Here’s the latest on what’s happening in and around the ESD:

Did you hear?

The ESD 112 conference center sound system is being upgraded! One of the BIG benefits of this upgrade is that now all four rooms will have microphone capabilities (previously only two rooms had this) and screens will display in all rooms. The timeline for completion has not been set.

Lost in Space?

There’s lots of juggling going on to provide work space for our growing workforce. What’s being talked about?

  • CSG moving to the 2200 building in the current warehouse.
  • Some warehousing needs moved into the Science Center warehouse.
  • Teaching and Learning (Prevention and Workforce staff) moving from the 2200 building over to where CSG is currently located.
  • More juggling as our Early Care and Education Department grows!

We will post updates as we know more.

Big future and scrambling for staff to join ECE

And speaking of ECE, our newest Early Learning Center – Park Crest –  OPENED this month to 112 kids! Congratulations to Will Legg and Rick Batterberry and the team for working day and night to get this facility opened. An official grand opening will be planned at the end of the summer.

As you know, the ECE department went through a major restructure in May. They are all working hard to fill several positions required for the $2.6 million Early Head Start grant they received this spring. Executive Director Jodi Wall reported that staff are stretched thin as they continue to hire the team to serve this program. “Everyone is doing an amazing job pitching in and working long hours to get this program up and running and take care of all our other early learning programs,” she said. Hats off to the entire ECE team!

A New Website in the Making

Heidi Barnes and Laura Martin are busy working on a new ESD website and brand “refresh.” After doing research and receiving feedback through a survey to internal and external web users, they presented their findings and recommended navigational structure to Cabinet.

FUN FACTS:

  • Our own ESA has the lowest citizen’s complaint per capita in the state of Washington, as reported by OSPI
  • Our HR department hired 178 employees this past year. Did you know, that’s 40% of our workforce?!?

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