Schools

Nottawa Township officials wish to thank its residents for approving a request in support of a three-quarters-of-a-mill increase. The six-year millage will generate about $95,000 in its first year and be used specifically for fire and emergency services. The money will be earmarked for administration, operations, equipment and provision of ambulance services. The request passed, 302 in favor to 174 …

Students in the welding program at Glen Oaks Community College are working with more than 3,000 pounds of metal and aluminum recently donated by Morgan Olson. Alyse Bannister, GOCC welding instructor, said market value for the metal is in excess of $2,000. She noted the college is grateful for Morgan Olson’s donation, as it allows students to practice more freely on …

Centreville Public Schools Board of Education members last week approved TowerPinkster as the architect of record for 2019-20, as the district looks to enter phase 3 of a bond project. Superintendent Stephanie Lemmer and board president Jeff Troyer, however, will meet with TowerPinkster regarding concerns the district had in the first two phases of the project, such as drainage issues …

Constantine Public Schools Board of Education voted Monday to offer a contract to Jim Wiseley as principal at the middle school. Wisley was one of two finalists interviewed at the meeting; the other was Kristina Crabill. Wiseley worked as a teacher and coach at Gobles Public Schools. He later went into administration and was hired as assistant principal and athletic …

Sturgis Public Schools governance team recently completed an evaluation of Superintendent Art Ebert. The board assessed Ebert in 11 areas, including student growth, mission and vision, goals and expectations, processes and procedures, internal and external stakeholder relations, and communications and media relations. The board rated Ebert effective in five of the focus areas and highly effective in six of the focus areas, …

The Centreville school board has rated superintendent Stephanie Lemmer “highly effective” and extended her contract through 2021. The 37-year-old Lemmer received an overall evaluation score of 91 percent. Board president Jeff Troyer said that over the past year, Lemmer showed growth in labor relations and staff relations. Financial terms of Lemmer’s contract call for a two percent base salary increase, to …

Members of the Centreville Public Schools Board of Education approved some personnel matters Monday. The board approved hiring Laura Schmidt as elementary school social worker and appointed elementary librarian Mary Beals as the high school’s summer school teacher. Board members renewed coaching contracts for Shawn Hulin, girls’ track; Mike Hunter, boys’ track; Stephen Larsen, golf; and Scott Logan, softball. Baseball …

Indiana Michigan Power has presented grants totaling nearly $40,000 to 27 teachers and schools – including 15 in Michigan – to promote education and improve student achievement. Teachers and schools receiving the grants are in the I&M service area or in communities with major I&M facilities. The “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology” robotics grants are for teams …

Ben Fries, an adviser at Glen Oaks Community College, recently received the Phi Theta Kappa Distinguished Chapter Advisor Award for the Michigan region. The award, presented at the regional PTK conference at Glen Oaks, recognizes advisors who demonstrate an atmosphere of teamwork, leadership abilities and enthusiasm for the society’s hallmarks. He was nominated by members of the Glen Oaks chapter. Fries, …

Michelle McNamara, professor of communications at Glen Oaks Community College, has been selected to receive the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Suanne Davis Roueche Faculty Conference Scholarship. McNamara is one of five recipients in the nation to receive the award, which reflects NISOD’s mission of promoting and celebrating excellence in teaching, learning and leadership at community and technical …