InterMountain Education Service District

The IMESD is pleased to announce its 2013 Crystal Apple Award winners: Cindy Criswell, Colleen Huston, Angelita Romero, and Lorena Valencia.  They were honored during the May 15 Crystal Apple "Excellence in Education" Awards at the Pendleton Red Lion, hosted by the InterMountain ESD.

Jim Reger, interim superintendent of the Milton-Freewater Unified School District, was honored as the 2013 Doug Flatt Memorial Leadership Award winner at the InterMountain Education Service District’s Crystal Apple Awards ceremony Wednesday (May 15) at the Pendleton Red Lion Hotel.

The Doug Flatt Memorial Leadership Award is named for the late Doug Flatt, who was the chief executive officer of Mid Columbia Bus Company. Flatt lost his life in a tragic plane crash while on business. In guiding the growth and operation of Midco, Flatt exemplified the finest qualities of leadership, attention to detail, service to his community, interpersonal relationships, and customer service. The purpose of this award is to recognize a school administrator from a Mid Columbia Bus Company school district who exemplifies the same qualities for which Flatt was legendary. The award is sponsored by the IMESD and Mid Columbia Bus Company.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, pursuant to ORS 294.401, that a meeting of the budget committee of the InterMountain Education Service District will be held on the 15th  day of May, 2013 at 6:30 p.m. for the purpose of receiving the budget message and budget document of the district for the fiscal year 2013-2014. The meeting will be held at the InterMountain Education Service District, 2001 SW Nye Ave., Pendleton, Oregon.

This is a public meeting where deliberations of the budget committee will take place and any person may appear and comment on proposed programs with the budget committee at that time.  A copy of the budget document will be available at 2001 SW Nye Ave., Pendleton, Oregon at the time of the meeting.

Mark Mulvihill,
Budget Officer

Originally posted: April 30, 2013.

The InterMountain Education Service District will honor 49 education staff members from 17 school districts and the IMESD as 2013 Crystal Apple Award winners during two ceremonies this month. A ceremony to honor 35 education staff from school districts in Umatilla and Morrow counties and the IMESD will take place on May 15 at the Pendleton Red Lion Hotel Ballroom, and a ceremony to honor 14 education staff from school districts in Union County will take place on May 22 at the Gilbert Event Center at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande.

Each year, the IMESD, along with local school districts, honors teachers and other education staff for their dedication and commitment to students, as well as their abilities to go above and beyond the call of duty in their schools. Nominations are submitted over a two-month period by administrators, coworkers, parents, students and community members. Winners are selected from these nominees by school district office administration.

Six small community high schools in northeast Oregon ranked among the best in the country for 2013, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Riverside High School in Boardman made the list with a bronze medal ranking for the fourth year in a row, based on the magazine’s evaluation. Only 13 percent of high schools nationwide received a bronze ranking, measured by state test scores and how well teachers prepare their students for college.

The Stanfield School District in Umatilla County, Ione School District in Morrow County and three Union County charter schools — Cove, Imbler and North Powder — were also awarded bronze rankings. All schools have fewer than 500 students enrolled.

The Ione School District has hired Sarah Crane-Simpson of Pendleton as its new principal, beginning July 1. Crane-Simpson will replace Jerry Archer who will retire June 30 after three years in Ione.

Crane-Simpson is currently a special education zone director for the InterMountain Education Service District, overseeing special education services in the Morrow County and Umatilla regions. She started at the IMESD in 2009 as a special education coordinator.

“After a lengthy process, Sarah clearly emerged as the top candidate,” said Ione Superintendent Dr. Mark Mulvihill, who is also the superintendent of the IMESD. “It’s obvious Sarah has the passion, skills and commitment to serve as our principal. We’re excited to have her start in Ione.”