Superintendent's Note

October 2009

Governing Board provides direction for 2009-2010

This fall the ESCCO Governing Board met and provided confirmation of the agency’s strategic direction for the new school year.

The Board kept the same five agency goals that drive the work we do each day.

Those goals are:

• Build and sustain relationships that advance the mission of the ESCCO
• Pursue responsible systems and resource management
• Provide services that accelerate student achievement
• Be a high performing and healthy organization
• Communicate effectively

One change this year, is the agency’s work toward these goals will be directed through nine main initiatives, which are listed in no particular order.
 
1. Territorial Annexation Agreement
The Win-Win Agreement that stabilized school district boundaries in Central Ohio is up for reconsideration. The then-Franklin County Board of Education was both a party to the agreement and a representative of the suburban schools in the original negotiations, and the ESCCO is committed to playing a similar role this time around.

We will also be involved in a study of student transportation between districts to see if we can reduce district costs and time on buses for these students.

2. Assistive Technology
There is a growing need for assistive technology to help students learn and communicate and help qualified professionals aid in this process. The ESC will begin to study how we can gather these resources to the benefit of our member districts.

3. English Language Learners
The ESC also hopes to help districts better serve the growing student population of English Language Learners, the students for whom English is not their native language.

4. Related Services Delivery
There is always an incredible need for Related Service staff for districts. This year we will examine the best methods of staffing, resourcing and fulfilling the incredible related service needs of schools with the work done by this group.

5. Demonstrate Accountability/ESC Study Commission under HB1
Educational service centers are the only public education function in Ohio left without an official accountability system for their results. This is going to change, likely soon. The ESCCO is trying to stay on top of this process and be part of the discussion creating guidance for ESCs. Last year we sought—and earned—accreditation for the same reasons.

6. Educator Quality (Administrator, Teacher, Paraprofessional, etc.)
The ESCCO is committed to improving educator quality in all positions and at all stages of careers. We have developed a comprehensive approach to aid educators as they progress in their careers, and we hope to work with the Ohio Department of Education to implement these plans.

7. Relationship Management Process Enhancement
We hope to improve our interactions with the central offices of our member school districts and partner agencies. Our intention is to use an informed process to help districts identify their needs and offer services designed around those same needs.

8. OCALI Long-range Planning
The Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence is a growing project that further integrated into the ESCCO last year. Executive Director Shawn Henry will lead efforts to develop a long-range plan that can maximize this statewide initiative’s impact for families and professionals working with individuals with autism.

9. SharePoint
This summer the ESCCO implemented the first phase of a Microsoft SharePoint system. This initial work focused on the agency’s public internet site and the foundation of OurESC, the employee intranet. This year, those sites will receive additional work and content, but the agency will begin to use some of SharePoint’s automation and knowledge management features to improve ESC processes.

Whew. If that sounds like a lot, it’s because it is. But I’m confident we will be able to achieve much in these areas. And when we do, our agency and—more importantly—the schools and students that we serve will be the better for it.

In Service to Children,

Bart Anderson