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Dr. Monte Bridges honored with AESA's prestigious Justice A. Prentice Award

Dr. Monte L. Bridges, Superintendent of Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) will be honored with the 2011 Justice A. Prentice Award at the AESA Conference scheduled in Colorado Springs, Colorado in December 2011. This award, presented by the Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA), is given annual to an individual for outstanding contributions through executive leadership of regional educational service agency programs at the regional, state and national levels. AESA is comprised of more than 550 educational service agencies across 45 states. To read more about this prestigious award, see Monte Bridges.



 

ESD 105 dedicates the "Maggie Perez "Student Success Center"

With a crowd of more than 160 people, ESD 105 officially opened the new Maggie Perez Student Success Center during a ribbon cutting and dedication celebration the morning of September 23. Members of the agency’s Educational Services staff began moving during August into the top two floors of the 32,046-square-foot, three-story building.

The Student Success Center was named in honor of the former ESD 105 Board member who served both the agency and the AESD Executive Board from 2003 until this past spring, shortly before her death on July 4. In addition to serving as the AESD Executive Board’s president for a year during 2005-2006, Maggie promoted higher education in the region on a professional basis as an academic coordinator for recruitment with Washington State University's College of Nursing in Yakima and, earlier, as a program assistant with Yakima Valley Community College.

Patrick Perez joins ESD 105 Board of Directors

Yakima resident Patrick Perez is the newest member of the Educational Service District 105 Board of Directors. Perez was sworn in during the regular monthly board meeting on July 20 by new ESD 105 superintendent Steve Myers, who assumed his new duties for the regional education agency on July 1.

Perez will represent the seven-member board for District 2, which includes the west portion of the Yakima School District.

“Having worked with Patrick over the years on several educational and community endeavors, I know he will bring a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and experience to the board,” said ESD 105 superintendent Steve Myers.

The newest board member was appointed in June to step into the same seat that was previously held for seven years by his late wife, Maggie Perez. Mrs. Perez, who joined the ESD 105 Board in 2003, was the group’s veteran member when she vacated her position on May 3. She died on July 4.

Mr. Perez comes to the board with an employment background in community service roles and a longtime record as a community volunteer. He worked with Washington State Employment Security in Yakima from 1984 to 1995 as a case manager, project coordinator, and outreach worker. He later worked at Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic as a project coordinator, parenting educator, and outreach worker from 1995 until his retirement in 2005.

Mr. Perez has been a member of the Yakima School District’s Strategic Planning Committee (1987-1990), the Yakima Valley Red Cross’s Board of Directors (1990-1992), the Yakima Habitat for Humanity’s Board of Directors (1994-1999), the Yakima Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Project Executive Board (2003-2004), and the Eastern Washington University’s Migrant Program Advisory Board (2004-2006).

Prior to moving to Yakima, he served on the Board of Trustees of the Alisal Union School District in Salinas, California, during 1974-1980.

“This is an opportunity to engage again with this region and help the educational system,” said Mr. Perez. “Education is important to our present and to our future. It’s what helps our youths to be properly prepared for the work force and for careers, and to be productive in their chosen fields.”

The ESD 105 Board of Directors is comprised of members who reside in seven areas of the agency’s region and who are accountable to and elected by the school board members in the region’s public school districts. The ESD 105 Board of Directors provides direction to the ESD 105 superintendent, who is advised by local school district superintendents.

Leadership Transition at Puget Sound ESD

The Puget Sound Educational Service District’s two top leaders, Janice Watson, Deputy Superintendent and Dr. Monte Bridges, Superintendent, announced their respective retirement dates today: Watson on July 1, 2011 and Bridges on August 1, 2012.

Both leaders have enjoyed long, successful educational careers. They will leave a legacy of strong partnerships and relationships with the PSESD Board of Directors, staff, and countless educators and colleagues across the state.

The PSESD Board of Directors recognize that the successive retirement dates create a opportunity for a unique leadership transition scenario at the PSESD. See retirement to view the full article.

October AESD Executive Board Retreat

The AESD Executive Board and ESD Superintendents met October 14, 2010 at Puget Sound ESD for their annual retreat. The agenda consisted of several reports, including:

A financial review by Steve Nielsen and Jerry McDermott
An AESD Network Budget Status Report by Cindy Sands
ESD Superintendent Priorities by Bruce Hawkins and ESD Superintendents
Workers' Compensation Report by Suzanne Reister, North Central ESD
Construction Services and New Network Service
Branding Presentation by Bill Keim, Lori Williams and Heidi Barnes
Legislative Advocacy by Jim Shoemake
How about our Priorities? by Charlie Staadecker


As requested, you will find the ESD economic status slide presentation "Who are we and where can we go" presented by Steve Nielsen and Jerry McDermott at ESD Financial Challenges.

ESD 105 and the AESD Executive Committee Mourn the Loss of Maggie Perez

With much appreciation for her active sense of service and her ever-friendly personality, the ESD 105 Board of Directors remembers the life and contributions of former member Maggie Perez

Maggie passed away at the age of 69 on July 4 at her home after a long illness from cancer. She was the veteran member of the ESD 105 Board when she ended her seven years with the group on May 3, shortly after attending this past spring’s AESD Conference in Vancouver. Maggie joined the ESD 105 Board in 2003, representing the west portion of the Yakima School District. She also served on the AESD Executive Board from 2003 until this past spring, including a term as its president during 2005-2006.

Maggie graduated from Sunnyside High School, earned her associate’s degree as the valedictorian of her class at Yakima Valley Community College, and obtained her B.A. degree in psychology and her master’s degree in education counseling from Heritage University in Toppenish. She worked in Yakima for Washington State University’s College of Nursing as the academic coordinator for recruitment, and previously held a position at Yakima Valley Community College where she helped displaced homemakers enter college.

“In her job at the college, Maggie was devoted to student success,” said ESD 105 Board president J.P. Enderby. “She was an active participant in the board member role, and gave thoughtful consideration to all issues. She represented us at regional and national activities, giving of her time and skills generously.”

She is survived by her husband, Patrick, three daughters, five stepchildren, and three grandchildren.

October 3 AESD Executive Board Retreat

The AESD Executive Board Retreat was held Wednesday, October 3, 2007, at ESD 112 in Vancouver. Please see ESD 112 for directions. See Minutes to review notes from the June 26 meeting. The Board met to discuss the 2007-2008 WASA Professional Services Contract, the ESD Performance Audit, legislative priorities for 2007-08, the AESD Annual Conference and the proposed 2007-08 AESD Strategic Plan. 

Consultant Susan Leddick, recommended by AESA, talked about meeting Goal 3 of the draft AESD Strategic Plan: “Further the development of ESDs as an effective statewide system of regional support.”

The ESD Coordinating Board met in the afternoon for a public hearing via videoconference regarding the ESD Performance Audit

November 16 AESD Meeting

The AESD Executive Board met November 16 in Spokane during the WSSDA Annual Conference. The ESD performance audits were a major topic of discussion, as well as preparation for the Legislative Session. Anticipation of the ESD/OSPI partnership was discussed, along with the OSPI budget proposal. Norm Wisner and Jim Shoemake, our AESD Legislative Liaisons, highlighted legislative and policy priorities and Norm highlighted the latest from Washington Learns (see Washington Learns for more details), including information about the final report (see Final Report.) ESD 189 Superintendent Jerry Jenkins described progress with the accreditation process and Superintendent Bruce Hawkins offered to share ESD 123's template for the legislative priorities brochure. Copies of the AESD Strategic Plan were distributed, with further work to be done at the next meeting.

State Superintendent Terry Bergeson and AESA Executive Director Brian Talbott were honored guests at the AESD dinner held on November 16. Martharose Laffey, WSSDA Executive Director, and Dr. Paul Rosier, WASA Executive Director, were also an important part of the meetings.

AESD Retreat

The AESD Executive Board met September 29 at Puget Sound ESD to conduct business and discuss the 2007 Strategic Plan. For the finalized copy, see Strategic Plan.

AESD Executive Board Chair Howard Coble introduced Dr. Jim Shoemake, who has been selected to assist with AESD Executive Services. Dr. Shoemake will be working with Norm Wisner, WASA Legislative Liaison, to provide professional support for the association. You may contact Jim at jshoe@harbornet.com and Norm at wisnern@comcast.net.

Legislative priority updates were also shared at the meeting, including: Core funding, early learning, drop-out prevention and Washington Learns.