Hopefully, Richmond won’t have to scramble to quickly replace Superintendent Deborah Jewell-Sherman who just annouced she will be leaving as of July 31st to go to Harvard.   What we need is someone really good to replace her.

Once she leaves, the School Board has 180 days to hire a full-time replacement. While that window won’t expire until late January, the Board is prohibited by state law from acting on its search between the November election and the first of the year, when the new Board is seated.

The Board is expected to ask assistant superintendent for instruction Yvonne Brandon to serve as interim superintendent. Brandon, the only upper-tier administrator not retiring or otherwise stating a desire to leave the system, was recently a finalist for the superintendent position in Memphis.

Greg Muzik, Mary Munford’s principal, recently announced that Munford will get an ADA upgrade (hopefully  this summer). Fortunatly, Munford’s ADA upgrade looks much simpler that some of the other schools that are older, like William Fox Elementary in the Fan.

“Munford is scheduled to have a ADA upgrade to our building. This work may take place this summer.  We will be relocating the handicap parking spaces so they will be closer to the school entrance that faces the bus loop.  A ramp to this entrance will be installed along with new door hardware.”

In fact, it looks like 33 of Richmond’s schools may get upgraded. Well it is about time!

My former employer, World Access, which is located at Parham and 64 is changing their name, the Times-Dispatch reports:

World Access is changing its name. Sort of.

Beginning tomorrow, the Henrico County-based insurance company will be known as Mondial Assistance. Mondial means “worldwide” in French.

World Access did not choose the name at random but is instead taking on the name of its French bosses.

World Access has been the North American unit of the French travel insurance company Mondial Assistance since 2000. The parent company operates in 29 countries and is part of Germany’s Allianz AG.

World Access specializes in travel insurance, and offers international medical and travel assistance. It also provides entertainment insurance.

Jon Ansell, its president and chief executive, said the company is changing its name because of the international nature of the work it does. Many of the companies it does business with around the world know the name Mondial but not World Access, he said

Style Weekly reports today that the University of Richmond will open a family law clinic downtown in a joint venture with VCU. 

The University of Richmond is reaching out of its secluded West End campus to set up shop downtown.

In partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University’s social work and psychology programs, UR is making its first major commitment to downtown in the fall. UR’s family law clinic will pair law students with Richmond attorneys who are representing low-income families pro bono. In a separate program, undergraduate and graduate students at UR and VCU will work with city-based organizations that provide services pro bono to low-income families.

The satellite campus will take over about 4,200 square feet at 626 E. Broad St., former headquarters of Franklin Federal Savings & Loan, which is across the street from the new federal courthouse. It’s expected to open to students in time for the fall semester, says Adrienne Volenik, acting director for UR’s National Center for Family Law. The Wilton Cos. donated the space for the campus, she says.

Congratulations to Douglas Freeman’s Casey Fowler, for earning a $2,000 scholarship at the 17^th Annual Times-Dispatch/Sports Backers Scholar-Athlete Awards Dinner.  

The University of Richmond just announce the Modlin Center line up for 2008-2009. Season tickets are now on sale.

From the Modlin Center Blog: 

Finally…months of work on the 2008-2009 season have come to an end. We’re now able to announce our full roster of performers–favorite artists and ensembles returning to the Modlin Center and a large number of first-time musicians and attractions! We believe this is going to be a stellar year and we hope you’ll be joining us in the audience come September. Our Web site is now loaded with events. Take a look–read about our artists, listen to their music, visit their personal Web sites. Subscription tickets are available starting June 2 when the box office opens for the summer. This is always the best way to reserve your seats in advance (and at a discount) for events that will certainly sell out–David Sedaris, Garrison Keillor, Cherryholmes, Cirque Eloize, Reduced Shakespeare Company, MOMIX. Order forms can be downloaded from our Box Office Information page. And please contact the Modlin Center Box Office with any questions! We look forward to hearing from you!

Two days ago we reported about U of R’s new venture downtown and now, we are reporting on the Barksdale’s new downtown show.  The Barksdale’s website confirms that Guys & Dolls, their summer musical, will indeed be downtown, at the Empire, but it is mainly for production reasons – it is a  big musical needs a big stage (not the theater in the round that Barksdale offers).   With the possible exception of future summer musicals,  other Barksdale productions will continue to be held at the Willow Lawn location.

And to put an end to any rumors, although there is talk on the street, Theater IV has no plans to move the  kids shows to Barkesdale’s Willow Lawn theater.