MISSION: B E THE ECONOMIC ENGINE FOR THE EASTERN SHORE OF M ARYLAND BY GRADUATING STUDENTS WHO ARE COLLEGE AND CAREER READY.

INTRODUCTION Who you are?Who am I?By the end of this session, what do you want to know and understand about ESMEC or rural collaborative?

Framework for Presentation:  Brief Overview of Maryland Public Education in Maryland  Brief Overview of ESMEC  Why was ESMEC created?  What is the source of funding?  Who does ESMEC serve?  Evolution of Initiatives  How has ESMEC changed over time?  Current Activities  What types of services are currently provided by ESMEC?  Successes  What have been the major areas of success?  Challenges  What challenges has ESMEC faced?  How has ESMEC addressed the challenges?  What potential future challenges will ESMEC need to address?

Public Education in Maryland: Very Brief Overview of Structure  GOVERNANCE – STATE  STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION  Appointed by Governor (5 year term)  Adopt Education Policy and Regulations  Appoint State Superintendent of Schools

Public Education in Maryland: Very Brief Overview of Structure  GOVERNANCE – STATE  STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS  Appointed by State Board of Education (4 year term)  Provide Leadership to Public Education, Libraries, and State Corrections Education and Training

Public Education in Maryland: Very Brief Overview of Structure  GOVERNANCE – STATE  LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS  Total of 24 School Systems that follow geographic borders of Counties and Baltimore City  Range in Size from 2,500 students to 160,000 students  Local Boards of Education (Elected or Appointed or Combination Elected and Appointed)  Fiscally dependent (funding sources – state formula and local government)  Appoint local Superintendent of Schools (4 year term)

Brief Overview:  Why was ESMEC created?  Who does ESMEC serve?  What is the governing structure of ESMEC?  How is ESMEC funded? (Budget )

Why was ESMEC created?  Formed 1986  Joint purchasing  Influence over state education policy  Common needs and challenges of rural school systems

Who does ESMEC serve?  Eastern Shore of Maryland  PA; Delaware; Virginia; Chesapeake Bay  Agriculture (Chickens)  Nine rural public school systems  65,000 students  FARMS 52%  Diversity 36% minority  Single Parent or Grandparent 50%  130 Schools  Smallest 11 Students – Largest 1,250 Students

What is the governing structure of ESEMC?  Bylaws  Nine Superintendents of Schools Serve as the Governing Board  President of ESMEC ‘rotates’  Monthly meetings  Executive Director  Part-Time - Contractual  Appointed by the ESMEC Governing Board  Provide Leadership to ESMEC  Six Committees  Instruction  Transportation  Human Resources  Food Services  Fiscal  Facilities

How is ESMEC Funded?  Member school system pay ‘dues’ ($11,000 per school system = $99,000 total)  Administrative Services for State Superintendents’ Association and Energy Trust  Corporate Support  Grants  Current Budget = $128,333

Evolution of Initiatives: How has the services provided by ESMEC changed over time?

How has the services provided by the ESMEC changed over time?  From Joint Purchasing, to:  Incubator for Shared Ideas  Superintendents Forum  CRAB  Committees  Facilitator for Building Capacity in Leadership  Board of Education and Superintendent Conference  Leadership Conference  Advocator for Public Schools  Economic Impact Study  Legislative Initiatives  Reducer of Costs  Energy Trust  Health Insurance  Special Education

Current Services: What types of services are currently provided by ESMEC?

What Types of Services are Provided by ESMEC?  Building Capacity:  Board Member  Superintendents  Aspiring Leaders  Teachers  Supporting Collaboration:  Teacher Recruitment  Committees  CRAB  Educating Decision Makers:  Economic Impact Study  Newsletters  Advocacy  Enabling Cost Savings:  Energy Trust  Health Insurance  Special Education  Purchasing

Successes: What have been the major areas of success for ESMEC?

 Provides a Process and Platform for Collaboration  Provides a Voice for Rural School Systems in an ‘Urban’ - ‘Suburban’ State  Provides Services to Save Funds and/or Reduce Cost Increases  Provides a Means to Share Opportunities, Challenges, and Solutions

Challenges:  What challenges has ESMEC faced?  How has ESMEC addressed the challenges?  What potential future challenges will ESMEC need to address?

What challenges has ESMEC faced?  Loss of State Funding  Turnover of Superintendents  Changing Political Atmosphere  Changing Demographics

How has ESMEC addressed the challenges?  Loss of State Funding  Superintendent Turnover  Changing Political Atmosphere  Changing Demographics  Pursued Grants, Corporate Partnerships, and Reduced Services  Executive Director and School System Staff Sustain Initiatives  Advocacy and Education  Education (Beacon Study)

What potential future challenges will ESMEC need to address?  Anticipating Needs and Providing Supports  Advocating for Rural Education  Evolving as an Organization

ESMEC Summary  Formed in 1986  ‘Bottom-Up’ Initiative (NOT ‘Top-Down’)  Governance – Superintendents  Evolved Over Time  Mutual Benefits  Forum for Collaboration  Platform for Advocacy

Questions?

Contact Information: Dr. JON M. ANDES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLAND EDUCATIONAL CONSORTIUM 202 CHESTERFIELD AVENUE CENTREVILLE, MD Phone: or x 132 Fax: Website: