News

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center (MVESC) located at 205 North 7^th Street, Zanesville Ohio, has entered into a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Perry County Board of Commissioners for the use of the former Perry Multi-County Juvenile Facility (PMCJF) located at 1625 Commerce Drive, in New Lexington, Ohio. The agreement becomes effective May 1, 2026, and extends through June 1, 2029.  MVESC will utilize the facility to operate two of its established student programs, Heart to Heart and New Path, both of which provide specialized educational and behavioral support for students with developmental disabilities and adolescents identified as at-risk.

The Heart to Heart program serves students with moderate-to-severe cognitive needs who experience behavioral challenges that significantly impact their learning. The New Path program offers a comprehensive, wraparound approach that includes behavioral health services, academic growth support, compliance guidance, and coordinated care.

“This new partnership with the Perry County Commissioners is important to us because it supports our mission, ‘To make connections to create services that contribute to learning,’” said MVESC Superintendent Monte Bainter. “Through this agreement, we are able to expand our services and increase accessibility for the school districts we serve.”

The Muskingum Valley ESC Governing Board will hold its regular May meeting at 7:00 p.m., Monday, May 11, 2026. The meeting will be held at the MVESC Zanesville office, 205 N. Seventh Street, Zanesville, and is open to the public.

Contact Monte Bainter, Superintendent, at 740-452-4518 for more information.

The Muskingum Valley ESC Governing Board will hold its regular April meeting at 7:00 p.m., Monday, April 13, 2026. The meeting will be held at the MVESC Heart to Heart location, 2924 Maysville Pike, Zanesville, and is open to the public.

Contact Monte Bainter, Superintendent, at 740-452-4518 for more information.

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center (MVESC) hosted the 37^th Annual Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at Secrest Auditorium. It was an evening dedicated to celebrating the talents and achievements of remarkable individuals. The MVESC proudly honored exceptional educators and students whose dedication, leadership, and accomplishments continue to make a lasting impact in their schools and communities.

MVESC was pleased to recognize the writing talents of Susan Mahoney by presenting scholarships to outstanding area seniors in her memory. This year, five students were selected for their exceptional promise and talent in creative writing. Each recipient received a $1,000 scholarship, with two students receiving $2,000 scholarships.

MVESC also recognized the finalists for the Franklin B. Walter All-Scholastic Award. Each school district within Muskingum Valley’s service region nominated one senior based on outstanding academic achievement, community service, and leadership. A panel of judges then selected one Franklin B. Walter Award recipient from Coshocton, Hocking, Muskingum, and Perry counties to serve as each county’s award winner. The award is named after former Ohio Superintendent of Public Instruction Franklin B. Walter. The MVESC would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the sponsors who generously supported the event with scholarships: Park National Bank, Buckeye Apparel, and Lepi & Associates.

In addition, Muskingum Valley ESC was honored to recognize outstanding high school seniors and teachers from across the region. Each year, high school principals select one exceptional senior for recognition based on their academic excellence, leadership within their school district, and involvement in their community.

Each honored student was also asked to select a teacher from their academic career who served as a motivating influence in their success. These teachers were recognized alongside the students they inspired.

With many scholarships awarded to area seniors, the evening served as a meaningful celebration of academic achievement, dedication, and the lasting impact of educators throughout the Muskingum Valley region.

MVESC’s 37th Annual Award Ceremony, Awards Listing

The Muskingum Valley ESC Governing Board will hold its regular February meeting at 7:00 p.m., Monday, February 9, 2026. The meeting will be held at the MVESC Zanesville office, 205 N. Seventh Street, Zanesville, and is open to the public.

Contact Monte Bainter, Superintendent, at 740-452-4518 for more information.

The Muskingum Valley ESC Governing Board will hold its regular December meeting at 7:00 p.m., Monday, December 8, 2025. The meeting will be held at the MVESC Zanesville office, 205 N. Seventh Street, Zanesville, and is open to the public.

Contact Monte Bainter, Superintendent, at 740-452-4518 for more information.

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center (MVESC) applied for and has received the High Performing ESC designation from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. A High Performing ESC has generated total cost savings of at least 5% for its client school districts for primary services secured from the ESC instead of another source. Muskingum Valley exceeded this 5% benchmark, with a total savings of 56.6% in 2025.

“Once again, Ohio’s educational service centers demonstrate how they provide their client schools and districts with exceptional services at reasonable costs,” says Craig Burford, Executive Director of the Ohio ESC Association (OESCA). “Over the past decade, Ohio ESCs have averaged 36.54% cost savings to districts per year, for a total of over $796.538 million in savings statewide. Now more than ever, policy makers should take notice of the return on their investment and find additional ways to leverage the ESC network.”

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce evaluated each application based on the total percentage of cost savings the ESC generated for its client districts calculated based on the price charged to the client by the ESC for a primary service.

“We are honored to once again be recognized as a High Performing ESC. This achievement reflects our commitment to providing exceptional programs and services to our districts at the lowest possible cost,” said Monte Bainter, Superintendent, MVESC. “Our team remains committed to delivering innovative solutions, resources, and training that strengthen classrooms and drive student success across the region,” Bainter added.

Ohio’s 51 ESCs are local education agencies (LEAs) or school districts that provide other schools and client school districts with professional development, technology, coaching and support, planning, and administrative and operational support services that help improve student learning, enhance the quality of instruction, expand access to resources, and maximize operating/fiscal efficiencies. The Ohio ESC Association (OESCA) supports, educates and advocates for Ohio’s ESCs. www.oesca.org.

The Muskingum Valley ESC Governing Board will hold its regular November meeting at 7:00 p.m., Monday, November 10, 2025. The meeting will be held at the MVESC Zanesville office, 205 N. Seventh Street, Zanesville, and is open to the public.

Contact Monte Bainter, Superintendent, at 740-452-4518 for more information.

The Muskingum Valley ESC Governing Board will hold its regular October meeting at 7:00 p.m., Monday, October 13, 2025. The meeting will be held at the MVESC Heart to Heart location, 2924 Maysville Pike, Zanesville, and is open to the public.

Contact Monte Bainter, Superintendent, at 740-452-4518 for more information.

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Exciting things are growing in Muskingum County! Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center (MVESC) is thrilled to announce the expansion of childcare opportunities through the upcoming launch of Little Farmers Academy. Little Farmers Academy is a brand-new, year-round childcare center located at 1592 Fairview Rd., Zanesville. Enrollment is now open, with doors set to open on September 29, 2025.

Little Farmers Academy offers a nurturing, educational environment using the nationally recognized Frog Street Curriculum, ensuring each child receives high-quality early learning experiences every day of the year. What sets Little Farmers Academy apart is its thoughtful approach to supporting both children and families. With competitive pricing, including special rates for business partners, the program is designed to be accessible and affordable.

“We are committed to supporting families and helping children thrive from their earliest years,” said MVESC Superintendent Monte Bainter. “Little Farmers Academy is more than just a childcare center, it is a place where learning begins, families are supported, and communities grow stronger together.”

Whether you’re a working parent in need of reliable care or a local employer seeking support for your team, Little Farmers Academy is here to help plant the seeds for a brighter future. “We’ve designed this program to meet the real needs of families,” added MVESC’s Director of Early Childhood Krystal McFarland. “From flexible care options to seamless communication and a warm, inclusive community, we are proud to offer a place where every child can flourish, and every parent feels confident.”

For more information or to schedule a tour, contact MVESC’s Director of Early Childhood Krystal McFarland at 740-452-4518, or email krystal.mcfarland@mvesc.org.

The Muskingum Valley ESC Governing Board will hold its regular September meeting at 7:00 p.m., Monday, September 8, 2025. The meeting will be held at Logan High School in the library, 14470 St. Rt. 328, Logan, and is open to the public.

Contact Monte Bainter, Superintendent, at 740-452-4518 for more information.

The Muskingum Valley ESC Governing Board will hold its regular August meeting at 7:00 p.m., Monday, August 11, 2025. The meeting will be held at the MVESC Zanesville office, 205 N. Seventh Street, Zanesville, and is open to the public.

Contact Monte Bainter, Superintendent, at 740-452-4518 for more information.

The Muskingum Valley ESC Governing Board will hold its regular July meeting at 7:00 p.m., Monday, July 14, 2025. The meeting will be held at the MVESC Zanesville office, 205 N. Seventh Street, Zanesville, and is open to the public.

Contact Monte Bainter, Superintendent, at 740-452-4518 for more information.