2014-2015 ANNUAL REPORT

I invite you to review the contents of our annual report which reflects the many

accomplishments of our agency during the 2014-2015 operational year now ended. As

the individual department reports contained herein will document, Educational Service

Unit No 6 was successful in promoting new and continuing collaborative resources and

opportunities for educators and students in our region. Recognition and gratitude is

extended to the professional and support staff that planned and delivered the services

and programs of ESU 6. ESU 6 is truly greater than the sum of its parts because the

extraordinary staff works as a unit to produce greater change than could be achieved by

any individual or isolated department.

The impact of continuing and significant reduction in core services state aid revenue

was diminished because of effective planning and change. Nine years ago, the ESU 6

Leadership Team made a commitment to refocus with a streamlined strategic

improvement plan that focused the organization on 3 continuous improvement

goals: 1. Focus on customer satisfaction 2. Promote fiscal stability and growth,

and 3. Increase employee and organizational capacity. With this continuous strategic

improvement plan, ESU 6 took the bold steps necessary to position our organization for

the future by becoming entrepreneurial. This shift required a basic paradigm shift/

realization that if the services and products that ESU 6 produces are valuable to our

customers, then they would be willing to pay for them. We also resolved to review all of

our products and services to determine whether they were cost centers or revenue

centers. Our reality was that every effort had to be directed toward making the cost

centers profit centers if possible and if not, then to discontinue those services and

products if they were not mandated.

As one might predict, this was not an easy culture change for ESU 6, but we are in fact

stronger and better because of the change. We found that our customers would not pay

for second rate and that we had to ensure that everything we do is the best. Our true

commitment to customer satisfaction has led us to a much higher level of performance

at the individual, departmental and organizational levels.

This significant change could not have happened without the commitment and support

of the ESU 6 seven member elected board of directors. Their support and commitment

to customer satisfaction and focus on improved student and adult learning in everything

we do, has contributed immeasurably to our success. These individuals donate their

time and talent to ensure that ESU 6 is true to its vision and mission. The 7 directors act

as liaisons with our voting public and made the critical decisions that made the

transformation possible.

The ESU 6 tagline of “innovation through collaboration” can only be met if we are

responsive to the needs of our customers (ESU 6 Strategic Plan Goal 1). We strive to

make all of our customers "raving fans," so continuous feedback and input is an

essential component for the evaluation, design and delivery of our services. We

anxiously look forward to beginning a new year of partnership with our stakeholders as

we prepare to meet the challenges that lie ahead in promoting improved adult and

student learning.

Dr. Daniel J. Shoemake,

Educational Service Unit 6 Administrator

LETTER THE ADMINISTRATOR

STRATEGIC PLAN

GOAL #1 Focus on customer satisfaction

Objective 1: Facilitate innovation and leadership

through collaboration.

Objective 2: Ensure that every product and service

exceeds customer expectations.

Objective 3: Continuously expand customer base.

Objective 4: Explore effective and creative ways to

increase student achievement.

GOAL #2 Promote fiscal stability and growth

Objective 1: Improve the effectiveness of

department-based budget monitoring.

Objective 2: Reinvest customer dollars to provide

new solutions that impact student achievement,

district efficiency and economy.

Objective 3: Promote relevant programs, products

and services as determined by customer demand.

GOAL #3 Increase employee and organizational

capacity

Objective 1: Encourage staff to acquire the

knowledge and skills needed to adapt to emerging

technologies, work methods, and markets.

Objective 2: Improve professional skills of all staff.

Objective 3: Foster an environment of respect, trust,

courtesy and teamwork.

Objective 4: Ensure that every employee knows his/

her critical role in achieving individual and

organizational success.

VISION Educational Service Unit 6 is the

provider of innovative products

and services that are critical

and relevant to the organization

and its stakeholders.

MISSION Educational Service Unit 6 will

provide exemplary leadership,

services, and products that

promote improved adult and

student learning.

WHO WE ARE

Since the legislation that created the ESUs in

1965 and the subsequent startup of ESU 6 in

1966. ESU 6 , located in Milford, Nebraska, has

provided outstanding products and services to

local school districts. By combining resources,

equipment, and manpower, ESUs are able to

provide a variety of technology, student services,

professional development, and administrative

services that would otherwise be unavailable,

unaffordable, or inconvenient to individual school

districts.

While all ESUs are mandated by the state to

provide certain core services, ESU 6 also offers

additional services requested by the member

school districts. Simply stated, ESU 6 exists

because of the motivation of our member school

districts to share limited resources as well as best

practice Through collaboration, ESU 6 school

districts were able to achieve more for their

students in an effective and efficient manner.

ESU 6 serves the educational needs of students,

teachers, parents and administrators. It is our

mission to provide exemplary leadership, services,

and products that promote improved adult and

student learning.

In 2014-2015, ESU 6 served approximately

12,500 students and 1,300 teachers from the

sixteen K-12 school districts within our service

area. The primary counties we serve are Seward,

Saline, York, Fillmore, and Lancaster counties

(excluding the city of Lincoln).

ESU 6 is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors. The representatives are elected at general

election to serve four year terms.

BOARD MEMBER DISTRICT

NUMBER SCHOOL DISTRICT

Jan Myers, President 3 Exeter-Milligan, Fillmore Central, Friend, McCool

Junction, Shickley, Dorchester

Chuck Evans 1 Centennial, Malcolm, Milford

Bruce Dickinson 6 Seward

Sandy Blankenship, Secretary 7 Waverly

Eric Malina 5 Norris, Wilber-Clatonia

Dale Kahla, Vice President 2 Heartland, York

Larry Starr 4 Crete

GOVERNANCE

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS,

MEDIA & PRODUCTION SERVICES

ESU 6 maintains two libraries for school

personnel and parents to

access. These libraries offer current

information on a variety of topics as

well as in a variety of formats.

The Professional Development Library

is a collection of books and materials

that are linked to school issues. Some

of the topics include: classroom

management, curriculum development,

leadership, instructional strategies/

engagement, personal improvement,

anti-bullying resources, high ability

learners, Response to Intervention (RtI),

literacy and reading. All materials and

resources are available to our districts

by contacting the Professional

Development department.

The Autism Library consists of books

and materials on the topic of Autism

Spectrum Disorders. The books and

materials cover topics of interest to

both school personnel as well as

parents.

ESU 6 contributes core service funds to

the Ebooks Consortium formed by our

member schools. Media specialist from

each school meet together with ESU 6

Professional Development staff to

determine library titles and share ideas

regarding the use of Ebooks in their

schools.

ESU 6’s Production Center offers school

districts a variety of products and

services that school personnel can take

advantage of. The Production Center

consists of a copy center that produces

black/white copies and full color copies

as well as binding and custom design

services. In addition, the Production

Center produces NCR forms,

handbooks, business cards, banners,

die cut shapes, and laminated

products.

PROFESSIONAL

DEVELOPEMENT

The ESU 6 Professional Development staff conducts

numerous trainings during the year for teachers and

administrators, covering a wide range of topics. We

believe in the use of technology integration to not only

enhance the classroom but also to communicate with our

districts. Our upcoming 15-16 trainings and events can

be viewed on the Professional Development web page at

ww.esu6.org.

The Professional Development staff works primarily with

educators. Sessions are held at ESU 6 as well as in

individual school buildings. We believe in providing

professional development that is research-based and

supports school improvement. We are able to offer

graduate credit through Doane College on select

trainings. We offer a wide range of services and support

programs. There were 1,620 participants in the 2014-15

Professional Development trainings held at the ESU. This

total does not include the over 500 students who

participated in Youth Frontiers. The Professional

Development team also logged over 11,000 teacher

hours in our 16 school district buildings. Some of the

programs Professional Development offer at the ESU

include, but are not limited to:

Technology Integration Group (TIG)

English Language Learners (ELL)

Effective Instruction Series (EIS) for new teachers

Various Networks (Principal, Counselor, Media)

Analytic Scoring (both Fall and Spring)

Blue River Cohort (Dorchester, Exeter-Milligan, Friend,

McCool Junction & Shickley)

Instructional Coaches Training

Professional Development Advisory Committee

(PDAC)

Math, Science, Language Arts, and Social Studies

Training

Various RtI trainings

Youth Frontiers

Instructional Model Trainings at 8 districts

ESU 6’s TECHNOLOGY department provides consultation

and technical assistance for computer hardware,

software, networking, installation, and troubleshooting

throughout southeast Nebraska. We are the technology

infrastructure support for 25 schools, approximately

2,800 educators and over 17,000 students in ESUs 4

and 6.

During 2014-2015, ESU 6 provided the following services

to school districts.

Content filtering (CIPA compliance assistance)

Domain Management

Network design and review

Streaming virtual media services

DNS services

Unlimited phone support

Limited onsite support

Off site encrypted back-up

HD video conferencing technologies

TECHNOLOGY

STUDENT SERVICES

ESU 6 provides direct services to students age 0 to

21. The services range from one-on-one services to group

services in a classroom setting for special needs

students. The purpose of the programs is to provide

exceptional education for students regardless of ability.

The SUCCESS programs are located in Fillmore Central

Public Schools and serves age 4 to 21 whose disabilities

require more intensive staffing. Divided into three levels,

the focus of the SUCCESS program is to develop life skills

— communication, self-help skills, functional academics,

vocational skills, and independent living skills.

The TYKE programs are designed for all children ages 3 to

5, some of whom have disabilities so they can receive

special education in preschool settings. ESU 6 operates

three TYKE classrooms located in Geneva and Exeter.

The Home-Based program serves children with disabilities

aged birth to 3 in their natural environments – home and/

or daycare centers.

SELF (Students Engaged in Learning for their Future) was

started in 2011-12 through a cooperative arrangement

between ESU 6 and York Public Schools. Students served

in SELF focus on establishing positive relationships with

peers and adults while displaying appropriate behavior

and maintaining academic progress with their

agemates. Elementary aged students from York and two

other districts were served in SELF.

The Project SEARCH program provides real-life work

experience combined with training in employability and

independent living skills to help young adults with

disabilities makes successful transitions from school to

productive adult life. ESU 6 operates a Project SEARCH

program at York General Health Care Services and during

2014-15, served students from York and Wilber-

Clatonia.

ESU 6 also offered services, both direct and consultative,

to districts in the following programs:

Autism Consultations through the Nebraska ASD

Network

Deaf/Hard of Hearing Services

Early Development Network

Occupational Therapy

Psychological Evaluations including

assessments for early entrance to Kindergarten

Speech Language Pathology

SPED Financial Reports

Professional Development including the following:

Legal Updates

Transition Workshops for students aged 18-21

(Self-Advocacy and Transition 101 at ESU 6 and

Eastern Nebraska Transition Conference at

Southeast Community College in Lincoln)

ILCD (Improving Learning for Children with

Disabilities) Facilitation

Series of workshops addressing students with

behavior disorders

SRS (Student Record System) Update

Poverty webinars

Early Intervention Teams

Regional Speech and School Psychology Meetings

Special Education Compliance

Mandt Training

The Early Learning Connection (ELC) is an integrated

system of early childhood professional development. The

ELC consists of a statewide hub at the Early Childhood

Training Center and seven regional Early Learning

Connection Partnerships, along with other state and

regional partners. It is designed as a system that supports

the career and professional development of all who provide

programs and services for young children birth through age

eight. The ELC Coordinator for the southeast region of the

state is housed at ESU 6 and serves ESU 4,5,6 ,and

18. Training topics of high interest include the Early

Learning Guidelines, Early Childhood Administration, Safe

with You, and Social Emotional Development.

Similar to the Early Learning Connection, the Southeast

Region from the Nebraska Autism Spectrum Disorders

Network is housed at ESU 6 and serves an area larger than

ESU 6 – ESUs 4, 5, 6, and Lincoln Public Schools. The

purpose of the Network is to assist local school districts,

families, and communities in bringing quality education and

interventions that result in measurable outcomes to all

children in the Southeast Region who have Autism

Spectrum Disorder. Professional Development

opportunities are also provided on evidenced-based

practices for educators and parents in ESU 4, 5, 6 and

Lincoln Public Schools.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES During 2014-2015, ESU 6 provided many additional services to school districts, teachers &

students in and around the ESU 6 area. These services include, but are not limited to:

• Policy Revision Service sharing

• Academic Quiz Bowls

• Supplemental Education Services for schools not meeting Adequate Yearly Progress

• NWEA MAP Testing Software License cooperative purchase

• Lexia Software License cooperative purchase

• Delivery Services

POPULATION PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PEP

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CENTENNIAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 440 41 • • • • •

CRETE PUBLIC SCHOOLS 1,852 129 • • • • •

DORCHESTER PUBLIC SCHOOLS 182 21 • • • • • •

EXETER-MILL IGAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS 189 24 • • • • • •

FILLMORE CENTRAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS 542 43 • • • • •

FRIEND PUBLIC SCHOOLS 277 26 • • • • • •

HEARTLAND COMMUNITY SCHOOLS 333 30 • • • • •

MALCOLM PUBLIC SCHOOLS 516 40 • • • • •

MCCOOL JUNCTION PUBLIC SCHOOLS 270 23 • • • • • •

MILFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS 695 50 • • • • • •

NORRIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2,178 129 • • • • • •

SEWARD PUBLIC SCHOOLS 1,423 99 • • • • •

SHICKLEY PUBLIC SCHOOLS 148 22 • • • • •

WAVERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS 1,963 126 • • • • •

WILBER-CLATONIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS 580 39 • • • • •

YORK PUBLIC SCHOOLS 1,389 90 • • • • •

TOTAL SCHOOLS USING SERVICE 12,977 932 16 16 16 16 16 6

SERVICES

SCHOOL DISTRICTS

TECHNOLOGY

INFRASTRUCTURE

AND SUPPORT

PRODUCTION SPECIAL EDUCATION AN D STUDENT SERVICES

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16 14 13 14 15 9 3 6 6 2 11 16 10 3

FINANCIAL STATEMENT

ESU 6 is able to provide services through the revenue generated by local, state, and federal funds. The

majority of our funding is provided by contracts with individual school districts. Additionally, ESU 6

receives revenue from state and federal grants, property taxes, and core service funds. Core service

funds are allocated to provide core services in the areas of instructional materials, professional

development, technology and technology infrastructure.

ESU 6 2014 - 2015 FINANCIAL REPORT (Unaudited)

2014-2015 Revenue 2014-2015 Expenditures

Property Taxes $1,831,639 Special Education $3,191,668

Local Contracts $4,120,980 Federal Grant Activities $898,043

State Receipts $263,402 School Services & Contracts $1,006,030

Federal Receipts $1,291,978 Professional Development $753,089

Core Service Dollars $572,128 Technology Services $832,591

Instructional Media $7,450

Operations/Admin/Contracts $974,984

TOTAL $8,080,187 TOTAL $7,663,860

Educational Service Unit 6 | 210 5th Street | Milford, NE | 800.327.0091 | www.esu6.org