Schools

Masks are mandatory in a southwestern Michigan school district after officials set the policy in an unusual way: They took a vote of the people. Parents, guardians and staff in the Pennfield district voted for masks, starting Monday and lasting through Feb. 18. There were 1,041 votes, and about 58% were in favor. Masks to reduce the risk of COVID-19 …

Three Rivers Community Schools interim superintendent Nikki Nash said three of the district’s six schools will switch from in-person learning to a virtual format starting today and lasting through next week. Students at the district’s high school, middle school and Hoppin Elementary will return to in-person learning Jan. 31. Nash said the district in the past few weeks has seen …

Michigan State University now is requiring proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID-19 test to attend athletic, music, art and theater events on the East Lansing campus. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the event will be required of all attendees ages 12 and older, the university said. Persons who cannot provide …

Results of a student-satisfaction survey were recently reviewed by the Glen Oaks Community College Board of Trustees. Tammy Russell, executive director of institutional planning, assessment and research for the college, presented the findings. About 25 percent of Glen Oaks students participated in the survey. Russell explained approximately 59,000 students across the nation participated in the Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory, …

Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education members have started the process of filling Scott Swihart’s vacant seat on the board. Swihart resigned from the board of education because of an increase in out-of-town work responsibilities. Swihart’s resignation was effective Dec. 10. The vacant position that the appointed person will fill ends Dec. 31, 2022. The deadline for anyone interested in …

Michigan’s health and education departments on Thursday urged schools to postpone or make virtual large gatherings, including sporting events, if they are not “essential” — as COVID-19 cases spike across the state. The recommendation, intended to keep schools open when classes resume after the winter break next week, was included in a letter to K-12 superintendents and charter school directors. Large events …

Glen Oaks Community College Board of Trustees has approved a capital-outlay project three years in the making. The board’s vote earlier this month was the final step to set the project in motion. The college’s $7.3 million capital outlay project includes renovation to the north side of campus, including E.J. Shaheen Library, the art studio, classrooms, restrooms and foyer. Also …

Michigan public schools can use non-teaching staff as substitute teachers the rest of the academic year under a law designed to address a shortage during the coronavirus pandemic. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Monday that she signed the bill last week, calling it a “temporary stopgap” in a letter to lawmakers. It lets secretaries, paraprofessionals and other school employees without a teaching certificate work as …

A ban on Pride flags in classrooms at Three Rivers Community Schools has been lifted until further notice. The decision to allow the display of such flags was made during Monday’s four-hour Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education meeting. Following a closed session lasting more than two hours, board members agreed to allow flags to be hung in classrooms, …

A 15-year-old boy has been charged with murder and terrorism for a shooting that killed four fellow students and injured others at a Michigan high school. Authorities on Wednesday revealed that his parents were summoned just a few hours before the bloodshed. No motive was offered by Oakland County authorities, a day after violence at Oxford High School. But sheriff’s …