Schools

An outbreak of the flu in Constantine Public Schools has prompted Superintendent Chuck Frisbie to close the district’s schools Tuesday and Wednesday. Frisbie said the 1,434-student district saw an absence rate of about 15 percent last week. On Monday, about 25 percent of Eastside Elementary’s population was absent, about 15 percent more than usual. Vomiting and children showing symptoms consistent …

Union faculty members at Glen Oaks Community College have issued a vote of no confidence in school president Gary Wheeler. The 23-4 vote was taken last week, with four of the college’s 31 union faculty members abstaining. The vote was brought to the attention of Glen Oaks’ board of trustees at its meeting Wednesday. Faculty union president Chad Worthington presented …

Congressman Fred Upton has announced his service academy nominees for the 2013-2014 academic year. According to a media release, the nominees have excelled both academically and athletically at their respective schools and have gone through an extensive selection process. The selection process included an interview with Upton’s Academy Advisory Board, which is comprised of local community leaders. Upon approval by …

Glen Oaks Community College is one of four Kalamazoo-area junior colleges to reach a reverse-transfer agreement with Western Michigan University. Signed earlier this month, the arrangement allows students who obtain credits at Glen Oaks and Western to combine credits from both schools and apply them toward an associate’s degree. In most cases, the agreement will benefit students who attend one …

A 17-year member of the Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education was recognized this week for his longevity to the seven-member board. John Rentfrow was issued a gift card and many thanks from board members. Rentfrow chose to not seek re-election last month and will be replaced by Carl Barth during the board’s January meeting.

Constantine Board of Education members will stage a special meeting next week to review policies and procedures stemming from the recent investigation of sexual conduct demonstrated by a pair of 5-year-old boys. Set for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday next week at the high school library, the parents-only meeting will include a look at policies such as the paid, temporary suspension of …

The Constantine Police Department has concluded the school-related portion of its investigation regarding sexual conduct demonstrated by two 5-year-old boys at Eastside Elementary. According to a department media release, results of the week-long investigation were reported to Constantine Public Schools Superintendent Chuck Frisbie. He said the classroom instructor resumed teaching duties Monday and there is no criminal negligence on her …

Thursday’s recount for a six-year term on the Colon Community Schools Board of Education did not change the results yielded after the Nov. 6 general election. Incumbent Eric Wagner, who finished third in a race for two seats, requested the recount in three precincts in light of his four-vote loss to second-place finisher Deb Bordner. The recount, which took place …

Constantine Public Schools Superintendent Chuck Frisbie on Tuesday sent a letter to parents of Eastside Elementary students and provided general information about a police investigation at the Pre-K-through-second-grade school. In the letter, Frisbie indicated the investigation centers on “incidents which may have occurred in a kindergarten classroom” at Eastside. Frisbie said parents of children from the classroom in question were …

​A teacher at Eastside Elementary in Constantine is on paid leave as a procedural measure while the Constantine Police Department conducts an investigation at the school. ​Superintendent Chuck Frisbie said he wasn’t at liberty to elaborate on the matter while the investigation remains active. He did say a 90-minute meeting took place privately with about 15 parents Monday night. ​Constantine …