Schools

School officials in White Pigeon and Constantine can start planning a variety of projects, as voters in the two school systems approved proposals Tuesday. Meanwhile, a sinking-fund millage request sought by Sturgis Public Schools failed Tuesday, the second defeat in less than nine months. In White Pigeon, a funding source that generates nearly $5 million over its five-year life was …

Glen Oaks Community College has announced the promotion of Morgan Balcom to head women’s basketball coach. Balcom takes the reins after Michael Mosley stepped down from the position in early February. Balcom has fielded the head-coaching responsibilities in an interim role since that time. “Morgan has done an exceptional job since being put in a tough position in February,” according …

Glen Oaks Community College Board of Trustees last week honored the college’s 2017 Presidential Scholarship recipients. They are Carly Kyle of Burr Oak, Robert Frederick of Centreville, Daniel Alva of Colon, Brooke VanZoest of Mendon, Nathan Moore of Sturgis, Jonathan Knautz of White Pigeon, Emmalee Overmyer of Elkhart Christian, and Leora Schwartz of Hoosier Academy Virtual. In unrelated action trustees …

The Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education recently voted unanimously to proceed with tenure charges pursuant to the Teachers’ Tenure Act against Keith Lang. Lang, a tenured teacher, was arrested and charged with multiple counts of fourth- degree criminal sexual conduct and other criminal charges. In a separate vote, board members voted unanimously to place Lang’s salary into escrow and …

Colon Elementary School recently received a donation from the Colon Masonic Lodge Tuesday for a fourth-grade trip to Lansing. The group supports the outing each year with a $500 check to help offset expenses. Principal Martha Hymer said the trip takes the abstract teaching of state government and gives students a hands-on experience. The fourth-graders will tour government buildings and …

Glen Oaks Community College Board of Trustees members voted recently to move forward with a preliminary USDA loan application for renovations to the campus. The vote followed a presentation by Eduardo LeBlanc of TMP Architecture, who presented a summary of work the firm has been conducting over the last eight weeks. During that time, four vision planning sessions were held, …

Mendon High School senior Mary Leighton recently was named one the 32 Michigan High School Athletic Association Scholar Athletes. She was honored as a recipient of the MHSAA’s Scholar-Athlete Award at the 2017 boys basketball finals at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing March 25. Leighton, one of only four Class D recipients, will receive a $1,000 …

Centreville Public Schools made official this week the employment of its next superintendent. Board members Monday offered and officially accepted a contract with Stephanie Lemmer. A Portage native, Lemmer will replace Rob Kuhlman after he concludes a seven-year tenure as superintendent in June. Lemmer, 34, has served as director of Head Start at Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency since 2013. …

Mary Lou Falkenstein, citing health reasons, tendered her resignation from the Glen Oaks Community College Board of Trustees. Her resignation will take effect March 20. Falkenstein served on the board for 4 1/2 years. Thursday, a $500 scholarship was announced to be awarded to a Glen Oaks student during the 2017-18 school year in her honor. GOCC is looking to …

The second annual Safe Driving Campaign: Wildcats ADAPT is being moved from Wednesday this week to next Wednesday, March 22. This is the third event in the campaign this year, which will feature a school assembly car crash and helicopter rescue demonstration. Three Rivers fire and a local helicopter rescue team will coordinate a car crash scene and helicopter landing …