Schools

The Centreville Public Schools Board of Education took action Tuesday that will eliminate 2 1/2 teaching positions, two classroom aides and a bus driver in the 2012-13 academic year. The special meeting drew more than 40 people, including almost two dozen students who have banded together to support one of the teacher casualties, media specialist Meredith Bunning. A 310-signature petition …

Glen Oaks Community College graduated 225 students Friday, as the class of 2012, its family members and friends gathered in the school’s gymnasium for the ceremony. About 150 of the graduates participated in the commencement exercise, which was led by school president Gary Wheeler. Also addressing the standing-room-only crowd were faculty member Michael Northrop, alumni Bruce Gosling and student Lynn …

The price of admission to musicals presented by Three Rivers High School will be lowered starting next year, a measure being taken following action taken this week by the district’s Board of Education. Superintendent Roger Rathburn said $15 for adults and $12 for students was found to be the highest among schools in the county as well as in the …

Sturgis High School is preparing its students – and their parents – for a technology advance in the 2012-13 academic year, when all high school students will be provided an iPad to use for the school year. Sessions staged Tuesday and Wednesday this week collectively drew more than 100 parents, who were given more information about security features that will …

A person well familiar with Three Rivers High School has been tapped to speak at next week’s senior honors night at the school. Father William Jacobs, known as Father J, spent 27 years as a teacher, assistant principal and principal at Three Rivers High School. He will be the keynote speaker at the 54th annual event at 7 p.m. Wednesday. …

The first of nine weekends for motorcycle-safety training takes place Friday at Sturgis High School. Offered through Glen Oaks Community College and overseen by state-certified trainer Robin Bordner, the program is partially funded by the Michigan Department of State. Cost per participant is $25 and classes are limited to 12 students per session. Though the program is offered nine different …

Rob Olsen, who retired last year as superintendent of Sturgis Public Schools, has been named to the Michigan Association of School Administrators Hall of Fame. The award recognizes a career of outstanding leadership and dedication. The 63-year-old Olsen, who currently works part time as an administrator for Portage Public Schools, was a unanimous selection by his peers from the region …

An art professor at Glen Oaks Community College has been selected as the recipient of the annual E.J. Shaheen Chair for Teaching Excellence Award. Michael Northrop, who joined the Centreville-area college in 2000 and became a full-time faculty member in 2005, was announced the 28th winner of the award. Northrop teaches art history, object drawing, two-dimensional design and several other …

Infrastructure improvements undertaken last year by Three Rivers Community Schools have netted the district an award. During this week’s board of education meeting, district officials were presented an Energy Efficiency Leader award from indoor comfort-systems provider Trane. John Atsma, area manager for Trane, presented the award, noting the $1.6 million in energy-efficiency improvements will eventually pay for itself. The company …

Glen Oaks Community College officials have made attendance at orientation for new students a requirement. Mandatory at any one of the six sessions begins with students new to the school effective with the start of the fall 2012 semester. Sessions last four hours and are offered on various days of the week and at various times of day starting with …