About Tri-County ESC

Tri-County Educational Service Center

741 Winkler Drive, Wooster,OH 44691
Phone:(330)345-6771, Fax:(330)345-7622

Serving Ohio School Districts in Ashland, Holmes, and Wayne Counties.

Mission Statement

Tri-County Educational Service Center will provide evidence-based, innovative services that meet the changing individual and collective needs of the educational community.

What is an Educational Service Center (ESC)?

County boards of education were established in 1914 to serve local school districts. The county boards’ tasks were to elevate the state’s system of education; draft courses of study; provide in-service training for teachers; and assure quality instruction through supervision and evaluation. In 1988 county boards were also allowed to serve cities and exempted villages.

The role of the county board of education expanded over the decades. In the 1930’s they began assisting in district fiscal and purchasing services and in the 1960’s began operating special education services.

In 1995 Ohio legislature changed county boards of education to educational service centers (ESCs). This was more than a name change. The law redefined the role of the ESC, moving it from a regulatory to a service agency.

What is the ESC’s role today?

ESCs are a vital component in Ohio’s educational system, providing services to 95% of Ohio’s students in more than 600 public school districts. ESCs provide a wide variety of support services to administrators, educators, and students in areas such as school psychology, course of study development, technology support and coordination, fine arts and gifted programs for students, and special education supervision. Many ESC personnel are located in schools working with staff and students on a day-to-day basis.

How are ESCs funded?

ESCs are defined in state and federal law as school districts and receive some state funds on a per pupil basis. ESCs can contract services to customer districts both inside and outside of their service area and many ESCs seek funding from grants.

Why Tri-County ESC?

County boards of education were encouraged to merge if they served less than 8000 students and in 1994 Ashland and Wayne Counties merged to form Ashland-Wayne County Board of Education and with the name change in 1995 became Ashland-Wayne County Educational Service Center.

In 1996 Holmes County merged with Ashland and Wayne Counties and became Tri-County Educational Service Center serving over 30,000 students.

Tri-County ESC is one of the largest ESCs in the state, serving 19 school districts, which include 12 local districts, 3 city districts, 2 exempted village districts and 2 career centers.

What special services and programs are offered by Tri-County ESC?
Tri-County ESC offers a wide variety of services. The following is a small sample.

For Educators

• Entry Year Program
• Masters Course
• Grant Writing Services
• Teacher Collaboration
• Curriculum Consulting
• Special Education Supervision

For Students

• Virtual Learning Academy
• International Baccalaureate Programme
• Spelling Bees
• Enrichment Academies
• High School Speech Contest
• Fine Arts Festivals