Young writers honored

Clarkston Optimists honored top writers in their International Essay Contest. The Clarkston High School students wrote about “How dreams lead to success,” and read them to the Optimists, family, and friends at their March 19 breakfast meeting. First place winner Erin McNeil wrote about how setting new goals and dreams lead to future success….

Author explores stories ‘Behind the Mask?

Three years after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, Lavonne Upton continues to struggle with symptoms like tremors and fatigue, but she hasn’t let the neuromuscular disease slow her down too much. “It isn’t stopping my life,” said Upton, former Clarkston resident whose children, including stepson Dave Reschke, former Clarkston schools administrator, still live in the […]

Actor overcomes injuries to return to stage

For Vincent Rutley of Clarkston, a traffic accident on I-75 in 2011 broke his back but not his spirit. “Rehabilitation is going great,” said Rutley, 29. “A lot of work on my core ? that’s the hardest to get back.” After the accident, he was told by doctors he would never again walk, sit up, […]

3 vie for 2 seats on school board

When Stephen Hyer was elected in 2001, some trustees were on Clarkston Board of Education longer than he was alive. ‘Janet Thomas had 26 years on the board,? said Hyer, who was 22 years old at the time. ‘That’s a lot of experience.? Now after two four-year terms and into his third as board president, […]

3 vie for 2 seats on school board

Helping out at Andersonville Elementary School two years ago, Michelle Beck saw effects budget cuts have in the classroom first-hand. She didn’t like them. ‘The district lost a math enrichment person, a reading enrichment person ? large drastic cuts,? said Beck, running for Clarkston Board of Education, her first elected position. ‘I think it’s really […]

3 vie for 2 seats on school board

Rosalie Lieblang’s experience as PTA president at Bailey Lake Elementary gives her an inside perspective of challenges students face. Her career in cost-benefit analysis and process redesign would help her solve them, she said. ‘If elected to the school board, I’d be very interested in new programs and ideas to attract and retain students,? she […]

Phil in the Blank, A column by Phil Custodio

This is the time of year when grass starts growing again, leaves bud, and the air warms. A time to warm a Michigander’s heart after a long, cold winter. For many teachers, however, the end of April brings another sign ? the less-than-cheerful arrival of the pink slip. Due to state law and employee contracts, […]

$1M surplus kicks off long-term school finance planning

Part 5 on Clarkston schools’ new five-year Strategic Plan is on its fourth focus area, Finance. Clarkston schools’ second amended budget shows $1 million surplus. How to use those extra funds is what the Strategic Plan is all about, officials say. “We need to have meaningful dialogue to understand all our needs in the district […]

Women’s Club celebrates 60 years of service

Clarkston Community Women’s Club celebrates its 60th anniversary with a community tea, 2-4 p.m., Saturday, April 12, at the Clarkston Independence Library. ‘Our number one goal is to raise funds to help others,? said club member Gail Ferguson. ‘In the process, we also have found friends to share a laugh and have a little fun.? […]

Superintendent gets 3 more years

The superintendent of Clarkston schools has a new three-year contract after a contentious school board meeting. Board President Rosalie Lieblang kicked off discussion at the March 10 meeting by reading a June memorandum calling for Superintendent Dr. Rod Rock to resign his position. “This letter has been a complete distraction from the day I saw […]

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