Schools

Colon Community Schools will continue to receive money from the 18 mills it levies on non-homestead properties. A 10-year request to renew the operating millage passed Tuesday, 286 to 119. Board of education president Ernie Baker said the district realizes about $850,000 annually from the 18 mills, which are paid by owners of the seasonal and second homes on many …

A pair of St. Joseph County football teams remains in the state playoffs, while Cassopolis and Schoolcraft also picked up wins in the opening-round to continue their seasons. In Division 8, Mendon routed Eau Claire, 67-to-0 Saturday, to up its season record to 10-and-0. The Hornets will play for a district title at 1 p.m. Saturday, when they host 9-and-1 …

Nominations are being accepted for the 2013-14 John E. Oster Award for outstanding teaching and community service by a Sturgis Public Schools teacher. Now in its 33rd year, the award is in honor of the late John E. Oster, a Sturgis attorney who placed high value on education and community service. Sturgis school district residents who wish to nominate a …

A weekend of high school football playoffs is on tap and six area teams will be in action. Four games take place at 7 o’clock tonight: Sturgis, with a 5-and-4 record, is at 8-and-1 St. Joseph; 8-and-1 Schoolcraft takes on 8-and-1 Niles Brandywine in Niles; six-win St. Joseph Lake Michigan Catholic is at Cassopolis to face the 6-and-3 Rangers; and …

The Sturgis varsity soccer team saw its best season ever come to an end Wednesday in Plainwell. The Trojans, who were making their first-ever appearance in the Class B Final Four of the state tournament, bowed out to Spring Lake, 2-to-1. The game was tied at1 going into the final minute of play before the Lakers sealed the win on …

It appears Rob Kuhlman will remain in place as superintendent of Mendon Community Schools and Centreville Public Schools. In his fourth year as a dual superintendent, Kuhlman was one of four potential candidates for the top post at Paw Paw Community Schools. On Friday, however, Paw Paw district officials said the 57-year-old Kuhlman was not one of the two finalists. …

Six area football teams, including four from St. Joseph County, qualified for the 2013 state playoffs. Pairings were announced Sunday and starting with Division 3, Sturgis managed to make the cut despite not reaching the six-win level. The 5-and-4 Trojans will play at 8-and-1 St. Joseph. In Division 6, Constantine kept its playoff streak alive, as the 5-and-4 Falcons travel …

Annette Smitley has been named the St. Joseph County Intermediate School District employee of the year. An educational consultant, Smitley plays a key role in professional development for new teachers as well as mentor training. Other nominees for the award were school nurse Kim Robertson, speech therapist Lynelle Garvey, assistant instructor Karrie Frederick and office assistant Mandy Dodson.

Rob Kuhlman is one of four finalists for the position of superintendent of Paw Paw Community Schools. Currently superintendent of Mendon Community Schools and Centreville Public Schools, the 57-year-old Kuhlman was the first of the four finalists to be interviewed, as he met with district officials Wednesday evening. An interview with another candidate followed, and the other two finalists will …

Student Count Day in Michigan took place earlier this month, and figures from St. Joseph County show only one of its nine districts realized a student increase from last year’s October count. Colon Community Schools grew from 638 students to 640 between the October 2012 count and this year’s count, conducted Oct. 2. Proportionate to size, the biggest decreases were …