Sturgis

A 37-year-old teacher at Sturgis High School is on paid administrative leave pending a police investigation into allegations of criminal sexual conduct. The teacher was arrested Monday after a police investigation showed he allegedly had a sexual relationship with a student. A day later, St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough charged the suspect with one count of distributing or promoting …

Eliot Gitelman has been named 2016 recipient of the John E. Oster Award, an award that recognizes teaching excellence in the Sturgis Public Schools system. He was honored Monday during a meeting of Sturgis Rotary Club at Sturges-Young Auditorium. Gitelman has taught at Sturgis Public Schools since 1990, serving as orchestra instructor. Nomination forms received from colleagues, former students and …

Nicole Airgood, principal at Eastwood Elementary School in Sturgis, is among 58 elementary and middle school principals named as 2016 National Distinguished Principals by the National Association of Elementary School Principals. The recipients were honored last week at a banquet at Capital Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. The program recognizes public- and private-school principals who make superior contributions to their …

The cost for hot lunch in Sturgis Public Schools is going up. Business manager Ray Sterling said the district is required to raise lunch prices due to the Federal Paid Lunch Equity Program. The district next year plans to raise prices the minimum amount required, which is 5 cents per lunch. That makes the price at the high school, middle …

As part of GreenStone Farm Credit Services’ commitment to youth in agriculture, the cooperative recently awarded $40,000 in scholarships to 22 incoming college freshmen through the association’s scholarship program. Two area students were among the recipients of the scholarships. Loren King, currently homeschooled, plans to attend Michigan State University to pursue a dual degree in foreign agribusiness management and biosystems …

Sturgis Public Schools will once again offer a summer meal program. It will run June 13 through Aug. 19, except for the week of July 4. Free meals will be made available to ages 18 and under, or up to age 26 for people who are enrolled in an educational program for the mentally or physically disabled, if the program …

Students at Sturgis High School took part in a safe driving campaign recently and their collective effort paid off. The group of students who ran the campaign won first place out of 55 schools in Michigan during the competition. Strive for a Safer Drive is a public-private partnership between Ford Driving Skills for Life and the Michigan Office of Highway …

Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education will have five seats on the November election ballot. There are three six-year terms, one four-year term and one two-year term. Information for anyone interested in seeking a position is available at the superintendent’s office or by calling 659-1502. To be eligible to run for a school board position, a person must be a …

Superintendents in St. Joseph County’s two largest school districts received good news Monday. In Three Rivers, Jean Logan’s contract was extended an additional year. As a result, her contract will expire in June 2018. Logan, 51, is in her second year as head of the 2,600-student district and is paid $120,000 a year. In addition, the Three Rivers board approved …

The Youth Advisory Council of the Sturgis Area Community Foundation granted more than $20,000 to the community this month in support of programs and projects that serve youth. Grant recipients include Habitat for Humanity of St. Joseph County, which will receive $10,000 to support a new home built in collaboration with Sturgis High School building trade students; Sturgis Youth for …