About Us

Since 1910, the East Central Ohio Educational Service Center has been a cornerstone of educational excellence across East Central Ohio — supporting teachers, strengthening districts, and enriching the lives of students for over a century.

The East Central Ohio Educational Service Center (ECOESC) provides shared educational services to strengthen and assist school districts and agencies across Tuscarawas, Carroll, Harrison, Belmont, Guernsey, Noble, and Holmes Counties. ECOESC is one of the largest service regions in the state of Ohio. With offices in New Philadelphia, St. Clairsville, and Cambridge, our mission is simple: helping schools help students. 

Our Vision

To be the premier provider of shared educational services that strengthen and inspire school districts and agencies across East Central Ohio.

Our Mission

The East Central Ohio Educational Service Center is committed to helping schools help students — delivering the programs, expertise, and support that districts need to thrive.

About Us

ECOESC is one of Ohio’s most geographically expansive Educational Service Centers. Our service region spans seven counties across East Central Ohio, covering more than 3,252 square miles — making us one of the largest ESC service regions in the state. We serve 20 member districts supporting thousands of students and educators.

Tuscarawas
567.58 sq mi
Belmont
537.35 sq mi
Guernsey
528.00 sq mi
Holmes
423.00 sq mi
Harrison
403.53 sq mi
Noble
398.00 sq mi
Carroll
394.67 sq mi
Total Service Area
3,252.13 sq mi

Recent Accomplishments 

We’re proud of several recent accomplishments that reflect our commitment to this region. The ECOESC acquired the ECO Center, and through the Ohio Appalachian Grant funding, has added a dental clinic and primary care clinic inside the facility to provide students and families with access to essential health services. 

We also recently received the Drive to Succeed Round 3 grant, which provides scholarships for SNAP-eligible students to complete drivers education, which helps to remove a critical barrier to independence and opportunity for young people in our region. 

The ECOESC coordinates the ReadOhio Regional Literacy Coaching initiative for Ohio’s East Region, providing support to schools across 16 counties. By expanding regional capacity and providing job-embedded coaching and professional learning, the initiative helps schools build sustainable systems that improve reading outcomes for all students.

Our Commitment to the Community 

At ECOESC, we believe that when schools are supported, students thrive. From the classroom to the community, we’re proud to serve east central Ohio and remain committed to connecting our region’s students and families with the resources they need to succeed. We’re grateful for the partners who make this work possible every day. 

From the Superintendent

Randy Lucas, Superintendent

Welcome to the East Central Ohio Educational Service Center. Our mission is simple: helping schools help students. Whether you’re an educator, administrator, or community member, ECOESC is here to provide the services, expertise, and collaborative spirit that make a difference in classrooms every day.

We are proud to serve 20 member districts across seven counties, and we take that responsibility seriously. I invite you to explore our programs, attend our professional development events, and connect with our staff — we are your partners in education.

Randy Lucas
Superintendent, East Central Ohio ESC

Our Departments 

The ECOESC delivers support through seven key departments:

  • Human Resources: Assists districts with recruitment, hiring, and employment services.
  • Technology Services: Provides IT, network, and hardware support to schools and government agencies.
  • Student Services: Connects students with special education, preschool, occupational therapy, psychology, and other direct support programs.
  • Educational Services: Focuses on curriculum development, professional development, gifted education, and world languages.
  • Workforce Development and Student Wellness: Provides career pathway development, workforce readiness initiatives, and comprehensive student wellness services including prevention and school-based mental health supports.
  • Alternative Education: Provides programming for students who need non-traditional pathways to success.
  • Business Services: Supports fiscal management, cooperative purchasing, and operational needs for partner districts.

What is an Educational Service Center?

Ohio’s Educational Service Centers (ESCs) are dedicated to providing school districts with professional development, technology, support, planning, and administrative services that help improve student learning, enhance instructional quality, expand equitable access to resources, and maximize fiscal efficiency.

  • ESCs are local political subdivisions and school districts under state law (ORC §3311.055).
  • ESCs are local education agencies (LEAs) under federal law.
  • ESCs are governed by publicly-elected boards of education.
  • Every district with an ADM enrollment of 16,000 or fewer students is required to be aligned to an ESC.
  • Districts may purchase services from any ESC at any time — even ESCs to which they are not aligned.

Helpful Links

 

Connect with Us: 

Website: ecoesc.org 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ecoesc 

Twitter: https://x.com/ecoesc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ecoesc