East Muskingum Treasurer Search Application Deadline Extended
ZANESVILLE, Ohio — The East Muskingum Local School District’s Board of Education, located in Muskingum County, Ohio, is seeking a highly qualified, dynamic and experienced individual to serve as treasurer. This person will lead the fiscal office and oversee the financial stability of the district.
The board is working with Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center to conduct the search process. More information may be found at https://www.mvesc.org/careers/0822-2/
The deadline to submit the completed application packet has been extended through Monday, September 30, 2022. It can be emailed to lori.lowe@mvesc.org or mailed to Lori Snyder-Lowe, MVESC, 205 N. Seventh Street, Zanesville, OH 43701.
MVESC Recognizes Logan-Hocking Schools for 25 Years of Academic Excellence, Partnership
ZANESVILLE, Ohio — The Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center (MVESC) recently celebrated its 25 year anniversary. The event was attended by former and current board members, superintendents, and administrators and board members from member districts. The program included comments from Michael Smith, MVESC Board President, Craig Burford, Executive Director, Ohio Educational Service Center Association, and former MVESC superintendents Dr. Jim Mahoney, Dr. Richard Murray and David Branch.
As part of the celebration, 12 MVESC member districts were honored recognizing their 25 years of service to students in the Muskingum Valley Region, including Logan-Hocking Schools. Other districts honored for their 25-year partnership included Coshocton City Schools, Crooksville, East Muskingum, Franklin, Maysville, Morgan, New Lexington, Northern, Ridgewood, River View, and West Muskingum.
“We are thrilled to recognize our partner districts for their 25 years of commitment to educational excellence and community enrichment! MVESC is proud to be a part of such outstanding school districts with amazing and committed staff, students and board members,” said MVESC Superintendent Lori Snyder-Lowe.
Other districts now aligned with the MVESC include Caldwell, Coshocton County Career Center, Mid-East Career & Technology Centers, and Newcomerstown. Additionally, MVESC provides services to other districts in Ohio and in other states.
MVESC Board President Michael Smith presents a plaque of recognition to Logan-Hocking Board of Education President Lance Bell. Also pictured are MVESC Board Vice President Ed Penrod and Logan-Hocking Board of Education Vice President Amy Black.
Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center Governing Board’s September Meeting: September 12, 2022
ZANESVILLE, Ohio — The Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center Governing Board will hold its regular September board meeting, Monday, Sept.12, 2022, at 7:00 PM at its offices located at 205 N. Seventh Street, Zanesville, Ohio. The meeting is open to the public.
Please contact Superintendent Lori Snyder- Lowe at 740-452-4518 or lori.lowe@mvesc.org with any questions.
MVESC Offers Free Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines Training
ZANESVILLE, Ohio — The MVESC is offering FREE “Comprehensive School Threat Assessment Guidelines” training (CSTAG). This Training meets all requirements for House Bill 123 signed this year by Governor Mike DeWine to help schools identify threat and provide guidance on how to effectively address threat in schools. We are excited to offer you and your staff this training and to work together on issues related to threat and violence in schools. Trainings are currently scheduled for the following dates:
- September 6th at the Muskingum Valley ESC located in Zanesville, Ohio
- September 13th at the Perry County Regional office of the MVESC located in New Lexington, Ohio
- September 15th at the Warren Local located in Vincent, Ohio
- October 7th at Newcomerstown Middle School located in Newcomerstown, Ohio
- October 16th at River View High School located in Warsaw, Ohio
- October 25th at St. Clairsville ESC located in St. Clairsville, Ohio
For more information or to register click the link or contact Megan Moore at megan.moore@mvesc.org.
MVESC Recognizes Perry County Districts for 25 Years of Academic Excellence, Partnership
ZANESVILLE, Ohio — The Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center (MVESC) recently celebrated its 25 year anniversary. The event was attended by former and current board members, superintendents, and administrators and board members from member districts. The program included comments from Michael Smith, MVESC Board President, Craig Burford, Executive Director, Ohio Educational Service Center Association, and former MVESC superintendents Dr. Jim Mahoney, Dr. Richard Murray and David Branch.
As part of the celebration, 12 MVESC member districts were honored recognizing their 25 years of service to students in the Muskingum Valley Region, including Crooksville, New Lexington and Northern Local. Other districts honored for their 25-year partnership included Coshocton City Schools, East Muskingum, Franklin, Logan-Hocking, Maysville, Morgan, Ridgewood, River View, and West Muskingum.
“We are thrilled to recognize our partner districts for their 25 years of commitment to educational excellence and community enrichment! MVESC is proud to be a part of such outstanding school districts with amazing and committed staff, students and board members,” said MVESC Superintendent Lori Snyder-Lowe.
Other districts now aligned with the MVESC include Caldwell, Coshocton County Career Center, Mid-East Career & Technology Centers, and Newcomerstown. Additionally, MVESC provides services to other districts in Ohio and in other states.
MVESC Board Member Robert Doughty present a plaque of recognition to Crooksville Schools.
MVESC Board President Michael Smith presents a plaque of recognition to New Lexington Schools.
MVESC Board President Michael Smith presents a plaque of recognition to Northern Local Schools.
MVESC Recognizes Coshocton County Districts for 25 Years of Academic Excellence, Partnership
ZANESVILLE, Ohio — The Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center (MVESC) recently celebrated its 25-year anniversary. The event was attended by former and current board members, superintendents, and administrators and board members from member districts. The program included comments from Michael Smith, MVESC Board President, Craig Burford, Executive Director, Ohio Educational Service Center Association, and former MVESC superintendents Dr. Jim Mahoney, Dr. Richard Murray and David Branch.
As part of the celebration, 12 MVESC member districts were honored recognizing their 25 years of service to students in the Muskingum Valley Region, including Coshocton, Ridgewood and River View. Other districts honored for their 25-year partnership included Crooksville, East Muskingum, Franklin, Logan-Hocking, Maysville, Morgan, New Lexington, Northern and West Muskingum.
“We are honored to be able to recognize our partner districts for their focus on academic excellence over the last 25 years, and we are proud to be able to serve these outstanding staff members, students, and community members in reaching their goals,” said MVESC Superintendent Lori Snyder-Lowe.
Other districts now aligned with the MVESC include Caldwell, Coshocton County Career Center, Mid-East Career & Technology Centers, and Newcomerstown. Additionally, MVESC provides services to other districts in Ohio and in other states.
MVESC Governing Board Member Robert Doughty congratulates Coshocton City Schools for their academic excellence and 25-year partnership with MVESC.
MVESC Governing Board Member Robert Doughty congratulates Ridgewood for their academic excellence and 25-year partnership with MVESC.
MVESC Governing Board Member Robert Doughty congratulates River View Local Schools for their academic excellence and 25-year partnership with MVESC.
MVESC Recognizes West Muskingum’s 25 Years of Partnership
ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center (MVESC) recently celebrated its 25 year anniversary. The event was attended by former and current board members, superintendents, and administrators and board members from member districts. The program included comments from Michael Smith, MVESC Board President, Craig Burford, Executive Director, Ohio Educational Service Center Association, and former MVESC superintendents Dr. Jim Mahoney, Dr. Richard Murray and David Branch.
As part of the celebration, 12 MVESC member districts were honored recognizing their 25 years of service to students in the Muskingum Valley Region. MVESC Board President Michael Smith presented a plaque to West Muskingum for their partnership. Other districts honored for their 25-year partnership included Coshocton City Schools, Crooksville, East Muskingum, Franklin, Logan-Hocking, Maysville, Morgan, New Lexington, Northern, Ridgewood, and River View.
“We are honored to be able to recognize our partner districts for their focus on academic excellence over the last 25 years, and we are proud to be able to serve these outstanding staff members, students, and community members in reaching their goals,” said MVESC Superintendent Lori Snyder-Lowe.
Other districts now aligned with the MVESC include Caldwell, Coshocton County Career Center, Mid-East Career & Technology Centers, and Newcomerstown. Additionally, MVESC provides services to other districts in Ohio and in other states.
MVESC Governing Board will meet Wednesday, August 10, 2022
Zanesville, Ohio – The Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center Governing Board will hold its regular August Board meeting at 7:00 p.m., August 10, 2022. The meeting will be held in the Muskingum Valley ESC office at 205 N. Seventh Street, Zanesville. The meeting is open to the public.
Contact Lori Snyder-Lowe, Superintendent, at 740-452-4518 for more information.
Coshocton Elementary School Teacher Selected District 9 Teacher of the Year
COSHOCTON, Ohio — Coshocton City Schools elementary teacher, Leslie Croft, was recently selected as this year’s recipient of the 2023 State Board of Education District 9 Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Croft is a second grade teacher at Coshocton Elementary.
Mrs. Croft has taught for 22 years, and has taught in both private and public schools. She serves as a teacher mentor and takes on student teachers, as well. She believes that all students can learn and she differentiates instruction to meet the needs of a variety of learners in the classroom. Mrs. Croft was also the recipient of the 2021-22 MVESC Exemplary Educator, for which she was recognized among other exceptional teachers in our region.
Each year the Ohio Department of Education asks each Ohio school district to submit their candidate for the Ohio Teacher of the Year. The program identifies exceptional teachers who inspire others inside and outside the classroom. A committee in each of Ohio’s eleven State Board of Education Districts reviewed applications and selected Mrs. Croft as this year’s award winner! She will continue to move ahead in the selection process for the 2023 State Teacher of the Year.
“Leslie Croft is an exceptional educator who inspires her students and colleagues on a daily basis. She is highly respected and most deserving of this distinguished award, and Coshocton City Schools is extremely proud of her many accomplishments,” stated Superintendent Dr. David Hire.
The Ohio Teacher of the Year program began in 1964. In 1996, Coshocton High School Social Studies teacher, Cathy Priest was selected as Ohio’s Teacher of the Year.
MVESC’s Lindsay Rayner, Director of Curriculum & Learning, served as the Ohio Teacher of the Year District 9 Territory Lead.
MVESC Garners $25,000 Parent Mentorship Program
ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center is receiving $25,000 to support its Parent Mentorship program. The federal funds are distributed through the Ohio Department of Education. A Parent Mentor is the parent of a child with a disability who is employed by a local educational service center to help school districts and families by providing training, support and information services.
The MVESC Parent Mentor program services include:
- Guiding families through the special education process and helping them understand their rights and responsibilities.
- Listening and providing support to families and educators on an individual basis.
- Providing information and resources to families and school personnel on education laws, district programs and services and community resources.
- Attending Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings and other meetings at parent or staff request.
- Organizing and conducting information sessions or workshops based on the needs of families and professionals.
- Building collaborative partnerships among families, schools and communities to benefit students with disabilities.
All Parent Mentor services are provided to families free of charge.
Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center Governing Board’s July Meeting: July 11, 2022
Zanesville, Ohio – The Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center Governing Board will hold its regular July Board meeting at 7:00 p.m., July 11, 2022. The meeting will be held in the Muskingum Valley ESC office at 205 N. Seventh Street, Zanesville. The meeting is open to the public.
Contact Lori Snyder-Lowe, Superintendent, at 740-452-4518 for more information.
MVESC Receives Afterschool Grants for Programs in New Lexington, Morgan and Ridgewood Local Schools
ZANESVILLE, Ohio – The Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center is receiving $961,150 in grants to launch a new afterschool program at New Lexington Schools and expand current afterschool programs at Morgan and Ridgewood Local Schools. The Ohio Department of Education announced April 28 a total of $89 million in Summer Learning and Afterschool Opportunities Grants to 161 community-based partners. The grant programs must be provided during periods of time when school is not in session and be designed to meet the needs of students who have experienced disruptions to learning in school during the pandemic.
An Afterschool Create grant of $885,000 will support establishment of an afterschool program for New Lexington Schools, which will begin August 2022 and end June 2024. New Lexington Schools partnered with MVESC for the grant which will serve students in grades K-12. The program will be housed in the New Lexington Workforce Development Center with students being transported there after school each day. A Technology Coach will be assigned to students and many services will be offered, such as: health and wellness, social-emotional learning, STEM lab, Makerspace, Agriculture Technology, projects at the school farm, family, and community events.
The second grant awarded to MVESC is an Afterschool Expand grant for $76,150.24 which will also begin August 2022 and will end June 2024. Ridgewood Local Schools and Morgan Local Schools are the partners for this grant, and the programs will serve K-12 students. These programs will expand on the districts’ current afterschool services by providing additional STEM resources and social-emotional learning.
Through these grant opportunities, the goal of MVESC and the partnering districts is to increase student achievement, improve school attendance, and provide ongoing support to students and families who have been affected by the pandemic.
Muskingum Valley ESC Governing Board Meeting: May 16, 2022
Zanesville, Ohio – The Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center Governing Board will hold its regular May Board meeting at 7:00 p.m., May 16, 2022. The meeting will be held in the Muskingum Valley ESC office at 205 N. Seventh Street, Zanesville. The meeting is open to the public.
Contact Lori Snyder-Lowe, Superintendent, at 740-452-4518 for more information.
-30–
Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center and the Ohio ESC Association to Recognize Ohio’s Top Scholars
Columbus, Ohio – On Tuesday, May 3, 2022, the Ohio Educational Service Center Association (OESCA) will recognize Ohio’s top students from across the state during the 33rd Annual Franklin B. Walter All-Scholastic Awards Program.
The Franklin B. Walter Award recipient for the Muskingum Valley ESC is Kierston Harper, a senior from Philo High School in the Franklin Local School District. Kierston is the daughter of Jeremy and Heidi Harper of Zanesville. The Muskingum Valley ESC recognized 16 district winners in March at an awards event at Secrest Auditorium, and a committee chose Kierston as the ESC’s representative to be recognized at the statewide event. Harper plans to attend a college or university and major in Biology/Pre-Medicine.
This year’s student-centered event will be held both in-person and virtually through two-way interactive video and live streamed on the Association’s YouTube Channel.
The awards program, named in honor of Ohio’s 31st State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Franklin B. Walter, was established in 1989 by OESCA to promote and recognize outstanding student leaders for their academic achievement and service to their schools and communities. One senior from each county in Ohio was eligible to receive this annual honor with the top 51 students from each of Ohio’s ESCs selected to attend the statewide event. The event will be held at the Nationwide Hotel and Conference Center in Lewis Center, Ohio, following the Ohio ESC Association’s annual Spring meeting.
Eligible applicants must be a high school senior enrolled in a public school within an ESC’s service region. Recipients were required to demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and community service as indicated by high school grades, test scores, school and community activities and awards.
“In order to achieve this level of success, these students have demonstrated bold leadership, resilience and grit,” stated Craig Burford, Executive Director of OESCA. Over the past 33 years, OESCA has recognized over 2,600 scholars and student leaders during this event. “Ohio’s ESCs have over a century of service in providing technical assistance and support to Ohio’s schools and students, and during this event we get to see the impact of that work,” added Burford. “We look forward to our continued partnership with school district leadership and state policymakers to ensuring students have the tools and resources necessary to succeed regardless of where they live and attend school.”
Students Win Big in ‘The Stock Market Game’
ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Nearly 175 seventh and eighth graders in Ohio participated in The Stock Market Game, and a Philo Junior High student was the state’s top investor for junior high students. Payton Byers’ portfolio totaled more than $111,000 and edged out the second-place student by less than $40. Byers now advances to another competition later this month at the University of Cincinnati.
In all, 112 students from districts in the Muskingum Valley ESC region participated in The Stock Market Game. The Community Bank and Park National Bank provided funding for student licenses, so they could access the game. Participating districts include Caldwell, Coshocton, Crooksville, Franklin, Logan-Hocking, Maysville, Morgan, Newcomerstown, Ridgewood and River View.
Students started in October 2021 with $100,000 to build a stock market portfolio, and results were tracked through April 8, 2022. The value of each student’s portfolio determined their rankings. The top 10 students from Muskingum Valley ESC districts include:
Muskingum Valley Business Advisory Council Earns 3-Star Designation for Excellence
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Interim State Superintendent of Public Instruction Stephanie Siddens and Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted announced the Muskingum Valley Business Advisory Council (MVBAC) has been designated as an Ohio 2022 Three-Star Business Advisory Council. The MVBAC, coordinated by the Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center, was one of the seven Business Advisory Councils (BACs) in Ohio to be recognized with the three-star designation. Ohio is home to more than 120 Business Advisory Councils.
The BACs engage with schools and collaborate about business and workforce needs and educational programming that responds to those needs. To highlight the work of these councils, the Ohio Department of Education, in partnership with the Ohio Business Roundtable, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Ohio chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business, Ohio Farm Bureau, Ohio Manufacturers’ Association, Ohio Excels, Ohio Restaurant Association and Ohio Council of Retail Merchants, developed Ohio’s Business-Education Leader Awards for Excellent Business Advisory Councils.
This application-based set of awards recognizes applicants that demonstrate excellence in the three Quality Practices:
- Developing professional skills for future careers;
- Building partnerships; and
- Coordinating career development experiences.
“The collaboration between business and education is a powerful force that inspires students to think about their futures and helps connect them to in-demand career opportunities in their communities,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “Today’s awards highlight some of the most innovative and impactful examples of business and education partnerships taking place across Ohio.”
“I’m so impressed by our councils and all the amazing work they are doing to support and encourage students toward promising careers. Their investment in students today promises to have a positive impact both for students and for their organizations for generations to come,” said Siddens.
To learn more about the work of Business Advisory Councils, to watch a video of the event and to view the criteria for these awards, visit the Business Advisory Councils webpage.
MVESC Governing Board will meet Monday, April 11, 2022
Zanesville, Ohio – The Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center Governing Board will hold its regular April Board meeting at 7:00 p.m., April 11, 2022. The meeting will be held in the Muskingum Valley ESC office at 205 N. Seventh Street, Zanesville. The meeting is open to the public.
Contact Lori Snyder-Lowe, Superintendent, at 740-452-4518 for more information.
Deadline Extended: Nominate an Outstanding Teacher for Ohio Teacher of the Year
The 2023 Ohio Teacher of the Year nominations are open February 1 through April 29, 2022.
More than an award, the Ohio Teacher of the Year program elevates the teaching profession by identifying exceptional teachers, celebrating their effective, inspiring work both inside and outside of the classroom and providing opportunities for professional growth, leadership and advocacy.
Nominees must hold a professional Ohio educator license, work full-time with a minimum of five years of teaching experience in a state-approved public school, community school or career center. They also must work directly with students at least 50 percent of the time, have no previous recognition with the Ohio Teacher of the Year program, and plan to continue in active teaching status.
Anyone may nominate a teacher. School administrators, colleagues, community members, parents or students may submit a nomination for one or multiple teachers from a district or school building. (Self-nominations are not accepted)
Clink the link for more information and to nominate an outstanding Ohio teacher.
More than 60 Students, Educators Recognized During Awards Night Event
The Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center presented Wednesday, March 9, 2022, more than 60 awards to students and educators from 16 districts during its annual Awards Night celebration held at Secrest Auditorium. More than 300 students, educators, family members and friends attended the event to celebrate the award recipients’ achievements. At the event, the Franklin B. Walter All-Scholastic Awards, Exemplary Educator Awards, Susan Writing Awards and Outstanding Senior and Teacher Awards were presented.
The Franklin B. Walter All-Scholastic Awards are named after former Ohio Superintendent of Public Instruction Franklin B. Walter. Each of the 16 school districts in Muskingum Valley’s service region nominated one student based on his or her outstanding academic achievement, community service, and leadership abilities. A panel of judges then selected one county winner, who received a $500 scholarship. County Award Winners are Kavan Jackson, Coshocton High School; Levi Keck, Logan High School, Josephine Knierim, Morgan High School, Kierston Harper, Philo High School; Anna Lowers, Caldwell High School, Grace Barker, New Lexington High School; and Sarah Garretson, Newcomerstown High School.
Park National Bank provided scholarship awards for county winners in Coshocton, Hocking, Muskingum and Tuscarawas counties. The Community Bank sponsored the Perry County scholarship. The Farmers and Merchants Bank and Boyd Precision Painting jointly sponsored the Noble County Scholarship. The Henery Family Scholarship was presented to the Morgan County winner.
Additionally, two students, Ella Dean and Scott T. Moore, both from John Glenn High School, received the Susan Writing Awards and $1,000 scholarships from the Susan Mahoney Writing Scholarship. The Susan Award was created to memorialize the tremendous writing talent of Susan Elizabeth Mahoney. Susan was the daughter of Jim and Judy Mahoney. She passed away during her sophomore year at John Glenn High School. Seniors from high schools in Coshocton, Muskingum and Morgan counties annually provide writing samples and apply for the scholarship award.
Seventeen educators were recognized as “Exemplary Educators” from 16 districts in the MVESC region and the educational service center. The Muskingum Valley ESC received a Jennings Grant in August 2001 in recognition of Jim Mahoney’s selection as the 2001 Ohio Outstanding Superintendent. This grant originally funded this award recognition, but the award is now funded by the MVESC. The intent of this award is to recognize exemplary teachers and other educators in the seven-county ESC area.
Students from 16 districts were selected as Outstanding Seniors by their high school principals based on the student’s exceptional academic record, leadership in their school and community, and having earned other honors and awards. The seniors were then asked to choose one teacher from their academic career who has been a motivating influence on their goals and dreams. Each senior wrote a short essay describing the teacher’s impact on them, which was read during the event.
A complete list of award recipients by county is available here.
Register Now for 2022-23 Preschool Programs
Registration is now open for the Muskingum Valley Educational Service Center (MVESC) 2022-2023 Preschool Programs in Muskingum, Noble, Perry and Tuscarawas counties. The program is available for residents in the East Muskingum Local School District, West Muskingum Local School District, Caldwell Exempted Village School District, Crooksville Exempted Village School District, New Lexington City School District, Northern Local School District and Newcomerstown Exempted Village School District. The program is for children ages 3 and 4, as of August 1, 2022.
Special registration events are scheduled in Noble County for residents of the Caldwell Exempted Village School District, and in Perry County for residents of the Crooksville, New Lexington and Northern Local districts. Click the links below to learn more about these special registration events.
Caldwell Preschool Enrollment — Caldwell Elementary School (March 16)
Crooksville Preschool Enrollment — Crooksville K-8 (March 24 & 25)
New Lexington Preschool Enrollment — New Lexington and Junction City Elementary Schools (March 26), appointments required
Northern Local Preschool Enrollment — Somerset and Thornville Public Libraries and the Hoover Center in Glenford (April 6), appointments required
Applications for all preschool sites are available now online at https://data.mvesc.org/MVESCPreschool.