School bond improvements continuing

BY MATT MACKINDER Clarkston News Staff Writer As part of the $76 million bond that was passed in 2016, more school district improvements will be coming next summer, as well as technology upgrades during this current school year. The physical improvements include a new secure entry at the Early Childhood Center with new cross corridor […]

WHAT ‘MATT’ERS: Cherish these times

Let’s face it. Time flies. Kids grow up too fast. And I say that knowing in a week we’ll be in the living room with probably less wrapping paper strewn across the floor than ever. Our kids are 14, 12, and 9. They want less and less toys for Christmas, and that’s fine with my […]

District looking to stabilize student enrollment

BY MATT MACKINDER Clarkston News Staff Writer Even after losing almost 160 students from the 2018-19 school year, Clarkston Community Schools is actually up in student enrollment due to its virtual program gaining just over 500 students. The result is a net gain of 348 students for the current 2019-20 school year, which also has […]

New Renaissance principal loves family atmosphere

New Renaissance principal loves family atmosphere

BY MATT MACKINDER Clarkston News Staff Writer Gary Bigger has been in the alternative education realm for the past 20 years, and it’s that knowledge and passion that drew him to Renaissance High School as the school’s new principal. “You know what it is, it’s about family,” said Bigger, who started in his position in […]

Clarkston freshman on mission to assist Kenya

BY MATT MACKINDER Clarkston News Staff Writer Caitrin Lugger is a freshman at Clarkston Junior High School and has a head on her shoulders far exceeding her grade level. An Honors Conceptual Physics student, Lugger noted on Freespace Fridays, the goal in class is to do something that improves the world or improves ourselves. “I […]

Puck star makes NCAA commitment

Puck star makes NCAA commitment

BY MATT MACKINDER Clarkston News Staff Writer Ty Gallagher, 16, will trade in the red, white and blue for gold and blue when the Clarkston native heads to the University of Notre Dame in two seasons to play for the Fighting Irish NCAA Division I hockey team. This season, Gallagher is playing the first of […]

Tips to stay safe during the holiday season

This holiday season, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office has some tips to stay safe. • Beware of phishing websites designed to steal your username, passwords, and payment card information. Cyber criminals commonly build webpages which look like popular internet shopping and banking websites, even using valid digital certificates to make the websites appear legitimate. Although […]

Sashabaw work done for winter

Sashabaw work done for winter

After more than seven months of construction, Sashabaw Road is now open from I-75 to just south of Clarkston Road in Independence Township. The majority of the funding for the $4.8 million-dollar project was provided by the township, while the remainder was funded by Road Commission for Oakland County and Oakland County general government through […]

Safety in snow top priority, superintendent says

Safety in snow top priority, superintendent says

BY MATT MACKINDER Clarkston News Staff Writer Since Clarkston Community Schools already canceled one day last month due to wintry weather, Superintendent Shawn Ryan wants everyone to know what goes in to turning a normal day into a snow day. “It’s no understatement to say that Michigan winters can be unpredictable,” Ryan said. “A snow […]

New job for school official

BY MATT MACKINDER Clarkston News Staff Writer The recent Thanksgiving holiday brought a new face to the Clarkston Community Schools Central Office, but not one unfamiliar to the district. Christa Fons, former director at Renaissance High School, is the new director of shared services. The position became available as the current director, Billie Pambid, is […]