IMESD employees were encouraged to “Look to the Future” on Thursday, August 21st at the agency’s annual All Staff In-Service. Held at Blue Mountain Community College, the event included awards, speakers, a video and youth music presentation.
Superintendent Remarks
Dr. Mark Mulvihill, IMESD Superintendent, welcomed all 250 employees to the 25-26 school year. In his remarks, Mulvihill said public education is facing challenges, including attempts to change the federal government’s role in education. In Oregon, the 2025 legislative session ended with both wins and losses for K-12:
IMESD received a record funding allocation
Schools will see an 11% increase in the State School Fund from last session
Expenditures ate up quite a bit of this increase
IMESD’s 25-26 budget is an overall reduction budget, which was accomplished primarily through restructuring and staff attrition.
“There is a lot going on amid changing times. We’re starting to realize the true impact of the pandemic and witnessing increased polarization in the country. Public education is the bedrock of our democracy, and it is facing many differing views on what it should look like and what it should offer,” Mulvihill said.
IMESD’s board of directors, administrators and employees are creating a document to guide the agency into the future using themes of the agency service model, agency workforce and customer service.
“I can’t think of any other organization more prepared, more resilient, and more nimble than IMESD. Throughout our history, we faced innumerable challenges: recessions, mergers, opt-out, a pandemic. Through it all, we never took our eye off of our core mission: providing outstanding customer service in special education, technology, school improvement, and administrative services.”
Guest Speakers
Two guest speakers shared their personal stories about the impact of IMESD’s services. Jessica Hardy, mother of a student in the Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education program, said the classroom experience and skills her son received have helped him become confident and ready for kindergarten this fall. She said she is grateful for many employees in EI/ECSE who helped her child and family.
The second guest speaker was Aaron Bazan, a senior at Hermiston High School. In a heartfelt speech, Bazan shared how he has been positively impacted through IMESD’s Migrant Education Program. In his early high school years, he struggled with how to fit in and surrounded himself with peers who were not a positive influence. Bazan said that having Eric Volger and Abby Muñoz from the MEP mentor and support him in multiple ways really changed his outlook and perspective and he is on the path to academic success and a healthy life.
Years of Service Awards
At In-Service, Years of Service Awards were announced for employees who have worked for IMESD for 5, 10, 15 and 20 years (Years of Service Award List). One employee, Jeremy Lasater, was honored for his 25 years of service. Lasater is a Systems Engineer in the IT Department. He said that throughout his career he has enjoyed the camaraderie and family-like environment in the IT department. Lasater received a silver apple and framed certificate. 
Look to the Future
IMESD Vice Board Chair Kelly Bissinger also gave a short speech. He said he thinks of IMESD’s services as a strong, unwavering mountain that remains stable in the face of outside adversity or chaos. “Because of intelligence, strong work ethic, selflessness, inclusion and compassion, there is steel in the bedrock of the mountain that we are built on,” Bissinger said.
Watch the 2025 In-Service Video!