SOUTH RANGE SCHOOLS Classes are canceled for students' funeral

GREENFORD -- There will be no classes in the South Range School District on Wednesday so teachers and pupils can attend the funeral of two students who were killed in a car accident early Saturday.
Rebecca J. Foerster, 15, of Green Township, and Mandy L. Mihalik, 15, of Salem, will have a combined funeral in Greenford Christian Church at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. Calling hours will be one hour before services.
Superintendent James Hall told the board of education at its Monday night meeting that he met with representatives of the teachers and the building principals, and everyone felt that closing the schools was necessary.
"This is a terrible tragedy, and many of the teachers who knew the girls feel very strongly that they want to be there for their funerals," he said.
Coping: Hall commended the student intervention team.
"The counselors, the police officers, Dennis Dunham [high school principal] and all of the people on the intervention team did wonderful work. It was obvious they were a consolation to the students. This is a very hard thing for our students to face," he added.
The missed day of school will be made up at the end of the school year.
Honor: In other business, the board passed a resolution honoring Mary Johnson for her service on the board.
She was appointed to fill the unexpired term of another board member and lost the position in last month's election.
The board will have its annual budget hearing at 7:15 p.m. Jan. 14 followed by its annual organizational meeting and regular monthly meeting.