvements on tap will include an addition at the middle/high …

Officials with White Pigeon Community Schools will have to assess what to do next after a millage renewal request was turned down Tuesday. At stake was renewal of eighty-five hundredths of a mill, amounting to about $2 million. Superintendent Shelly McBride said she is disappointed with the outcome and will await direction from the district’s board of education to determine …

Organizers of last month’s Three Rivers Area Mentoring’s annual walleye dinner and silent auction report the event was a success. The $17-per-person meal was held March 23. TRAM Executive Director Todd Bannon said more than $5,000 was raised after expenses. He said about 150 people took part and more than 80 items were donated for the silent auction. Proceeds from …

A Three Rivers teacher and a paraprofessional were recently recognized by the St. Joseph County Parent Advisory Committee. Young 5s teacher Brea Bennett was honored as PAC’s “Teacher of the Year,” while Nichole Sturwold was named “Support Staff Employee of the Year.” They received recognition April 8 at Andrews Elementary by PAC member Tawnya Fleckenstein. Bennett and Sturwold will be …

Glen Oaks Community College later this week will host a ceremonial ribbon-cutting to recognize the completion of one project and the start of another. Set for 10 a.m. Thursday, the fanfare celebrates the end of the school’s north campus renovation project. Meanwhile, college officials will mark the beginning of the south campus renovation project. Funding for the $7.3 million renovation …

The St. Joseph County Career & Technical Education (CTE) Consortium recognizes several students who were recently nominated by their instructors for their outstanding performance during the first semester. These students have distinguished themselves among their peers by demonstrating dedication, perseverance and commitment in their CTE programs.  Instructors commonly describe these students as having a strong work ethic, within and outside …

Three Rivers Community Schools Superintendent Nikki Nash earned a rating of “effective” following her annual evaluation. Board of Education members approved the evaluation Dec. 18. Areas in the evaluation included professional practice, student growth and progress toward district goals. Her overall rating was 3.33 on a 4-point scale. The mark is higher than her evaluation score of 3.21 a year …

Glen Oaks Community College has announced the hiring of its new executive director of communications and marketing. Denise DeVries is joining the college, replacing Valorie Juergens. Juergens is retiring in January after more than 11 years with the school. A Portage resident, DeVries was previously the senior manager of marketing and communications for Special-Lite Inc., a custom commercial-door manufacturer in …

Burr Oak Community Schools taxpayers Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a renewal request centering on a sinking fund. Renewal of a nearly 3-mill amount came in the form of 127 votes in favor to 35 against. Projected to raise about $160,000 annually over the course of its four-year life, the newly approved sinking fund will take effect in 2025. District officials said …