Mission
The NESC supports schools through leadership and collaborative opportunities.
Vision
The NESC positively impacts schools’ capacity to offer high-quality education.
In an effort to provide more services and courses to rural North Dakota students, the Northeast Education Services Cooperative was formed on January 4, 2001. The cooperative permits coordination of education services and provides opportunities for shared and new services for schools. Leaders of participating schools are active in governance and administration of the cooperative. The NESC is directed by a governing board and an administrative board. The governing board (school board members and officials of the colleges) makes policy decisions on behalf of the member school districts and colleges. All decisions require unanimous approval, but any school district may opt out of particular programs. The administrative board coordinates the administrative services to the school districts and colleges. The administrative board consists of the chief administrator or designee for each school district or college.
In 2005, the North Dakota Legislature appropriated one million dollars toward the formation of Regional Education Associations (REAs). Originally created to provide an infrastructure to save money through more collaboration among regional schools, REAs have expanded those services to support schools in areas such as technology, grant writing and enhanced professional development opportunities. Assisting schools in reaching their goals for student achievement has become central to their mission. The NESC is one of seven REAs in North Dakota.
The NESC has experienced significant growth over the years. In 2001 when the NESC was formed, 15 member schools contributed a total of approximately $15,000 for operations and the entity had a staff of one part-time director. Since 2001, the NESC has grown to six full-time staff members along with other various consultants for special projects. Today, the NESC has 24 member school districts including public, private, and tribal schools, as well as the ND School for the Deaf. The NESC also has two cooperating members (community college and special education unit) and six collaborating members. Funding for the NESC is acquired through membership fees, the state of North Dakota, ND Department of Public Instruction Grants, and other various grants including a US Department of Education Native Youth Community Project Grant (2017-2021). Funding for the NESC’s Technology Learning Cooperative is acquired through membership fees and ND Career and Technical Education. The NESC revenue does not include the 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant, which is managed through a separate fiscal program.
REA Century Code:
http://www.legis.nd.gov/cencode/t15-1c09-1.pdf?20140822101752
Education Entities and Resources in ND:
http://www.ndrea.org/index.php?id=76
