Learn About ESU #13

    ESU#13 was established according to State Statues 79-201 through 79-1243. ESU #13 is an intermediate agency providing services to western Nebraskan schools in Banner, Box Butte, Dawes, Morrill, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, and Sioux Counties. As of January 1, 2005, ESU#13 also includes Cheyenne, Deuel, Garden, and Kimball counties.

Number of students: 15,300

Number of Districts: 67

Square miles: 15,600

ESU#13 Mission Statement

"Striving to meet the needs of learners by working with schools, families, and communities to achieve educational excellence through exemplary services and leadership."

PROGRAM of Services

• Administration
• Early Childhood
• Instructional Support/Core Services:
  • Media/ Coop Purchasing
  • SOAR Staff Development
  • Technology/WNDLC
• Student Support Services
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder
  • Coordination and Supervision of Sped
  • Deaf and Hard of Hearing
  • Meridian
  • OT/PT
  • Psychology
  • Resource Teachers
  • School Health Coordinator
  • Speech, Language Pathology
  • Transition
  • VALTS: Valley Alternative Learning Transitioning School
  • PACES: Panhandle Area Consortium Educational Services at Juvenile Detention Center

    The service unit also has two satellite offices. The Chadron office is located in Miller Hall on the campus of Chadron State College. It consists of an office and a distance learning classroom. The unit appreciates the support of CSC in providing this common space and also for allowing use of other campus meeting rooms for teacher training. Currently in transition because of the recent merger, the former ESU#14 building will remain as the Sidney satellite office. This site has a metal structure with a small meeting space.

    The ESU works in partnership with West Nebraska Community College and Chadron State College to address K-16 and graduate educational needs. Most ESU #13 professional development offerings are also available for graduate college credit through CSC with ESU staff members serving as adjunct faculty. The educational community is generally supportive of lifelong learning and stays informed on trends and research. Currently there are two districts that were selected to be part of the national Reading First project. The teaching population is aging, well-established and stable in their teaching positions. The area can expect some challenges as this group of educators begins to retire. Teachers are fairly traditional and conservative about adopting new trends, but are informed.

    ESU#13 serves a rural area in western Nebraska with a largely agricultural economic base. Scotts Bluff County is more highly populated than the other counties in the area. This creates a unique population pattern, a commerce center, a strong medical services professional group, and regional agencies of several kinds. The regional culture supports collaboration.