Schools

Key staffing positions were filled Tuesday for the county-backed College Access Network. The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners hired Ann Happel, Brian McDaniel and Anita Schlabach as service providers for the countywide program. College Access Network stemmed from the Sturgis SUCCESS program, which helps students become better prepared for secondary education, whether it’s at the community college level, a …

Public schools in St. Joseph County and the rest of Michigan begin the 2014-15 academic year today. In St. Joseph County, new superintendents can be found in Three Rivers and Colon, where Jean Logan and Vic Bugni, respectively, start the school year as leaders of their districts. Students in White Pigeon and Centreville will see the result of extensive work …

White Pigeon Community Schools has made official its short-term plan regarding the vacancy of its superintendent’s position. During Wednesday’s board of education meeting, district officials named high school principal Jon Keyer acting superintendent, while curriculum director Carrie Erlandson will assist by sharing duties equally, according to a motion approved by board members. Both Keyer and Erlandson have been with the …

  A former educator who worked in four area school districts waived preliminary examination Tuesday on three counts of alleged criminal sexual conduct involving young men. The case against Three Rivers resident David Wing, 59, was bound over to St. Joseph County Circuit Court for trial. No trial date has been set, pending a pretrial status conference. Wing is charged …

Ron Drzewicki’s employment as superintendent of Mason Public Schools is official, as the district’s board of education voted this week to offer a contract. The 50-year-old Drzewicki has served the past six years as superintendent of White Pigeon Community Schools. He was one of 23 applicants for the job as head of the 3,100-student district 15 miles south of Lansing. …

  Mark Olsen, coach of the White Pigeon golf team, has been named Michigan High School golf coach of the year. Given by the Michigan Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association, the award culminates a stellar season for Olesn and his squad, which went on to win the Division 4 state title in June. The coach-of-the-year award is Olsen’s second, as he …

  The St. Joseph County United Way and Sturgis Walmart are teaming up for a program that will benefit local students. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, the Sturgis Walmart will host “Fill the Bus,” a program, which provides school supplies and backpacks to area children. Bins are currently in place at the front of both entrances at the …

  A Burr Oak woman charged with possession of child sexually abusive material and using a computer to commit a crime is set for sentencing Sept. 29 in District Court after reaching a plea agreement last week. Meadow Marie Woodman, 33, pled guilty to contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Initial charges were dropped as part of Thursday’s agreement. …

Centreville’s Future Farmers of America judging team successfully competed at the Michigan 4-H/FFA meat-judging contest at Michigan State University July 25. The FFA team from Centreville placed first overall in the contest, earned a gold award and the right to represent Michigan at the National FFA Meat Evaluation competition in Louisville in October. Members of the team were Clay Decker …

  Constantine Public Schools superintendent Chuck Frisbie told the board of education Monday that he is retiring in two years. Furthermore, Frisbie said athletic director Mike Messner is retiring at the end of the 2014-15 academic year. Frisbie, a Colon native who turns 53 next month, has served as superintendent since July 2008 following a 20-year career at Mendon Community …