ESD Cabinet Bio: Dr. Twyla Barnes
Dr. Twyla Barnes, Superintendent
Dr. Twyla Barnes is superintendent and chief executive officer of Educational Service District 112 in Vancouver, Washington. ESD 112 is a public education agency serving over 100,000 students in grades K-12 in the 30 school districts of southwest Washington. The agency provides technical assistance, oversight, and management to schools through a wide variety of education and community-based services. ESD 112 employs over 700 people; many based in communities throughout the six county region.
A long-time champion of public education, Dr. Barnes' career includes three decades of both teaching and administrative positions in Montana, Alaska, and Washington. She has served in her current position for 11 years. Dr. Barnes earned her doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. Her Master's Degree in Administration was earned at the University of Alaska, and Bachelor of Science from the University of Montana.
Dr. Barnes is active in civic and regional affairs in Vancouver and surrounding counties. She has served on boards of several organizations including the Southwest Washington Medical Center, Vancouver National Historic Reserve Trust, Columbia River Economic Development Council, and Washington State University Advisory Board. She has been recognized as a Clark County Woman of Achievement. She chairs the Washington State Information Processing Cooperative Board, and Governor Gary Locke appointed her to the Telecommunications Oversight and Policy Council. Nationally, Dr. Barnes served as president of the Association of Educational Service Agencies and as a special advisor to the U.S. Department of Education for the "No Child Left Behind" Act.