November 13, 2025 – For the tenth straight year, each of Ohio’s 51 Educational Service Centers (ESCs) applied for and received the High Performing ESC designation from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW).
To achieve the annual High Performing ESC designation, an ESC must generate total cost savings of at least 5% across five ESC-selected service areas for its client school districts as compared to the district providing the services themselves or from another third-party provider.
The percentage of savings for Ohio’s ESCs far exceeds this 5% benchmark, averaging 38.48% savings in Fiscal Year 2025, based on data provided by the DEW. This was an annual savings of over $108.903 million in just five service areas.
“Once again, Ohio’s educational service centers demonstrate how they provide their client schools and districts with exceptional services at reasonable costs,” says Craig Burford, Executive Director of the Ohio ESC Association (OESCA).
“Over the past decade, Ohio ESCs have averaged 36.54% cost savings to districts per year, for a total of over $796.538 million in savings statewide. Now more than ever, policy makers should take notice of the return on their investment and find additional ways to leverage the ESC network.”
Ohio’s 51 ESCs are local education agencies (LEAs) or school districts that provide other schools and client school districts with professional development, technology, coaching and support, planning, and administrative and operational support services that help improve student learning, enhance the quality of instruction, expand access to resources, and maximize operating/fiscal efficiencies. The Ohio ESC Association (OESCA) supports, educates and advocates for Ohio’s ESCs. www.oesca.org