Schools

Four staff members were the latest victims of Colon Community Schools’ financial woes. Members of the district’s board of education Monday laid off science teacher Darrin VandenBerg, social studies teacher Matt Swanwick, English and Spanish teacher Staci Hofer, and early childhood special education teacher Erin Gose. VandenBerg, a 10-year employee and former athletic director, also coached the school’s varsity football …

Members of the Colon Community Schools Board of Education have decided to pursue a permanent, full-time superintendent. The decision, made at Monday’s regularly scheduled board meeting, means the proposal of working out a deal with Bronson Community Schools to share the services of its superintendent, Teresa Belote, is temporarily off the table. Board member Rebecca Stoll said as long as …

Members of the Mendon Community Schools Board of Education agreed this week to hire Roger Rathburn on an interim basis for the 2015-16 academic year. During its regularly scheduled meeting Monday, the board supported a motion that will bring aboard Rathburn to replace Rob Kuhlman. The Mendon board earlier this year voted 4-3 to not renew Kuhlman’s contract, a measure …

Centreville High School’s baseball team came up one win short of a state championship, as the Bulldogs were beaten Saturday in the state’s Division 4 title game, 10-to-8 by Muskegon Catholic Central. Nonetheless, Centreville finished with a 29-and-2 record, its best season in school history. The Bulldogs made it to the championship game by defeating Rudyard, 2-to-1, the day before …

Members of the Mendon Community Schools Board of Education plan to hire Roger Rathburn on an interim basis for the 2015-16 academic year. The district during its 6 p.m. meeting Monday is expected to formalize the agreement that will bring aboard Rathburn to replace Rob Kuhlman. The Mendon board earlier this year voted 4-3 to not renew Kuhlman’s contract, a …

The Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education has named a temporary, interim superintendent while Jean Logan recovers from a health-related issue. Board president Mike Bosma said Dennis Patzer, who retired a year ago after serving 12 years as chief of Otsego Public Schools, will serve in the capacity for at least a few weeks. Bosma said the duration could …

A representative from the group TR Cares turned in petition language for the recall of three members of the Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education. Sherrie Nowicki on Monday submitted to county clerk Pattie Bender the petition language regarding board president Mike Bosma, vice president Waneta Truckey and secretary Carl Barth. A fourth member, Dave Kutz, was to be …

A recently assembled group is working on petition language in hopes of recalling four members of the Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education. Members of TR Cares are targeting Waneta Truckey, Carl Barth, David Kutz and board president Mike Bosma. Board members Erin Nowak, Diana DeGraaf and Pete Bennett are not eligible to be recalled because they are within …

Two weeks after Colon Board of Education members debated the idea of a shared superintendent with Bronson Community Schools, their counterparts in Bronson had an opportunity Monday to further discuss the potential arrangement. Jay Newman, interim superintendent of Colon Community Schools, presented the possibility of the two districts sharing the services of superintendent Teresa Belote. Newman said both districts attend …

Western Michigan University trustees have approved a 3.2 percent increase in tuition and fees as part of a $388 million general fund budget for the coming fiscal year. The board of the Kalamazoo school approved the spending plan Wednesday. It covers the 12 months that begin July 1. The budget is up 2.6 percent from the current fiscal year and …