In continued efforts to maintain direction and focus, the NCESD Board of Directors has laid out the Board’s work in the 2024-2025 NCESD Board Work Plan. The purpose of the Annual Work Plan is two-fold. First, the plan ensures that the Board responds to and aligns with local school districts and NCESD initiatives. Second, that the Board considers stakeholder perspectives and aligns with stakeholder expectations, incorporating annual NCESD Owners Summit input into plan development. The Annual Work Plan serves to:
- Identify the Board’s core priorities
- Outline an actionable plan to accomplish the priorities
- Establish a timeline of important events in chronological and relationship order over an 18-month period.
- Create a visual and transparent display of the Board’s work
Board Meetings
The NCESD Board meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month, except during holidays or special events. Board meetings begin at 12:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted.
2024-2025 NCESD Board Meetings are scheduled as follows:
NCESD Policies and Procedures
Use the toggles below to access the different categories for the North Central ESD’s Policies and Procedures. By clicking on a specific policy or procedure, a new tab will open in your browser.
The NCESD Board is comprised of the following Directors:
Dr. Richard Johnson
Okanogan, WA
District 1 Representative
Dr. Johnson has over 40 years of experience in elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education in Idaho and Washington. In 2018, he retired from his role as Superintendent of Okanogan School District after serving for 30 years. He is also involved with Okanogan Chamber of Commerce and Okanogan Kiwanis.
Dr. Johnson represents Brewster, Grand Coulee Dam, Nespelem, Okanogan, Omak, Oroville, and Tonasket.
Dr. Michael Musick
Board Chair
Leavenworth, WA
District 2 Representative
Prior to moving to Leavenworth, Dr. Musick served as the Superintendent of the Lake Oswego School District where he successfully led programs and initiatives to boost student achievement. He began his career in education as a Business and Marketing Education teacher in 1982 before moving into various administrative roles.
Dr. Musick serves as Board Vice Chair. He represents Cascade, Cashmere, Entiat, Lake Chelan, Methow Valley, and Stehekin, and began his service in 2020.
Cathi Nelson
Board Vice Chair
Waterville, WA
District 3 Representative
Cathi Nelson has had a longtime career in education, including serving 26 years at the Waterville School District as an elementary teacher, principal, and then Superintendent until her retirement in 2018.
Cathi represents Bridgeport, Mansfield, Manson, Orondo, Palisades, Pateros, Quincy, Waterville, and a portion of the Eastmont School District, and began her service in January 2022.
Larry MacGuffie
Ephrata, WA
District 4 Representative
Larry MacGuffie served 31 years as a classroom teacher, school psychologist, director of special services, director of Columbia Basin Alternative High School and superintendent of Ephrata School District before his retirement in 1997. Most recently,
Larry represents Coulee-Hartline, Ephrata, Soap Lake, Warden, Wilson Creek, and a portion of Mose Lake School District, and began his service in 2007.
Mary Kunkle
Moses Lake, WA
District 5 Representative
Mary Kunkle is retired from Grant County PUD in Ephrata, where she served as Treasurer. Mary represents a portion of the Moses Lake School District, and began her service in 1997.
Marcia Henkle
AESD Executive Representative
East Wenatchee, WA
District 6 Representative
Marcia Henkle retired from her position as the regional director of the WA State Employment Security Department, which administers Employment Security Departments’ employment and training programs in WorkSource offices in NCW. She has taught high school and community college, including Wenatchee Valley College, and also operated Trend College in East Wenatchee.
She serves as Past Board Chair, as well as NCESD District 6 and AESD/Legislative Representative. Marcia represents a portion of the Eastmont School District and a portion of the Wenatchee School District, and began her service in 2015.
Susan Albert
Board Past Chair
Wenatchee, WA
District 7 Representative
Susan Albert retired from her 42-year educational career in 2015 where she served as teacher, administrator, professor and principal.
Susan serves as Board Chair. She represents a portion of the Wenatchee School District, and began her service in January 2018.
Dr. Michelle Price
NCESD Superintendent
Superintendent
Dr. Price began her service as NCESD Superintendent on July 1, 2017. Michelle’s background includes experience as a teacher, principal, assistant superintendent as well as Moses Lake School District Superintendent, where she served 27 years.
Michelle holds a Doctorate Degree from Washington State University and served as President for the Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) in 2014-15. She is currently a member of the National Executive Committee of the American Association of School Administrators.
Latest Agency News
NCESD Celebrated for Leadership in Pre-Employment Transition Services
NCESD was recently honored during a statewide Pre-ETS Lunch and Learn meeting hosted by DVR, for its exceptional work in delivering Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) in part of Region 1.
North Central ESD Seeking Applications to Fill Vacant Position on Board of Directors
The North Central Educational Service District (NCESD) has announced an opening for Board Position Number 1. This position represents the Brewster, Grand Coulee Dam, Nespelem, Okanogan, Omak, Oroville, and Tonasket School Districts.
Washington ESDs Collaborate to Create Centralized and Accessible Financial Data Tool for School Districts
Recognizing the need for a centralized and accessible data tool, the nine Washington State Educational Service Districts (ESD) collaborated to compile, analyze, and visualize key financial data across these three major funding areas impacting districts across the state.