Serving On the ESD Board

ESD 123 Board Elections

The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) conducts elections in the fall to fill board positions on the state’s nine educational service districts (ESDs). An ESD board of director candidate must be a registered voter and live in the ESD and director district for which the candidate files.

Elections for members of educational service district boards of directors occur during the fall of odd-numbered years.  ESD board members are elected by current members of the public school board of directors within their ESD region.  Applicants for ESD boards cannot be current school district board members or employees, and must reside within the boundaries of and be a registered voter in the district for which they are applying.

For more information and resources on board member candidacy and elections, visit the OSPI website, or contact Kuniko Votaw in the Superintendent's Office at 509.544.5785 or [email protected].

Board Member Guidelines

The Educational Service District 123 serves the twenty-three school districts in Adams, Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Garfield and Walla Walla Counties. Board members are elected to a staggered four-year term. The electors are the school directors from each of the local school district in the ESD 123 region service area. To learn more about board member requirements, please contact the Superintendent's Office at [email protected] or 509-544-5785.
ESD Board member actions and responsibilities
 Action  Responsibility
Regular and Special Meetings
  • Participate actively in Board discussions and decision-making.
Agency Policy
  • Establish the Agency Policies which drive the focus of Agency actions.
  • Set Agency policy.
Evaluation of the Superintendent
  • Supervision of the Superintendent annually.
  • Review Superintendent’s contract.
Agency Budget
  • Establish and approve the annual operating budget. 
  • Inspect and approve expenditures and warrants. 
  • Approve annual employee compensation plan.
Employment of Personnel
  • Approval of all personnel hires, placements and terminations as recommended by the Superintendent. 
Communication with Partners
  • Maintain contact with other agencies, organizations and school districts as appropriate.
  • Maintain contact with selected legislators on matters pertaining to ESDs and local districts.
Learning and Growth
  • Develop knowledge of issues.
  • Encourage personal and professional growth.

Term of Office

Four years, elected by all the school districts in the Educational Service District 123 service area.

Meetings

Attendance and participation is expected at the following meetings:
  • Regularly scheduled monthly Board meeting. Fourth Thursday of Each Month: 3:30 p.m.
  • Annual Board Workshop. Winter (Eastside and Tri-Cities locations), usually in January
  • Board study sessions as scheduled. 2-3 Per Year (usually same night at Board meeting)
  • Special Board meetings as needed. 1 Per Year
  • School director dinner meetings. 1-2 Per year

Conferences

Representative Board members are requested to attend:

  • Association of Educational Service Districts’ (AESD) annual conference. April. Moves around state.
  • Association of Educational Services Agencies (AESA) annual conference. First week of December. Moves around United States.
  • Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA) annual conference. Third week of November. Spokane or Seattle.
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