Schools

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 …

Members of the Colon Community Schools Board of Education this month will debate the merits of a plan being pitched as a prospective money-maker for the district. The concept of owning a self-serve ice and water dispenser was discussed during the board’s May meeting. The device would be the first of its kind in Michigan and only the second in …

The Centreville Public Schools Board of Education has agreed to offer Rob Kuhlman a one-year contract extension as superintendent. The decision was made Tuesday, when board members extended Kuhlman a salary of $80,200. With deferred compensation and cash in lieu of insurance, the district will pay $100,000 to retain Kuhlman for a sixth year in the 2015-16 academic year. Kuhlman’s …

Colon High School’s marching band will be sporting a fresh, new look in the fall. The combination of good timing and even better connections has helped the high school secure new band uniforms. Though the outfits are used, they are a major step up, according to principal Deb Swartz. Swartz said high school secretary Marianne Verner led the charge in …

Members of Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education have agreed to support a seminar class at the high school, effective in the 2015-16 school year. Seminar replaces computer-related technology and freshman focus as requirements for graduation; both will continue to be provided within the seminar. Seminar is a grade-level class designed to give students the opportunity to improve grades, work …

A former Three Rivers High School teacher who has pleaded no contest to a charge of misdemeanor embezzlement, has repaid $17,000 in restitution, according to St. Joseph County court officials. Thirty-three-year-old Sara Freeman, a Burr Oak resident, made the restitution payment before a Friday deadline last week. County Prosecutor John McDonough had set the restitution amount and May 22 deadline …

Two support-staff members were the first victims of Colon Community Schools’ employee-reduction plan. The next wave, which could include as many as five teachers, is expected to hit when the board conducts a special meeting in early June. During Monday’s regularly scheduled board meeting, district officials agreed to layoff high school secretary Marianne Verner and elementary teacher assistant Stacy Sult. …