Articles by Mike Rhodes

2016 Michele Barnhart Hires Scholarship Recipient Announced The Community Foundation of Muncie and Delaware County, Inc. has announced Kaitlyn Ewing as the recipient of the 2016 Michele Barnhart Hires Scholarship. This scholarship honors Michele Barnhart Hires, a 1966 graduate of Daleville High School. A popular fun-loving student, Michele was active in theatre and choir. Although she finished high school as a “C” student, she was determined to earn a college degree. Michele did just that. She earned a degree in speech, drama, and communications from Pepperdine University. The Michele Barnhart Hires Scholarship is awarded to a graduate of Daleville Junior/Senior…

STATEHOUSE  – House Speaker Brian C. Bosma (R-­Indianapolis) today announced his appointments to a new panel charged with recommending a replacement for the ISTEP test. Under a new law, the state’s troubled ISTEP test will be phased out by July 1, 2017, and a 23­ member panel, a majority of whom are educators, will recommend a new, standardized test. “The ISTEP test is a seriously damaged brand and has become an ongoing source of frustration among our students, educators and parents,” Bosma said. “While we need critical performance assessments, not having results of the test for eight months is simply…

Muncie, Ind. – Ivy Tech Community College East Central Region recently concluded their 9th annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for this tax season. Ivy Tech Community College’s VITA program offers free federal and state income tax return preparation and e-filing for students, faculty, staff, and lower income general public taxpayers. VITA program volunteers prepared over 90 tax returns at the Muncie and Anderson campus locations resulting in over $168,000 and $16,000 in federal and state tax refunds respectively. Additionally, taxpayers saved approximately $11,125 in tax preparation costs. The VITA program also provides a great real-world learning tool for the…

By: Ana Pichardo— Adult Education Graduation Ceremomy Thursday, May 12, 2016 beginning at 7pm Muncie Central High School Auditorium Adult learners who have participated in the Muncie Community Schools Adult Education program will be earning HSE Certificates and high school diplomas during the commencement program.  The speeches and stories of these students are always inspiring and interesting. Career & Technical Education Awards Program Thursday, May 19, 2016, beginning at 7:00 PM Muncie Area Career Center Gymnasium MACC students from eleven high schools in the region will be awarded Technical Certifications, Ivy Tech College transcripts, WorkKey Certification, scholarships, and many other awards…

By: Dr. Steven Baule, Superintendent of Muncie Community Schools— Dear MCS Stakeholders, I feel it is appropriate to take a few minutes to provide all stakeholders with an update regarding the corporation’s fiscal situation. In some ways, I understand this seems like old news. The Muncie Community Schools have been in a cost containment cycle for the better part of two decades according to many staff members who have worked here throughout that time. However, the key difference is that there is no longer any fund balance to utilize to allow the corporation to continue to deficit spend. The facts are not…