Williams balances working communications for three school districts as MSESC grows

DUNBAR, W.Va. — Being the communications director for 3 faculty districts in southern West Virginia, Chris Williams finds himself on the street practically all day, on daily basis. Williams instructed MetroNews he’s at all times busy and that’s how he likes it.

In March, Williams started his place at Mountain State Academic Providers Cooperative (MSESC) the place he serves Wayne, Lincoln, and Logan County Colleges in that position. Williams pushes out content material for these counties’ social media pages and is the purpose of contact throughout information occasions throughout that valley.

Williams’ position is a part of the broader MSESC which was shaped in 2017 with the objective of offering academic providers to its members, non-member faculty programs and non-profits to leverage sources to fulfill the wants of faculty districts and communities within the Mountain State.

Williams instructed MetroNews a uncommon place resembling his, balancing three county faculty districts, got here on the choice of the counties in an effort to economize.

“One in every of our largest issues we attempt to do right here on the ESC is saving the taxpayers cash. By making use of and getting federal grants, state grants, different native grants, and share providers,” Williams mentioned.

The members of MSESC embrace Lincoln, Logan, Mason, Mingo, and Wayne County Colleges.

MSESC was shaped because of the passage of HB 2711 in 2017, Williams mentioned. Earlier than ESCs have been created, West Virginia labored with (Regional Academic Service Companies) to create totally different academic areas.

MSESC administers AEPA WV, an academic buying cooperative that helps all 55 WV faculty programs, municipalities, and different 501(c) non-profits in West Virginia.

Williams mentioned MSESC, considered one of three academic providers cooperatives within the state, funds positions in class districts. Job postings in April embrace elementary and center faculty interventionists, program managers, and grownup schooling coordinators.

“They work for the ESC however their place is likely to be within the faculty. There are positions we fund or might assist fund,” Williams mentioned.

Williams mentioned funding for positions is oftentimes given via grants. MSESC is ready to develop applications and providers to maximise native, state, and federal monies to fulfill the entity’s wants.

MSESC is presently engaged on a U.S. DOJ grant to work with faculties on the Cease It app, an app that promotes security in faculties. Williams mentioned MSESC can be engaged on a Studying.com grant to offer academics with instruments to organize college students for a digital world resembling coding, keyboarding and digital literacy.

MSESC states that it operates underneath the oversight of a local-elected Governing Council comprised of 5 county superintendents and 5 county board members.