Annual Board Planning Retreat
ESD 112 Cabinet and managers joined the board of directors for its annual planning retreat on Monday, March 25. Program managers had the opportunity to highlight some of their accomplishments from this year, as well as challenges they faced in their various jobs. The afternoon was spent discussing the expansion of the Threat Assessment program to all school districts in the state as well as the growth of Head Start in our region. The board also heard about the challenges districts are facing when it comes to student behavior issues and how the ESD is gearing up to help. Jeffrey Niess, Gavin Hottman, Marnie Allen, and Superintendent Merlino visited a residential program for students on IEP’s in Wichita, Kansas to learn more about what it would take to open a similar facility here in Washington state. The team will be visiting similar program’s in Utah next month to gather information.

Happy Birthday ESDs!
The state’s nine ESD’s 50th held an anniversary reception and program at the state capitol on Thursday, March 28th. AESD president and ESD 112 board member Rainer Houser was the master of ceremonies and did a great job! Many dignitaries spoke about the power of ESDs and shared their appreciation, including the Lieutenant Governor Cyris Habib and state superintendent Chris Reykdal. It was a proud moment for ESDs to recognize 50 years of service! Our state conference is coming up where we also have numerous activities planned and keepsake materials to commemorate our 50th birthday!

ESD Board Member Resignation
On Tuesday, Trish Kellogg a board member since 2010 attended her last meeting. She represented the Ridgefield and North Vancouver areas and also served for two years as the President of the ESD Board. She has been a dedicated and involved board member and her contributions will be missed. The board will begin recruiting to find a replacement.

Marathon Legislative Visits
Superintendent Merlino has worn out the road between Vancouver and Olympia! He’s been meeting individually with our own legislative delegation, as well as House and Senate leaders on a variety of challenges for ESDs. The House and Senate budgets just came out this week, so ESD 112 will be analyzing those to determine their impact to ESDs and school districts.