Get to Know 123

Overview

Our Mission

ESD 123 Mission Statement:  One Team...Helping all students realize their dreams and aspirations...We are ESD 123!


Culture Playbook

Our culture is the heart of our educational service district. It makes ESD 123 a special place to learn and work, and it give us a unique advantage. Building and sustaining our culture requires intentional effort from everyone in agency. The culture playbook is part of that effort. 

Get the Culture Playbook here (available in English and Spanish).
See the Culture Playbook Belief-Behavior-Outcome Chart.

Strategic Direction

Our Strategic Direction is a formal document that outlines the goals and objectives of the agency. This document is established by the Superintendent and Board of Directors.

See the ESD 123 Strategic Direction document here (available in English and Spanish).   

Purpose of Educational Service Districts

Districts and Service Region

photograph of a country road with an overlaid map of the southeast Washington counties
ESD 123 supports 23 school districts in Adams, Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Franklin, Garfield, and Walla Walla counties

  • Asotin-Anatone
  • Clarkston
  • College Place
  • Columbia
  • Dayton
  • Dixie
  • Finley
  • Kahlotus
  • Kennewick
  • Kiona-Benton City
  • North Franklin
  • Othello
  • Pasco
  • Paterson
  • Pomeroy
  • Prescott
  • Prosser
  • Richland
  • Star
  • Starbuck
  • Touchet
  • Waitsburg
  • Walla Walla

ESD 123 Regional Map

Leadership

Board of Directors

organization chart iconOur Board consists of nine members. Board members are elected to a staggered four-year term. Board meetings are generally held on the fourth Thursday of each month.

Learn more about the ESD 123 Board of Directors.


Superintendent

Learn more about ESD 123 Superintendent Steve McCullough by visiting our Superintendent’s Office webpage.


Department Directors

View our full ESD 123 Organization Chart on Pingboard here.

Administration:

  • Kristi Hofheins, Assistant Superintendent, Educational Services
  • Kaylee Bolt, Director of Human Resources
  • Elena Olmstead, Director of Communications

Finance & Operations: Mike Paquette, Assistant Superintendent, Finance & Operations

  • Chris Ryckman, Directory of Technology
  • John Palomarez, Facilities Manager

Teaching & Learning: Molly Hamaker-Teals, Executive Director of Teaching & Learning

  • Keeley Gant, Director of Career and Technical Education
  • Dr. Jennifer Cowgill, Director of Multilingual Learning

Student Services: Kendra Palomarez, Executive Director of Student Services

  • Margarita Alaman, 21st Century Program Director
  • Leslie Stahlnecker, Director of School Health Services
  • Dana Camarena, Student Support Director
  • Melanie Olson, TC Futures Director
  • Lupe Mota, Migrant Education Program Director
Special Services: Justin Bradford, Executive Director of Special Services
  • Kellie Musick, Director of B-3 Early Intervention Services
  • Betsy Schluge, Director of Audiological Services
  • Christy Jones, Director of Candy Mountain Academy
Early Learning: Dr. Matt Bona, Executive Director of Early Learning
  • Heather Pearson, Director of ECEAP

Directories

Policies and Procedures

The ESD Policies and Procedures guide our operations. Personnel policies, including leave and calendaring, are in the 5000 series.

Annual Employee Events

balloons and streamersAll Staff Day

The ESD 123 Annual All Staff Day is held in September. All staff are expected to attend. This is your chance to meet and visit with colleagues from other sites as we all come together for a variety of workshops & an employee benefit fair, when offered.

Spirit Week

Spirit Week is an opportunity for our ESD 123 One Team to come together for merriment, everywhere our work takes us. Since 2012, we have held themed outfit days during the week of Halloween. Each day there will be a different theme and opportunities to share photos out. This event qualifies towards a Well Day off.  Learn more about the Balance Program and earning a Well Day off here. 

Annual Summer Picnic

Employees and their families are invited to attend the annual ESD 123 picnic each summer to celebrate the hard work they have done throughout the year. Be sure to bring the whole family for BBQ, games for kids, music, and fun activities!

The annual picnic is paid for by the ESD 123 Sunshine Fund. You can learn more about the Sunshine Fund here. Thank you to all who contribute to the Sunshine Fund!

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