Education Service Districts

Education service districts were established by the legislature to provide services local school districts are not able to offer economically or because of the small numbers of students involved. (ORS Chapter 334)

ESDs originated with the county school superintendent. These offices later became rural school districts. In 1963 the legislature changed the function of these districts to Intermediate Education Districts with authority to provide services and facilities to local districts. These services included central purchasing, library, curriculum materials, special teachers and special education services. In 1977 the legislature changed the name to Education Service District to be more descriptive of the agencies’ role in providing services to local districts.

In 1995 the legislature clarified merger procedures established by the 1993 Legislature, which reduced the number of education service districts from 29 to 20 and expanded their roles. The 20 ESDs serving Oregon’s 36 counties in 2004-2005 are:

1. Northwest Regional serving Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook and Washington counties
2. Multnomah serving Multnomah County
3. Willamette serving Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties
4. Linn-Benton-Lincoln serving Benton, Lincoln and Linn counties
5. Lane serving Lane County
6. Douglas serving Douglas County
7. South Coast serving Coos and Curry counties and Reedsport School District
8. Southern Oregon serving Jackson, Josephine and Klamath counties
9. Region 9 serving Hood River and Wasco counties
10. High Desert serving Crook and Deschutes counties
11. Lake serving Lake County
12. Umatilla-Morrow serving Morrow and Umatilla counties
13. Union/Baker serving Baker and Union counties
14. Malheur (Region 14) serving Malheur County and Huntington School District
15. Clackamas serving Clackamas County
16. Harney (Region 17) serving Harney County
17. Region 18 serving Wallowa County
18. North Central serving Gilliam, Sherman and Wheeler counties
19. Grant serving Grant County
20. Jefferson serving Jefferson County and Warm Springs Indian Reservation

(See map of ESD boundaries.)

The 2005 Legislature is considering a further reduction in the number of ESDs and changes in their responsibilities. To follow this discussion or for information about the final legislation, see OSBA's Legislative Services section.

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