Schools

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. …

Bus service for students in Colon Community Schools in the fall will be provided by a Lansing-based company, as the district’s board of education voted Monday to outsource its transportation department. The agreement with Dean Transportation is expected to save Colon about $158,000 annually, according to district officials. As part of its agreement, Dean Transportation will purchase all 14 of …

A shared superintendent with Bronson Community Schools is an option members of the Colon Community Schools Board of Education have agreed to investigate. The seven-member board Monday decided to consider a partnership with its neighboring district and its first-year leader, Teresa Belote (buh-LOAT). The measure was endorsed as Colon Community Schools is searching for a new school chief after Vic …

Glen Oaks Community College President David Devier received a positive evaluation Wednesday from members of the college’s board of trustees. According to a school media release, board members met in closed session to review a recently completed performance evaluation of Devier. Utilizing a five-point system, Devier received an overall grade of 4.18. He was evaluated in six broad categories of …

Glen Oaks Community College presented a number of faculty awards during its 47th graduation ceremony last week. The Distinguished Alumni Award was given to Terry Conklin of Burr Oak. Conklin attended Glen Oaks, part-time, for several years, working his way through while playing baseball, golf and track. Conklin completed his bachelor’s degree at Grand Valley State University then began his …

A Three Rivers Middle School faculty member was named the district’s 2015 Educator of the Year. During last week’s annual Senior Honors Night, Alicia Turner was announced as the recipient of the annual honor. Turner, a 10-year employee of the Three Rivers district, teaches middle school math. She previously was a fifth-grade teacher at Park Elementary. Committee members charged with …

Pam Carrel, Glen Oaks Community College instructor of nursing, has been selected as the recipient of the 2015-16 E. J. Shaheen Teaching Excellence Award. Announcement of the award was made by school President David Devier during the 47th Glen Oaks graduation ceremony Friday. When Carrel enrolled at Glen Oaks Community College in 1978 she was set on becoming a marching …