Jefferson county educational service center offers a multitude of online services
JCESC Vision
The Jefferson County Educational Service Center will be a leader in educational advancement by providing services and programs to political subdivisions and educational institutions.
Mission
To build capacity through innovative cost effective programs. To improve partnerships and collaborate with educational institutions, families, and communities within public and private settings.
Belief Statements
We Believe:
* our employees drive our success.
* in being financially strong to provide leadership and services that result in educational opportunities for all.
* in providing service-oriented, data-driven, and cost-effective programs.
* in the importance of increasing student achievement and enhancing teacher instruction.
* in collaborating to enrich life-long learning opportunities.
* in 21st Century learning and technology programs.
The Jefferson County Educational Service Center will be a leader in educational advancement by providing services and programs to political subdivisions and educational institutions.
Mission
To build capacity through innovative cost effective programs. To improve partnerships and collaborate with educational institutions, families, and communities within public and private settings.
Belief Statements
We Believe:
* our employees drive our success.
* in being financially strong to provide leadership and services that result in educational opportunities for all.
* in providing service-oriented, data-driven, and cost-effective programs.
* in the importance of increasing student achievement and enhancing teacher instruction.
* in collaborating to enrich life-long learning opportunities.
* in 21st Century learning and technology programs.
Jefferson County Educational Service Center Governing Board President Larry George, left, and Vice President Ken Simeral were recognized on Tuesday when two buildings were dedicated in their honor during a luncheon in Wintersville. The new professional development center will now be known as the George-Pugliese Training Annex and the JCESC office is now called the Kenneth D. Simeral Building. Both men have served on the board for the past 30 years to help improve education in local schools.
Two Steubenville buildings were dedicated in honor of some special leaders who have committed themselves to the furtherance of education.
Roughly 70 educators and area dignitaries gathered for a luncheon at St. Florian Hall in Wintersville on Tuesday to respectively name the Jefferson County Educational Service Center office and adjacent annex in honor of JCESC Governing Board leaders Kenneth Simeral and Larry George. The office located at 2023 Sunset Boulevard will now be known as the Kenneth D. Simeral Building in recognition of Simeral, who is vice president of the JCESC Governing Board, while a former church situated behind the office at 1913 Estelle Ave. will be called the George-Pugliese Training Annex in honor of current board president Larry George.
Dr. George Ash, chief executive officer of the JCESC, welcomed everyone to the event and said both men held a combined total of 60 years’ experience in improving education. As a result, the JCESC board wanted to show its appreciation and chose to rename the sites in their honor. During their long tenure, they and the board implemented the Virtual Learning Academy (VLA); provided shared legal and public relations services to save costs; formed the Utica Shale Academy at Southern Local and Columbiana High Schools to prepare students for the oil and gas workforce; and disbursed $590,000 in safety grants and $300,000 in other contributions for education. Additionally, Simeral and George have supported the Jefferson Health Plan, a partially self-funded insurance program that has saved entities $32 million annually, and also helped establish an infrastructure bank program that was approved this year by state leaders and offers capital improvement opportunities to local schools participating in the health program. Today, the Jefferson County ESC serves 82 of Ohio’s 88 counties through VLA and the Jefferson Health Plan and is one of 20 International Technology Centers in Ohio. Simeral and George further helped JCESC achieve accreditation through AdvancED, making it one of only eight ESC’s in Ohio to earn such a distinction.
Simeral, who served as JCESC board president for 30 years and is currently vice president, has also been part of the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School Board for 30 years as both president and vice president. He spent more than 40 years with The Ohio State University Extension Office and served Jefferson, Columbiana, Harrison and Monroe counties, eventually retiring as an associate professor emeritus. He was appointed to fill an unexpired term on the JCESC Governing Board and served as president for three decades, while he has spent the past two as vice president. He was introduced by Alan Hall, executive director of the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County and a longtime friend, who heralded him for his dedication to education and the community.
“People said Ken was a community leader and a community educator, and they were correct in that analysis. He’s supported the library system and has had a strong commitment to youth and education,” Hall said.
Simeral was humbled by the honor, saying the board’s sole focus has been to improve educational opportunities. He thanked God, his family, the past and present ESC board, administrators and staff, and local educators for supporting him through the years.
“I believe the board of education should set broad goals and agendas and hire good administrators and staff to help carry on the goals. I believe the community is only as good as the public education system can be. That’s why I believe it’s vital to fund public education,” Simeral continued. “I believe in shared services and I believe in the ESC’s concept to have education and services as close to the students as possible. Thank you so much for this great honor.”
George, a former news photographer and present owner of Photography by George in his hometown of Wintersville, has spent 30 years on both the JCESC and Jefferson County JVS boards and current acts as their president. He was introduced by Dr. Ash, who said George played an integral role in the acquisition of the training annex and assisted in gathering comments from neighboring properties on the plan. The structure will provide some much-needed space for professional development of local educators and houses the Help Me Grow and Family and Children First Council for both Jefferson and Harrison counties.
“Since I’ve known Mr. George, he’s always been an advocate,” Dr. Ash added. “He’s done excellent work and continues to show his passion and drive.”
“It’s been an interesting journey and I hope we’ve got many more years to ride,” George said. “It’s been a good experience. The county board…is there to help teachers and give them training and designs so they can do their jobs better. This honor should be the George-Simeral-Cunningham-Lollini-Schaefer-Pugliese Training Center [for all of the board members]. I feel as a county office, we have to be dreamers and go forth.”
More comments were made by governing board member Bill Lollini and Jefferson County Commissioner Tom Graham while proclamations were given by Ohio Rep. Jack Cera (D-Bellaire), state Sen. Lou Gentile (D-Steubenville), and Craig Burford, executive director of the Ohio Educational Service Center Association (OESCA).
“To provide over 30 years of leadership is amazing,” said Lollini, who added that the honorees’ heads and hearts centered on the needs of students and schools. “The biggest honor is to be able to call them my friends.”
Commissioner Graham said Simeral and George represented the best of both Jefferson County and humanity, while Rep. Cera and Sen. Gentile commended them for their service. Burford saluted the honorees and said buildings were brick and mortar, but the real work occurred inside those spaces JCESC has operated at the Sunset Boulevard site since 1981, but the building was owned by county commissioners until the ESC purchased it in 2002. Meanwhile, the former House of Faith Church and parsonage were acquired in early 2015 as a professional development center, which is imperative since the ESC conducted nearly 120 sessions this past school year and trained nearly 3,000 teachers and administrators. JCESC officials also recognized the Charles M. and Thelma M. Pugliese Charitable Foundation, which has funded well over $5 million in charitable grants since 1999 to help improve schools, communities, and nonprofit organizations. Because of the foundation’s continued support, the Pugliese name will also be bestowed upon the new annex. Furthermore, Steubenville city leaders were lauded for supporting the property acquisition.
“It feels good to be able to do what we can to help, and the Pugliese Foundation has been able to donate funds to the community that can help enhance the area,” said Tom Timmons, a trustee for the Pugliese Foundation. He added that the training center was another viable means to assist the community.
“Over the past several years, I have witnessed first-hand their dedication to area youth and educatíon. As we move forward, may the signs outside of George-Pugliese and Kenneth D. Simeral Buildings serve as a reminder to all those who walk through the door of what it means to be dedicated and provide service to the community,” concluded JCESC Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko. “May all the decisions and activities that take place ínside of those walls be made in the best interest of the students we serve and may we continue carry out the exemplary practices set by these two leaders.”
JCESC Earns High-Performance Designation
STEUBENVILLE- The Jefferson County Educational Service Center has been designated by the state as a high-performing ESC for its efforts to provide myriad services in a cost-effective manner.
Officials learned of the distinction through the Ohio Department of Education’s Office of Budget and School Funding after making an application this past summer. ODE officials indicated that ESC’s across the state reported more than $54 million in savings for the services they submitted to the department. This represents significant value that ESC’s are providing to local school districts, which is only a fraction of the total savings provided each year.
JCESC Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko said documentation was provided to the department for consideration and information included such services as psychologists, speech therapists, legal services, occupational therapists, and a teacher for the visually impaired. In all, the services yielded a total savings of $654,370-- or 36 percent over independent or private vendor costs. According to the ODE, cost savings across all five of the primary services must generate a minimum of 5 percent for an ESC to be classified as high-performing.
“Our goals are to provide quality services in the most cost-effective manner possible,” Dr. Kokiko added. “We’re very pleased to receive this designation and that we’re able to provide that level of savings to the districts so they can re-invest and repurpose those funds for other needs.”
In the application, officials noted that JCESC embraced a system-wide culture of service to help meet a wide array of client needs.
“JCESC coordinates collaborative programs to eliminate duplication of human and financial resources, participates in interagency collaborative programs across Columbiana, Jefferson and Harrison counties to provide efficient, cost-
effective responses to at-risk student issues, and provides collaborative, cost-effective direct services for students with disabilities,” it stated. “JCESC client districts are located in the Appalachian region of Ohio covering more than 800 square miles and serving a little more than 11,000 students. Given the vast region and limited resources, collaboration enables the necessary services to be provided in the most economical manner possible.”
JCESC serves Buckeye Local, Edison, Harrison Hills, Indian Creek, Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Jefferson County Joint Vocational School, Southern, Steubenville, and Toronto City Schools in Ohio as well as St. Paul School in Weirton, W.Va.
STEUBENVILLE- The Jefferson County Educational Service Center has been designated by the state as a high-performing ESC for its efforts to provide myriad services in a cost-effective manner.
Officials learned of the distinction through the Ohio Department of Education’s Office of Budget and School Funding after making an application this past summer. ODE officials indicated that ESC’s across the state reported more than $54 million in savings for the services they submitted to the department. This represents significant value that ESC’s are providing to local school districts, which is only a fraction of the total savings provided each year.
JCESC Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko said documentation was provided to the department for consideration and information included such services as psychologists, speech therapists, legal services, occupational therapists, and a teacher for the visually impaired. In all, the services yielded a total savings of $654,370-- or 36 percent over independent or private vendor costs. According to the ODE, cost savings across all five of the primary services must generate a minimum of 5 percent for an ESC to be classified as high-performing.
“Our goals are to provide quality services in the most cost-effective manner possible,” Dr. Kokiko added. “We’re very pleased to receive this designation and that we’re able to provide that level of savings to the districts so they can re-invest and repurpose those funds for other needs.”
In the application, officials noted that JCESC embraced a system-wide culture of service to help meet a wide array of client needs.
“JCESC coordinates collaborative programs to eliminate duplication of human and financial resources, participates in interagency collaborative programs across Columbiana, Jefferson and Harrison counties to provide efficient, cost-
effective responses to at-risk student issues, and provides collaborative, cost-effective direct services for students with disabilities,” it stated. “JCESC client districts are located in the Appalachian region of Ohio covering more than 800 square miles and serving a little more than 11,000 students. Given the vast region and limited resources, collaboration enables the necessary services to be provided in the most economical manner possible.”
JCESC serves Buckeye Local, Edison, Harrison Hills, Indian Creek, Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Jefferson County Joint Vocational School, Southern, Steubenville, and Toronto City Schools in Ohio as well as St. Paul School in Weirton, W.Va.
JCESC Named Effective Sponsor
STEUBENVILLE- The Jefferson County Educational Service Center has earned a rating as an effective sponsor, making it among only five sponsors in the state to achieve that distinction.
Leaders were recently informed via correspondence from Paolo DeMaria, superintendent of public instruction for the Ohio Department of Education. Sponsors are defined as those who provide oversight and ensure that community schools are upheld to meeting the highest standards. The sponsor rating, which comprises the 2015-16 school year, is based on three equally rated components: academic performance, adherence to quality practices, and compliance with all applicable laws and rules. Based on the scores of each component, JCESC received an effective rating and was among only five of the 65 sponsors statewide to achieve the designation. The others include the Buckeye Community Hope Foundation, ESC of Central Ohio, St. Aloysius Orphanage, and the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation.
The sponsor rating scale includes seven to eight points to be considered exemplary; five to six points to be effective; two to four points to be ineffective; and zero to one point to be poor. JCESC obtained an overall score of five points and was found to be effective under the compliance component for meeting all relevant laws and rules and for monitoring their schools’ compliance with the codes.
JCESC Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko said the state hired a third-party entity to interview the sponsors and a bevy of documentation and evidence was submitted for review. The ESC submitted initial evidence through the ODE to the evaluator and a four-hour phone conference took place in July to provide further dialogue and evidence. Sponsors also had a 24 hour window following the interview to submit additional data for review if necessary.
“I was very excited about the rating the ESC received, knowing the amount of hard work and dedication our staff put into the sponsorship process,” Dr. Kokiko added. “The fact that only 7 percent of the sponsors in the state reach the Ohio Department of Education. Sponsors are defined as those who provide oversight and ensure that community schools are upheld to meeting the highest standards. The sponsor rating, which comprises the 2015-16 school year, is based on three equally rated components: academic performance, adherence to quality practices, and compliance with all applicable laws and rules. Based on the scores of each component, JCESC received an effective rating and was among only five of the 65 sponsors statewide to achieve the designation. The others include the Buckeye Community Hope Foundation, ESC of Central Ohio, St. Aloysius Orphanage, and the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation.
The sponsor rating scale includes seven to eight points to be considered exemplary; five to six points to be effective; two to four points to be ineffective; and zero to one point to be poor. JCESC obtained an overall score of five points and was found to be effective under the compliance component for meeting all relevant laws and rules and for monitoring their schools’ compliance with the codes.
JCESC Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko said the state hired a third-party entity to interview the sponsors and a bevy of documentation and evidence was submitted for review. The ESC submitted initial evidence through the ODE to the evaluator and a four-hour phone conference took place in July to provide further dialogue and evidence. Sponsors also had a 24 hour window following the interview to submit additional data for review if necessary.
“I was very excited about the rating the ESC received, knowing the amount of hard work and dedication our staff put into the sponsorship process,” Dr. Kokiko added. “The fact that only 7 percent of the sponsors in the state reached the standard speaks to the rigors of the process. The Ohio Department of Education has tasked sponsors with holding charter schools accountable and to ensure they provide a quality education to the students they serve.”
JCESC serves Buckeye Local, Edison, Harrison Hills, Indian Creek, Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Jefferson County Joint Vocational School, Southern, Steubenville, and Toronto City Schools in Ohio plus St. Paul School in Weirton, W.Va.
STEUBENVILLE- The Jefferson County Educational Service Center has earned a rating as an effective sponsor, making it among only five sponsors in the state to achieve that distinction.
Leaders were recently informed via correspondence from Paolo DeMaria, superintendent of public instruction for the Ohio Department of Education. Sponsors are defined as those who provide oversight and ensure that community schools are upheld to meeting the highest standards. The sponsor rating, which comprises the 2015-16 school year, is based on three equally rated components: academic performance, adherence to quality practices, and compliance with all applicable laws and rules. Based on the scores of each component, JCESC received an effective rating and was among only five of the 65 sponsors statewide to achieve the designation. The others include the Buckeye Community Hope Foundation, ESC of Central Ohio, St. Aloysius Orphanage, and the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation.
The sponsor rating scale includes seven to eight points to be considered exemplary; five to six points to be effective; two to four points to be ineffective; and zero to one point to be poor. JCESC obtained an overall score of five points and was found to be effective under the compliance component for meeting all relevant laws and rules and for monitoring their schools’ compliance with the codes.
JCESC Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko said the state hired a third-party entity to interview the sponsors and a bevy of documentation and evidence was submitted for review. The ESC submitted initial evidence through the ODE to the evaluator and a four-hour phone conference took place in July to provide further dialogue and evidence. Sponsors also had a 24 hour window following the interview to submit additional data for review if necessary.
“I was very excited about the rating the ESC received, knowing the amount of hard work and dedication our staff put into the sponsorship process,” Dr. Kokiko added. “The fact that only 7 percent of the sponsors in the state reach the Ohio Department of Education. Sponsors are defined as those who provide oversight and ensure that community schools are upheld to meeting the highest standards. The sponsor rating, which comprises the 2015-16 school year, is based on three equally rated components: academic performance, adherence to quality practices, and compliance with all applicable laws and rules. Based on the scores of each component, JCESC received an effective rating and was among only five of the 65 sponsors statewide to achieve the designation. The others include the Buckeye Community Hope Foundation, ESC of Central Ohio, St. Aloysius Orphanage, and the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation.
The sponsor rating scale includes seven to eight points to be considered exemplary; five to six points to be effective; two to four points to be ineffective; and zero to one point to be poor. JCESC obtained an overall score of five points and was found to be effective under the compliance component for meeting all relevant laws and rules and for monitoring their schools’ compliance with the codes.
JCESC Superintendent Dr. Chuck Kokiko said the state hired a third-party entity to interview the sponsors and a bevy of documentation and evidence was submitted for review. The ESC submitted initial evidence through the ODE to the evaluator and a four-hour phone conference took place in July to provide further dialogue and evidence. Sponsors also had a 24 hour window following the interview to submit additional data for review if necessary.
“I was very excited about the rating the ESC received, knowing the amount of hard work and dedication our staff put into the sponsorship process,” Dr. Kokiko added. “The fact that only 7 percent of the sponsors in the state reached the standard speaks to the rigors of the process. The Ohio Department of Education has tasked sponsors with holding charter schools accountable and to ensure they provide a quality education to the students they serve.”
JCESC serves Buckeye Local, Edison, Harrison Hills, Indian Creek, Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Jefferson County Joint Vocational School, Southern, Steubenville, and Toronto City Schools in Ohio plus St. Paul School in Weirton, W.Va.
Launched in 1985, Jefferson Health Plan (JHP) is a non-profit, partially self-insured consortium designed to provide economical services and health care related benefits to non-Federal political subdivisions through group purchasing. The JHP is dedicated to serving the financial needs of its members’ group benefit programs while responding to the employee’s desire for access to high-quality care. JHP maintains strong cash reserves providing groups in JHP greater security and stability with their overall healthcare benefit plans.
JHP’s membership includes over 250 schools, colleges, libraries, health districts, housing authorities, cities, townships and villages all across Ohio. Types of plans provided include medical benefits, prescription drug benefits, life and AD&D insurance, dental benefits and vision benefits. Members have access to almost every healthcare network and a wide variety of third party administrators in Ohio.
We brought on 10 new organizations in the past fiscal year which covers over 21,000 employees and approximately 57,000 individual lives.
JHP Booth at OSBA Trade Show 2016
JHP Semi Annual Membership Meeting in Columbus