PRESCOTT, WA – Following the May 19 staff interviews and community forum, and last night’s final interview with the Board, the Prescott School Board of Directors voted unanimously to offer Justin Bradford the position of superintendent/principal, pending contract negotiations. The district will make a formal announcement confirming the finalized contract offer in a special board meeting next week.
One of three final candidates, Mr. Bradford is joining Prescott School District following the resignation of current superintendent, Brett Cox. Mr. Bradford would begin his new position in Prescott July 1, 2020.
Mr. Bradford has twenty-nine years of experience in education, with a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Eastern Washington University. He has an extensive background in leadership and special education and is currently the Director of Special Education, Curriculum & Instruction, and Assessments at College Place Public Schools. Mr. Bradford says he is accustomed to wearing many hats in a district and is looking forward to the combined superintendent/principal role in Prescott.
“I am very thankful that the Prescott School Board has provided me with this amazing opportunity,” Bradford says. “The selection process was fantastic. I look forward to getting settled into the community and getting to know the hopes and dreams of the students, staff, and families of Prescott. I am so very proud to be a Tiger!”
Prescott School District has utilized the services of Educational Service District 123 for their superintendent search. For more information, contact ESD 123 Superintendent Darcy Weisner at 509.544.5785.
###
TRI-CITIES, WA – The 21st Century program of ESD 123 is spending this week delivering 700 bags of supplies to students and families at eleven sites covering six cities. Students from the following schools/centers will utilize the supplies to participate in fun learning activities and projects with their 21st Century site coordinators and facilitators via Zoom and YouTube:
- Finley Elementary and Middle School
- First Fruits Community (Prescott)
- Kennewick:
- Fuerza Elementary
- Highlands Middle School
- Family Learning Center
- Apostolic Center: Amistad & Eastgate Elementary
- Prosser:
- Housel Middle School
- Pasco:
- Lakeview Community Center
- Tierra Vida Community Center
The 21st Century sites operate at school buildings and community centers to offer academic support and enrichment opportunities to students and their families during non-school hours (before or after school) and during the summer. When schools closed in March, the 21st Century program got to work finding new ways to engage with students and families.
Margarita Alaman, 21st Century Program Director at ESD 123, joined three colleagues last week to fill the 700 bags (and maintained proper physical & social distancing).
“Families are excited that their students will have some things to keep them encouraged and engaged in different ways during this time,” Alaman says. “Our team is busy preparing YouTube videos and Zoom lessons to keep connecting with our kids.”
For more information, contact ESD 123 Director of Communications, Molly Curtiss, at 509.544.5787.
###
About ESD 123: Educational Service District 123, based in Pasco, WA, is one of nine ESDs in Washington. Dedicated to delivering collaborative solutions that promote learning, ESD 123 serves 23 school districts in seven counties of Southeastern Washington. Under Superintendent Darcy Weisner and its board of directors, this legislatively mandated, not-for-profit educational organization provides efficiency of educational systems and equity of learning opportunities for over 70,000 Washington students. For more information about ESD 123, please call 509-544-5700 or 888-547-8441 or visit www.esd123.org.
TRI-CITIES, WA - Nine educators from school districts across the Mid-Columbia, along with a longtime Tri-Citian who has devoted countless hours on work to pass Pasco school bonds and levies, are the recipients of this year’s 22nd annual Crystal Apple Awards for Excellence in Education. In a special video released on YouTube today by Educational Service District 123, superintendents from the nine participating school districts congratulated their winning teachers. (Watch the video at https://youtu.be/bfz_PW01hdU.)
The video recognition is being released in lieu of the in-person ceremony, which was originally scheduled for March but canceled due to the spread of COVID-19 and limit on gatherings. This year's nine outstanding educators were chosen by their districts for excellence in their profession and their positive and significant impacts on the lives of the students they work with every day. Each winner receives a $1,000 check, a glass “Crystal Apple,” an awards certificate, and other gifts provided by community sponsors.
2020 Crystal Apple Winners:
- Susan Rickords, 4th grade math, Columbia Burbank Elementary School
- Athena Pelly, 5 grade English language arts, Finley Elementary School
- Chenoa Meagher, Kindergarten, Sagecrest Elementary (Kennewick)
- Donna Baumgartner, 6th-12th grade visual arts, Ki-Be Middle and High School
- Lin King, K-sixth grade intervention, Basin City Elementary School (North Franklin)
- Analy Pruneda, 9th-12th grade Spanish and advanced placement Spanish, Othello High School
- Minerva Espinoza, Kindergarten dual-two-way language, Mark Twain Elementary School (Pasco)
- Kasey Karthhauser-Blair, 9th-12th grade Spanish and AVID, Prosser High School
- Brian Neill, K-5th grade counselor, Jason Lee Elementary School (Richland)
Mike Miller, president of Moon Security Services, is the 2020 Special Achievement Award Winner in recognition of his dedication and commitment to education and his work on the Pasco citizens committee that works to ensure passage of Pasco School District bonds and levies. He also has volunteered time to many other community services, including the TRIDEC board.
Money to support the awards and gift donations for the honorees are donated by numerous regional businesses, community organizations and individuals. Since its founding in 1999, the Crystal Apple has honored 244 outstanding educators.
For more information, contact Molly Curtiss at 509.544.5787 or mcurtiss@esd123.org
###
PRESCOTT, WA – Three finalists are moving forward in the search for the next superintendent/principal of Prescott School District. Following a formal search process that began in April, the Prescott School Board of Directors have recommended the following candidates:
- Justin Bradford, Director of Special Education/Curriculum & Instruction and Assessment, College Place School District, WA
- Catherine Dennis, Early Childhood Education Specialist, ICF Consulting, VA
- Jose-de-Jesus Melendez, Director of Language and Equity, Franklin Pierce School District, WA
The top three candidates are scheduled to participate in final district interviews virtually with Prescott’s district staff on May 19 and with the school board members on May 21, 2020. An open community forum will be held virtually the evening of May 19 from 6-7:30 PM using Zoom. All Prescott residents are encouraged to attend the community forum where they will be able to hear from each candidate.
Community Forum Zoom Information:
https://esd123.zoom.us/j/97282667924
Meeting ID: 972 8266 7924
Call-in Number via Phone: (253) 215-8782
The last contract day for current Prescott Superintendent Brett Cox is June 30, 2020. The Prescott School Board will meet to deliberate on the evening of May 21, following their interview. A formal announcement identifying the successful candidate is expected by May 22. The individual selected as Prescott’s next Superintendent/K-12 Principal will begin his/her position on July 1, 2020.
Prescott has utilized the services of Educational Service District 123 to conduct their superintendent search. For more information, contact Mr. Darcy Weisner at 509.544.5785.
###
About ESD 123: Educational Service District 123, based in Pasco, WA, is one of nine ESDs in Washington. Dedicated to delivering collaborative solutions that promote learning, ESD 123 serves 23 school districts in seven counties of Southeastern Washington. Under Superintendent Darcy Weisner and its board of directors, this legislatively mandated, not-for-profit educational organization provides efficiency of educational systems and equity of learning opportunities for over 70,000 Washington students. For more information about ESD 123, please call 509-544-5700 or 888-547-8441 or visit www.esd123.org.