Schools

Researchers say an anonymously funded free college tuition program for high school graduates of the Kalamazoo Public Schools has helped increase college graduation rates. The Kalamazoo Gazette reports a new study finds students eligible for the Kalamazoo Promise are a third more likely to graduate college within six years of finishing high school versus their peers before the program was …

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.

Organizers of an annual run and walk in memory of a fallen White Pigeon soldier have released details about the 2015 event. The 1Lt. Jonathan Edds Memorial Classic 5K and 1K run and walk takes place July 11 as a part of White Pigeon Days. The sixth annual event is a fundraiser to support the Edds Foundation, which awards cash …

State Rep. Aaron Miller last week praised Gov. Rick Snyder for signing a fiscally responsible budget that increases funding for classrooms and continues to build a solid public-safety foundation. Miller, chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State Police, said the 2015-2016 budget pays down debt while prioritizing spending for transportation, education and law enforcement. Miller said the budget, after …

A 20-year veteran has been chosen to fill a vacancy on the Three Rives Community Schools Board of Education. During a special meeting last week, board members selected Susan Schmidtendorff to fill the remaining term created by Dave Kutz’s vacancy. Kutz recently resigned his seat, citing conflicts with work. Six people in all applied for the spot, though Dan Tomlinson …

Four staff members were the latest victims of Colon Community Schools’ financial woes. Members of the district’s board of education Monday laid off science teacher Darrin VandenBerg, social studies teacher Matt Swanwick, English and Spanish teacher Staci Hofer, and early childhood special education teacher Erin Gose. VandenBerg, a 10-year employee and former athletic director, also coached the school’s varsity football …

Members of the Colon Community Schools Board of Education have decided to pursue a permanent, full-time superintendent. The decision, made at Monday’s regularly scheduled board meeting, means the proposal of working out a deal with Bronson Community Schools to share the services of its superintendent, Teresa Belote, is temporarily off the table. Board member Rebecca Stoll said as long as …

Members of the Mendon Community Schools Board of Education agreed this week to hire Roger Rathburn on an interim basis for the 2015-16 academic year. During its regularly scheduled meeting Monday, the board supported a motion that will bring aboard Rathburn to replace Rob Kuhlman. The Mendon board earlier this year voted 4-3 to not renew Kuhlman’s contract, a measure …

Centreville High School’s baseball team came up one win short of a state championship, as the Bulldogs were beaten Saturday in the state’s Division 4 title game, 10-to-8 by Muskegon Catholic Central. Nonetheless, Centreville finished with a 29-and-2 record, its best season in school history. The Bulldogs made it to the championship game by defeating Rudyard, 2-to-1, the day before …

Members of the Mendon Community Schools Board of Education plan to hire Roger Rathburn on an interim basis for the 2015-16 academic year. The district during its 6 p.m. meeting Monday is expected to formalize the agreement that will bring aboard Rathburn to replace Rob Kuhlman. The Mendon board earlier this year voted 4-3 to not renew Kuhlman’s contract, a …