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What We Do

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ABOUT Education service districts

An Education Service District (ESD) is a regional educational support agency that provides various services to school districts within a specific geographic area. ESDs work to provide their partner school districts with a wide array of educational programs and services, many of which are too costly or limited in demand for a single location. By coordinating a program or service among multiple districts, ESDs are able to moderate costs and ensure that all schools, regardless of size or resources, have access to high-quality services and programs that can help improve student outcomes.

MESD is one of 19 ESDs in Oregon. Want to learn more? Check out Oregon’s Education Service Districts: Their Story and Context

About MESD

Multnomah Education Service District (MESD) has a long history of serving the educational needs of the Portland community, with roots dating back to the 19th century. We are an educational cooperative that provides a wide variety of programs and services on a regional basis to school districts in Multnomah County and beyond. MESD is instrumental in building a powerful and equitable system that serves students from birth to age 21.

Working together with our eight district components on behalf of nearly 85,000 students, we respond to the unique and pressing needs of local school districts and communities. Over 100 languages are represented across MESD. Each school district has different needs, and we offer a broad spectrum of solutions.

We facilitate inter-organizational coordination among education, social service, health care, and employment training agencies.

Our major areas of service include:

  • School Health Services
  • Special Education
  • Alternative Education
  • Technology Services
  • Outdoor School
  • School Improvement
  • Career Pathways
map of our school districts: Centennial, Corbett, David Douglas, Gresham-Barlow, Parkrose, Portland Public, Reynolds, and Riverdale School Districts

Our Leadership

Our Board of Directors
MESD is governed by a seven-member, elected Board of Directors who serve four-year terms. Five members are elected from zones and two are elected to at-large positions. Directors are not compensated for their services.
 
Our Superintendent and Cabinet

  • Dr. Paul E. Coakley, Superintendent
  • Sascha Perrins, Assistant Superintendent
  • Marifer Sager, Director of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs  
  • Angela Hubbs, Director of Curriculum
  • Todd Greaves, Director of Student Services
  • Doana Anderson, Director of Business Services
  • Bernadette Adeniran, Director of Human Resources
  • Reiko Williams, Director of Regional Equity Initiatives and Partnerships
  • Heather Severns, Executive Assistant to the Superintendent and Board Secretary

Our Staff
As of January 2024, MESD employed over 800 staff members. Our largest categories of staff are educational assistants and school nurses. MESD also employs certified teachers, school administrators, occupational / physical / speech therapists, and a wide variety of specialists and support staff. 

Our people make MESD strong!

OUR partner school districts

By Oregon Statute, MESD's primary customers are the eight public school districts in Multnomah County. The total enrollment of our component districts is more than 85,000 students.

Each district component has its own unique characteristics and challenges, and MESD works closely with each district to provide a range of educational services and support to meet the needs of its students and families.

Our component districts include:
Centennial        Corbett      David Douglas      Gresham-Barlow  
Parkrose           Portland     Reynolds               Riverdale


Program report cards, local & district service plans, and financial documents can be found on our Reports page.


Interested in learning more about MESD's funding sources and process? Check out How MESD is Funded