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2014 AESD Annual Conference
April 10-12, 2014

"Never more important than now!"
Spokane * Davenport Hotel

To learn more about the conference, click on video


Preparations are already under way for 2014 AESD annual conference in Spokane. NEWESD 101 will host the event, April 10-12, at the historic Davenport Hotel and Tower.

The conference theme, “Never more important than now,” will focus on the growing and essential role of ESDs in the Washington education system.

The conference will examine local innovations and explore the challenges and solutions ESDs face as individual organizations, and as a statewide network.

The conference will feature a keynote address by renowned anthropologist and best-selling author, Dr. Jennifer James. In her book, “Thinking in the Future Tense,” Dr. James explains how organizations must develop new products and personalities in response to new economic and technological trends.

The Davenport is an elegantly restored, four-diamond hotel that will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2014. A conference video on the AESD Website – http://www.aesd-wa.org – provides a sneak peak at the venue and some the abundant shopping and entertainment options available in downtown Spokane. See you then!

Next AESD Executive Committee Meeting: June 25, 2013 at NEWESD101 in Spokane

The AESD Executive Committee will meet Tuesday, June 25, 2013, 12:30 - 3:00 p.m. at NEWESD101 in Spokane.

See AESD Accreditation (menu on the right) for information from Barbara Peterson, Puget Sound ESD, and Helene Paroff, ESD 101.

AESD President's Message

Welcome 2013 and a new era of government and education. Our new Governor Jay Inslee is hard at work with his staff and the new and changing legislature on so many issues, and at the top of the list is K-12 education and how it gets funded with a pledge of no tax increase. It will be interesting to see the outcome.

As ESDs we have a huge stake in all of this, and we as board members must continue to educate legislators and the public on the valuable professional programs and services we provide to K-12.

I hope all of you have received your copy of the AESD 2012 Executive Summary for Legislators. It highlights the small investment by the state that have yielded such Huge Dividends for Education. Thanks goes to Dr. Twyla Barnes and her staff for putting this great piece of information together.
At our retreat in October we had strong discussions and ideas on the four areas I had mentioned in our last newsletter and below is a summary of those:
1. McCleary Decision and implications for ESDS.
2018- $1.7 Billion for first phase… Cuts? Levy Swap? Sales Tax? Etc. Could K-3 class size fall off the table? Districts could have additional dollars… It could be a plus to buy services from ESDs.
2. Charter School Initiative and its implication and opportunities for ESDs and AESD: ESDs could provide services for teaching and learning, operational services and technical consulting. ESDs could help legislators with guidance on what policies need to be made and help with the implementation of those policies.
3. AESD relationships with various entities moving forward: Continue to enhance our relationship with OSPI. In order to help influence legislation we must communicate with our constituents we serve about what we are doing in common with other educational groups as we seek common ground. Use the McCleary decision as a focus.
4. Potential of new ESD services and programs: We need to stay involved in the process and keep our eyes and ears open for legislation that affects K-12 and how we can better serve schools. It will open the opportunity for new services.
We had a really productive retreat and look forward to following through with our ideas. Jim Shoemake and Marcia Fromhold are hard at work for us again, and if they call and need our help we need to jump into action. They are the best team to help and promote our ideas.

Well, it is getting close to our annual conference in Olympia this year at ESD 113. We hope all of you are getting your registrations filled out and hotel reservations made. It is shaping up to be a fantastic event and I look forward to seeing everyone there.

~Merle Kirkley, ESD 189
AESD President

ESD 113 Superintendent Bill Keim Selected as WASA Executive Director

OLYMPIA, Washington (February 28, 2013)–The Board of Directors for the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) is pleased to announce the selection of Dr. Bill Keim as its new Executive Director. Keim officially begins on July 1, 2013, taking over for Paul Rosier who will retire after seven years serving in this capacity.

"The Board of Directors is pleased with the selection of Bill Keim as our next Executive Director. His experience and knowledge of systems leadership coupled with his passion and commitment for public education make him an ideal choice to lead WASA," stated WASA Board of Directors President-elect Michael Nelson.

Keim moves into this position after serving 11 years as superintendent of Educational Service District 113 where he served 44 school districts and 70,000 students. Before moving to ESD 113, Keim served as superintendent in both Mercer Island and Cascade School Districts. He began his career as a classroom teacher in 1978 and has had several international experiences working to support children.
Upon hearing the news of his selection, Keim states:

“I couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity. As a WASA member, I have benefitted greatly from the leadership of four previous executive directors. I hope to continue growing the excellent organization they helped create and effectively lead WASA into the future.”

The WASA Board of Directors will officially approve the hiring of Keim at their board meeting on March 10.
Assisting the WASA Board of Directors with filling the position was Dennis Ray from Northwest Leadership Associates.

 

North Central ESD Superintendent Rich McBride designated as AESA President-Elect

The Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA) announced November 27 that Dr. Rich McBride, superintendent of North Central Educational Service District in Wenatchee, was selected by the AESA Executive Council as president-elect for 2013-2014. Dr. McBride will assume the presidency in April 2014, following the term of the current president.

While serving as a member of AESA for 10 years and in his position on the AESA Executive Council for the past two years, Dr. McBride has served as governmental relations chair. He has also been a member of the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) for over 20 years, serving as president in 2008-2009. He was honored with the 2011 WASA Leadership Award.

“It’s such a distinct honor to be called to serve as president-elect of such an exceptional organization as AESA,” stated Dr. McBride upon learning of his selection. “This is a unique opportunity to serve as an advocate and cheerleader for both the districts in our region and the hundreds across the nation.”

As president, Dr. McBride’s goals will be to:
• Continue to support AESA staff in their advocacy for public education in the nation.
•Support key initiatives, which build professional leadership at the central office and building levels.
•Support continued cooperation with other key educational partners/organizations across the nation to build public awareness and support for equitable funding.
•Continue to be an “unabashed cheerleader” for the success and continued progress of public education in our nation.
Dr. McBride further commented: “I look forward to working beside Executive Director Lee Warne and the AESA staff, and all of our members as we continue to promote the leadership development of our administrators and high academic achievement for our students. My deepest appreciation to the AESA Executive Council for this humbling vote of support for our organization.”

ESD Updates

Data Coaching initiative off and running in NEWESD 101

As data collection had become more prominent in accountability and assessment, the dilemma for many districts isn’t a shortage of information. Rather, it’s knowing where to find the right information and, ultimately, how to use it to improve teaching and learning.

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ESD 105 Teaching & Learning pioneers science lesson work using GLAD strategies

The ESD 105 Teaching and Learning department is pioneering some work this year that will help teachers use existing science lesson kits as a way to also assist students who need help in learning their language acquisition skills..

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ESD 112 Threat Assessment program keeps schools and communities safer and saves districts money

Thanks to a program that partners Clark County school districts, law enforcement, juvenile justice, and social service and mental health organizations, Clark County schools are safer, districts are saving money, and students are staying in school.

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Kids Learn Better with Case Management School Nurse Model

What if school nurses could take a holistic approach to individual student health? Would it improve academic success?
A recent pilot project answered that question with a resounding “Yes!”

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OESD Staff Christmas Angel Program

Eighteen Olympic Peninsula families are a little happier this holiday season, thanks to the generous staff of the Olympic ESD.

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Puget Sound ESD ‘Revs Up’ Work for Race to the Top Grant

Work is under way to begin implementation of the $40 million Race to the Top grant that will fuel programs and strategies to improve education for students in seven King County school districts.

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Board Member Newby retires


After devoting ten years of service to the ESD 123 Board of Directors, Mr. Dale Newby attended his final board meeting on October 25, 2012.

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AESA 27th Annual Conference

he Association of Educational Service Agencies welcomed nearly 800 ESA board members and CEOs to Tampa, November 28 to December 1, for their 27th annual conference.


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New NWESD Mental Health program

This year NWESD launched a new Mental Health program. The program consists of fully licensed therapists and a supervisor, experienced in conducting therapy and case management with children and adolescents of all ages.

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AESD Mission Statement

Provide coordination to enable clear and appropriate communication between ESD Boards as a means for sharing ideas of common interest.