LANSING – Michigan recently became the 39th U.S. state to enact a law that regulates sports concussions and return to athletic activity. While the law goes into full effect on June 30, 2013, the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has launched a website with resources for coaches, parents, and athletes with educational resources and online training courses from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) “Head’s Up” Program. “Concussions are a very serious … [Read more...]
Rochester to beef up school security
February 12, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Can you put a price on school safety? In the wake of the December elementary-school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, the answer, clearly, is ‘no.’ On Monday, the Rochester Board of Education unanimously approved an expenditure of up to $179,143 for a video intercom access system and expanded door card reader system at the district’s elementary and middle schools, ACE and RACE buildings. The systems are expected to be installed no later than spring break. The recommendation came from … [Read more...]
New school superintendent starts March 1
February 6, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The Rochester Board of Education and Robert Shaner have reached agreement on a contract that will make Shaner the district’s new superintendent of schools starting March 1. The board approved the three-year contract Feb. 4. It will pay Shaner a base salary of $182,800 per year. His performance will be reviewed annually. Shaner, who lives in Shelby Township, brings experience that includes stints as a police officer and investigator and in the Marines. He is currently employed as … [Read more...]
2 Rochester schools win ‘green’ grants
January 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Through March 15, Rochester Hills residents who participate in the Recyclebank program can donate their earned points to help two local elementary schools receive a Green Schools Grant. Long Meadow and University Hills have been selected as Recyclebank Green Schools and are competing with 27 others across the United States. Recyclebank will give the schools $1 for every 250 points donated up to $2,500. Part of the money will be matched by Domtar, a national paper company. “This is the … [Read more...]
New school superintendent to be named Thursday
January 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment
If all goes according to plan, the Rochester board of education will select its next superintendent of schools Thursday. The two finalists for the job are David Richards, the current superintendent of Fraser Public Schools, and Robert Shaner, executive director of instruction and technology at the Warren Consolidated School District. The two rose to the top from the 26 people who applied for the job. Four candidates were interviewed in the first round on the recommendation of the … [Read more...]
Rochester schools considering more security
December 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment
In the wake of last week’s mass killing in a Connecticut elementary school, Rochester Community Schools is discussing adding a new security system to control building access. At Monday’s board of education meeting, interim superintendent Tresa Zumsteg said the district’s crisis team had met that morning to discuss what the district is doing well and what could be improved. “The one thing people felt strongly about is they do want to have our entrances where they relock after … [Read more...]
School board names 4 superintendent candidates
December 18, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Twenty-six people applied to be the next superintendent of Rochester Community Schools. Four of them will be interviewed by the board of education over two nights starting Jan. 7. The four candidates were recommended by the district’s superintendent search consultant, School Exec Connect, which has already interviewed all 26 applicants. The four are: Robert A. Martin, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, West Bloomfield School District. A Rochester Hills resident, … [Read more...]
Rochester to begin limited Schools of Choice
December 11, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Next semester, Rochester Community Schools will begin admitting a small number of nonresident students in order to receive a bump in state funding. The board of education voted unanimously Monday to open six slots for out-of-district students who live In Oakland County. Three will be in the ACE alternative high school; the other three will be in the Seat Time Waiver program, which is operated by ACE. By adding Schools of Choice to its offerings, the district stands to receive an additional … [Read more...]
School board narrows field to 5
December 4, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Five people who are interested in filling a vacancy on the Rochester Board of Education have been invited to return for a second interview. The finalists are Sherry Wynn Purdue, Gary Tucker, Kelly Borowski, Michael Zabat and Brian Kirksey. They were chosen Monday night from among 15 people who applied to fill the remainder of the term of Gerald Moore, who resigned. At a special meeting Monday, the board interviewed the candidates. The finalists will be back Dec. 5 for the second and final … [Read more...]
Educators sound alarm over lame-duck school bills
December 4, 2012 by Leave a Comment
A series of bills pending in the state legislature that would make huge changes in how schools are run and funded appears to be on the fast track for passage before the legislative session expires this month. The bills would create a new statewide Education Achievement Authority with a goal “to expand the number and types of public entities permitted to operate … public schools.” They would also allow for new conversion schools, moving low-achieving public schools to new management by … [Read more...]
