Serving children, schools and their communities for more than 50 years
Who We Are
Who We Are
Educational Service District 112 is one of nine statutory regional service agencies in the state of Washington. Created by the legislature more than 50 years ago, ESDs work to ensure equitable educational opportunities for all students—urban and rural alike. ESDs are an essential partner in the efficient operation of Washington’s 295 school districts and provide millions of dollars in services to schools through cooperatives, trusts, and competitive state, federal and private funds.
Our service region spans 30 school districts, two state schools, and numerous private schools. We also provide additional services to districts throughout the state in partnership with Washington’s eight other Educational Service Districts. Through the facilitation of partnerships, cooperatives, state and federal grants, and fee for service work, ESD 112 helps districts leverage resources to achieve program efficiency and cost savings.
In addition to acting as a liaison between local districts and the State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction to deliver programs mandated by the state, Washington’s ESDs are public entities, which operate in a highly entrepreneurial fashion. We blend the benevolence of the public sector with the spirit and ingenuity of the private sector to achieve results for our school district partners and programs.
Superintendent’s Report
Read a message from Tim Merlino highlighting ESD 112’s Behavioral Health & Regional School Safety Center.
Our Mission & Goals
Our Mission
ESD 112 equalizes educational opportunities for learning communities through innovative partnerships, responsive leadership, and exceptional programs.
Our Goals
- Support all learners in demonstrating high levels of performance and civic engagement.
- Anticipate and respond to changing needs through collaboration and strategic alliances.
- Utilize research and data to create, strengthen, sustain, and deliver quality programs and services.
- Engage the ESD, schools, and community through effective communication.
- Provide a work environment that values employees and creates opportunities for growth, contribution, and reward.
- Maintain fiscal integrity and manage resources to ensure our viability and capacity to serve.
What We Do
Scope of Service
They say that necessity is the mother of invention. That certainly is true at ESD 112, where approximately 250 innovative programs have evolved over the past 50+ years to meet the emerging needs of more than 100,000 students in 200 schools.
About 700 ESD 112 professionals provide support to 30 public school districts and more than 25 private schools in Southwest Washington’s six counties including Clark, Skamania, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, Klickitat and Pacific. We also serve the Washington State School for the Blind and the Washington School for the Deaf, and assist with other educational services for homeschooling and child care.
Our scope of services is wide and varied. It includes but is not limited to curriculum; instructional support and assessment; business operations; transportation; youth employment; communications; printing; public engagement; data processing; payroll; fingerprinting; network support; a statewide K-20 computer network; traffic safety education; construction management; preschool programs; homeless transportation; para-educator training; mental and behavioral health services; and special education.
The National Perspective
The National Perspective
ESD 112 is similar to other regional support systems throughout the country working to stretch limited dollars over demands for ever increasing services. Our agency is part of a larger network of regional educational entities under the umbrella of the Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA). Nationwide, the value of these innovative service agencies has been emphasized by their inclusion in reauthorization language of federal school mandates and funding. One of the great strengths of ESDs is their ability to pool resources for the common benefit of students and taxpayers.
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ESD Leadership News
Erin Lucich honored with 2025 AWSP President’s Award for leadership support
Erin Lucich, a dedicated leader in education, has been named the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP) President’s Award. Lucich is the Director of School Improvement & Educational Leadership at [...]
ESD 112 Board selects Mel Netzhammer for district 5 seat
Educational Service District 112's Board of Directors appointed Dr. Mel Netzhammer to represent District 5, which encompasses parts of Vancouver and Evergreen School Districts. Netzhammer, who will retire as Chancellor of Washington State University Vancouver [...]
Recognizing ESD 112’s Board of Directors this January
This January, as we celebrate School Board Recognition Month, we spotlight the six dedicated volunteers who serve on the ESD 112 Board of Directors. These individuals bring their expertise, passion, and community perspective to [...]
School leaders call for legislative action on big 3 priorities at ESD 112 Legislative Forum
On November 20, 2024, more than 50 school superintendents and education leaders from across Southwest Washington gathered virtually for the ESD 112 2024-25 Legislative Forum. The forum provided a vital opportunity for regional educators to [...]
ESD 112 equalizes educational opportunities for learning communities through innovative partnerships, responsive leadership, and exceptional programs.