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Introducing the 2026–27 Executives in Residence Cohort
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AESA is proud to announce the 24 participants selected for the 2026–27 Executives in Residence (EIR) Program, the largest cohort in recent memory and a strong signal of growing demand for executive‑level leadership development across the ESA network.
2026–27 Executives in Residence Cohort
- Chad Bartlett, Green Hills AEA
- Jay Borchers, Miami County ESE
- Gretchen Brunner, Willamette Education Service District
- Jorgannie‑Garza Carter, Region 4 Education Service Center
- Crista Carlile, Heartland Area Education Agency
- Jennifer Chidsey, ESC Region 13
- Eric Dahlstrom, San Bernardino County Office of Education
- Kaide Dodson, BOCES 5 – Roosevelt Learning Center
- Colleen Feller, BrightWorks
- Leslie Fuhr, West40 ISC
- George Gogonas, Education Service Center Region 13
- Jennifer Jones, Region 7 Education Service Center
- Wendy King, Kentucky Educational Development Corporation (KEDC)
- Steve Kong, San Bernardino County Office of Education
- Melanie Kray, SWWC Service Cooperative
- Gina Meissler, Bucks County Intermediate Unit
- Sarah Ness, Southeast Service Cooperative
- Patricia Quick, Bucks County Intermediate Unit #22
- Amy Rose, Douglas Education Service District
- Lindsey Schmiesing, Mercer County ESC
- Trisha Schock, North Central Educational Service District
- Scott Sadinsky, ACES
- Jayme Tighe, West40 ISC
- Cecelia Wilken, Educational Service Unit 3
AESA looks forward to working with this outstanding cohort throughout the coming year and supporting their continued growth.
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March 2026 State Examiner: Declining Enrollment Drives State Policy Shifts
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The most recent AESA State Examiner examines state activity related to declining enrollment and the resulting funding pressures and policy reforms shaping K–12 systems. As student counts shift and states revisit funding formulas and resource allocation strategies, ESAs are well positioned to help districts adapt through regional collaboration, shared services, and strategic planning.
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Plan Ahead with the 2026–27 AESA Programs Guide
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The 2026–27 AESA Programs Guide is now available, featuring learning and leadership opportunities for ESA professionals at every level. From returning favorites to new professional networks, this year’s offerings are designed to support your growth and strengthen connections across agencies.
With early registration now open, it’s the perfect time to plan ahead and align your professional learning with your goals. Explore the guide and start building your year with AESA.
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More Opportunities to Ask Jason
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Thank you to all who joined us at last week's Ask Jason session. We have scheduled addtitional sessions in the coming months:
May 29, 2026 at 2:00 pm ET
June 24, 2026 at 2:00 pm ET
These informal, interactive conversations give members additional opportunities to connect directly, ask questions, and explore topics related to AESA Global work and international engagement.
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Welcome New Member: Special Education Service Agency (AK)
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AESA is pleased to welcome the Special Education Service Agency (SESA) of Anchorage, Alaska, to our growing network. Under the leadership of Executive Director Olivia Yancey, SESA plays a vital role in supporting students with special needs and the educators who serve them across the state.
SESA’s commitment to collaboration, innovation, and high-quality services aligns strongly with AESA’s mission to strengthen educational service agencies nationwide. We look forward to the perspectives and expertise they will bring to our community.
Please join us in welcoming SESA to AESA!
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Administration Releases FY27 President’s Budget Request
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The Administration’s FY2027 budget request for the Department of Education closely mirrors last year’s proposal, again calling for funding cuts, program eliminations, and consolidation into block grants—approaches Congress rejected in the final FY2026 bill. While positioned as increasing flexibility, the proposal raises concerns about reduced support for key education programs and services.
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Education Technology Round Up
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Read a summary of the National Coalition for Technology in Education & Training's latest wrap up of all things education technology here.
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See Which Ed. Dept. Programs Are Moving to New Agencies: A Tracker
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The Trump administration is shifting large swaths of the U.S. Department of Education’s congressionally mandated portfolio to other agencies, as part of its ongoing campaign to shutter the Education Department altogether. EducationWeek has been tracking those programs.
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Special Education Substantially Improves Learning: Evidence from Three States
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A new Boston University study, in the wake of IDEA’s 50-year anniversary, finds that students in Connecticut, Indiana, and Massachusetts showed declining academic performance relative to peers prior to being identified for special education, but made substantial gains in state math and reading tests after beginning to receive services.
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The Average Length of Current Superintendents’ Tenure? 5.4 Years
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Our advocacy partner, AASA, released their latest Superintendent Salary and Benefits study which finds that average superintendent tenure has risen to 5.4 years, which is roughly double the figure cited in recent years. The share of superintendents reporting declining economic conditions in their districts grew from 30% to 38% year over year, with the sharpest declines reported by leaders of districts enrolling fewer than 1,000 students.
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A State Gets Closer to Challenging Undocumented Students’ Free Access to School
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Tennessee lawmakers are debating legislation that would require schools to collect students’ immigration information as soon as the 2026-27 school year, directly challenging the precedent set in Plyler v. Doe and potentially setting the stage for a Supreme Court battle.
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Declining Birth Rate and Migration Trends Driving Public School Enrollment Woes
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The74 examines Nevada as an example of a state grappling with declining enrollment due to population shifts and reports on how it is responding to an impending “enrollment cliff.”
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Rediscovering Knowledge as the Key to Reading
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E.D. Hirsch, Jr. and Daniel Willingham collaborated on this piece reviewing the state of reading instruction and re-elevating the case for an emphasis on knowledge-rich curricula.
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Flexibility Unlocked: Demystifying Schoolwide Fund Consolidation
Recent federal guidance has reignited interest in schoolwide consolidation of funds—but if the approach is so flexible, why are only about 6% of districts using it? The reality is that consolidation can feel complex, with initial administrative and compliance hurdles. Yet districts that implement consolidation often find it simplifies programming and expands allowable uses of federal funds. This one-hour session will break down the statutory and regulatory framework for schoolwide fund consolidation, clarify what flexibility districts actually gain, and outline practical steps to determine whether consolidation is right for your district. Join us Tuesday, April 7 from 12:00-1:00 pm (ET) and register here!
Building and Strengthening 501(c)(3)s to Leverage Federal Tax Credit Scholarship Opportunities
As districts explore ways to expand student support and access new funding streams, many are considering the creation of a new 501(c)(3) nonprofit—or the revitalization of an existing or dormant one. This Joint Webinar Series by AASA and the National Association of Education Foundations will provide practical, step-by-step guidance on how to do so effectively, responsibly, and in alignment with district and community priorities. Join us Thursday, April 23 at 3:30 pm ET and register here!
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New Report from P2C: Raising the Bar for Classroom Technology
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Families and policymakers are questioning edtech, and this new report from Pathway2Careers explores why those concerns matter, especially around privacy, transparency, and real impact.
The takeaway is clear. Raise the bar.
Too often, edtech has focused on access instead of outcomes. The report introduces Digital Teaching, a teacher-led, student-centered approach where technology actually improves learning.
Backed by OECD and UNESCO research, the message is simple. Edtech must prove it works.
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Correspondence Address:
PO Box 404, Cheshire, CT 06410
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Remittance Address:
Department 3990, PO Box 986500
Boston, MA 02298-6500
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