Millage request

Superintendents from St. Joseph County’s nine school districts are being asked to consider the validity of a countywide school millage request.

During a meeting involving school board members from across the county last week at Burr Oak High School, the question was revisited after being originally raised during a countywide meeting in October.

While the amount potentially being sought has not been discussed, the cost to stage a countywide request was the focus of last week’s meeting.

Pete Bennett, a member of the Three Rivers Community Schools Board of Education, said the cost to stage a campaign to promote such a request in a non-election year would range from $88,000 to $176,000. That includes $30,000 to conduct a special election in a non-election year, such as 2013.

A simple survey to gauge support from the public would cost about $16,000, a cost the St. Joseph County Intermediate School District offered to cover.

Superintendents have been asked to render their opinions by the end of the month on whether to continue to pursue the matter.

Marijuana-laced candy at high school

An anonymous tip to the Three Rivers Police Department has prompted an investigation into marijuana-laced candy at Three Rivers High School.

According to the Three Rivers Police Department, an officer was dispatched to the school Friday in response to a report of two students possessing marijuana-laced candy. The two students indicated they purchased the candy from another student, and other students from the school were using the drug-laced candy.

The matter remains under investigation.

Schools re-organizational meetings

The two largest school districts in St. Joseph County conducted their re-organizational meetings this week.

In Sturgis, Geoff Smith was named president of its board of education. Tom Robertson was assigned vice president and Ann Bird secretary. Ray Sterling will serve as treasurer.

In Three Rivers, board members returned Susan Schmidtendorff as president, Mike Bosma as vice president and Waneta Truckey as secretary. Pete Bennett will serve as treasurer.

Academy nominees named

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 the board, the students’ names were then passed on to Upton, who then officially nominated the students to our nation’s military academies.

The individual academies will make the final decisions on military appointments. All applicants to military academies must be nominated by a member of Congress, the president, or vice president.

Area students nominated by Upton are Kathryn Hawkins, of Three Rivers High School, for the U.S. Air Force Academy, and William Fry, of Sturgis High School, for the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

Rentfrow recognized for longevity

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.

New traffic pattern at Andrews Elementary

The city of Three Rivers and Three Rivers Community Schools have collaborated to develop a new traffic pattern at Andrews Elementary.

City officials said the section of South Street, between Douglas and Grant avenues, is now one-way in an eastbound direction only. In addition, parking is allowed only on the stretch of South Street adjacent to the school.

Also, there is now a four-way stop at the intersection of Grant Avenue, South Street and the school’s north side parking lot.

Furthermore, the city has now imposed no parking or stopping on the west side of Douglas.

The changes are in effect immediately.

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