Welcome to Region 8 ESC

· Cooperative Purchasing

· Technology Assistance

· Professional and Staff Development

While the services provided to each participating school may differ, the collaborative efforts are at the essence of the programs provided by all of the ESC’s across the state. The collaboration provided is multi-phased as it happens among the Service Centers, member schools of a single center, and member schools of more than one center. Funding for ESC’s is derived primarily from fees paid by each member district, grants and fees from workshops and conferences. At this time, there is no direct funding from the Department of Education.

 The Region 8 ESC provides numerous examples of collaboration while serving schools in fifteen counties. There are 35 public school corporations and 14 private schools enrolling approximately 96,000 students that the Region 8 ESC supports. Examples of some of the services provided include the Substitute Employee Management System (SEMS), Online Employment Application Services (Search Soft) and co-op purchasing of items such as buses and food services. 

 Schools across the State of Indiana are able to purchase a vast amount of supplies at reduced costs due to the collaboration of the ESC’s. This is not only true of supplies, but in many instances, equipment as well. Evidence of sound programs and strong cooperative purchasing efforts among the school districts has led to considerable value added to the financial structure of each participating district.