Sturgis

The 2015-16 operating budget for Sturgis Public Schools was approved by district officials last week. The school district, which is St. Joseph County’s biggest at nearly 3,300 students, is in strong financial standing, according to Superintendent Tom Langdon. Projections from the board show a 15 percent fund equity, which allows Sturgis schools to make payroll without borrowing money to cover …

Sturgis Public Schools has announced Nicole Airgood will fill the principal position at Eastwood Elementary, succeeding Bob Matkin, who is retiring. Airgood has been the principal at Wall School since 2009 and prior to that was principal for four years at White Pigeon’s Central Elementary.

Members of Sturgis Public Schools Board of Education have agreed to support a seminar class at the high school, effective in the 2015-16 school year. Seminar replaces computer-related technology and freshman focus as requirements for graduation; both will continue to be provided within the seminar. Seminar is a grade-level class designed to give students the opportunity to improve grades, work …

The Sturgis Area Community Foundation has awarded six mini-grants to Sturgis Public Schools. Various teachers who were recipients of the grants indicated to the district’s board of education the use of their grant money. Teacher Mackenzie Adams said her $250 grant will go toward Thursday morning athletic trainer taping workshops at Sturgis High School. Pandora Day at Eastwood Elementary received …

State police said 56 Michigan public school districts – including Sturgis Public Schools – will get a share of $4 million in funding to boost school safety. The money announced last week will be used to purchase equipment and technology to improve the safety and security of school buildings, students and staff. Grant recipients have until Sept. 15 to spend …

Sturgis High School senior Cleanna Crabill was chosen as one of 16,000 academically talented students nationwide as a semifinalist for the National Merit Scholarship Program. In order to qualify as a semifinalist, Crabill participated in the 2013 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, which serves as an initial screen for program entrants. Her scores have placed her in the nationwide …

Details about the St. Joseph County College Access Network were provided recently during a meeting of the St. Joseph County School Board Association. Tracy Harker and Claudia Pahls reported that the College Access Network, which stems from Sturgis Public Schools’ SUCCESS program and strives to help students find their way to college, is now a countywide program thanks to the …

State Rep. Aaron Miller, a high school teacher by trade, plans a busy month of March to help promote March Is Reading Month. Miller plans on reading to students in five different St. Joseph County school districts at various points during the month. His itinerary includes March 2 at Eastwood School in Sturgis; March 6 at Colon Elementary; March 9 …

With nine snow days already in the books – three more than the state allows – Sturgis Public Schools will introduce a revised daily schedule that goes into effect next week. Every building in the district will add 20 minutes daily as a way of not extending the school year. Superintendent Tom Langdon said Michigan public schools are granted six …

Sturgis Public Schools’ Board of Education has detailed the successful sale of its 2015 refunding bonds, Series A, in the amount of about $25.3 million and 2015 refunding bonds, Series B, for about $10.6 million. The Series A bonds are being issued for the purpose of refunding that portion of the school district’s outstanding 2005 refunding bonds. Series A bonds …