Archive for the ‘Local’ Category
Muskingum’s Dr. Schlacks Passes Away
Dr. William Schlacks, professor of music and chair of the music department, passed away this morning. Thoughts and condolences can be left in the comments section below. Look for more information on the life and legacy of Dr. Schlacks in the first, Fall 2009 edition of the B&M.
Muskingum President Dr. Anne C. Steele sent the following to students today:
To: Muskingum University students
Fm: Anne C. Steele
With profound sadness and deepest grief, I am writing to let you know that Dr. William Schlacks, The Ruth Dorsey Neptune Distinguished Professor of Music, passed away this morning. Dr. Schlacks inspired us all. He was a truly gifted educator and renowned musician. Please keep his wife Mary, daughters Erin and Samantha, and the entire Schlacks’ family in your prayers.
Our Chaplain, Rev. Will Mullins and our University Counselor, Ms. Tracy Bugglin, will be available in the Chapel and in the Top of the Center this afternoon. Please know that all of our faculty and staff are here to help you in any way they can.
Tri-Valley Super Comments on School Waivers
Governor Ted Strickland’s education plan implementing all-day kindergarten isn’t without its loopholes. Waivers can allow districts to opt-out, allowing them to dodge Strickland’s key requirements, an article in today’s Columbus Dispatch explains.
Under Strickland’s plan, the Tri-Valley Local School District, in Muskingum County, would get no increase in funding over the next two years — despite being required to make changes that would require more classrooms and more teachers and thus much more spending. Tri-Valley Superintendent Mark Neal commented in the Dispatch’s front page story:
“I see waivers not only as a way to continue not to fully fund the cost of a high-quality education, but also as a tool to further exacerbate the disparity between low-wealth and high-wealth school districts,” said Mark Neal, superintendent of Tri-Valley Local Schools in Muskingum County.
“Basically, the model acknowledges what an adequate education should look like and then provides a way for those who cannot afford it to opt out.”
But at the same time, Neal said, he’d be grateful for waivers. Tri-Valley would receive no additional state aid during the next two years under the governor’s plan and would not have the money for the additional teachers and classroom space required under the proposal, he said.
How frequently waivers would be granted and under what circumstances has yet to be determined, according to the Dispatch.
New Concord App on Facebook!
Two people sent me a gift on Facebook — a picture of the new recycling bins on campus.
A new Facebook app created by Dr. Vivian Wagner, B&M adviser and professor, features many pictures of New Concord-area scenes that users can send as gifts to each other. It’s really pretty neat.
Some other gifts include Steve the Mullet Man, Xmas Lights in March, Elf Guy, and for every gift you send that gets accepted, you unlock even more picture gifts. One includes a professor’s vehicle.