The Umatilla-Morrow Education Service District (UMESD) is authorized by the state of Oregon to provide educational support services through legislative mandates and resolutions from local school districts. The UMESD serves students in 14 Oregon counties (Umatilla, Morrow, Grant, Union, Baker, Malheur, Wallowa, Wheeler, Sherman, Wasco, Gilliam, Harney, Hood River, and Crook). The UMESD’s two core areas are the 12 public school districts in Umatilla and Morrow counties – Pendleton, Hermiston, Milton-Freewater, Morrow County, Stanfield, Umatilla, Ione, Echo, Helix, Athena-Weston, Pilot Rock and Ukiah.

The UMESD has served students in Eastern Oregon since 1863, and maintains its headquarters in Pendleton. Satellite work stations also have been set up in Hermiston, Milton-Freewater, La Grande, Baker City, John Day and Vale. Though the UMESD is a state agency, less than 20 percent of the UMESD’s general fund comes from taxpayer dollars.

With nearly 300 employees, the UMESD is one of the top 15 employers in Pendleton.

The UMESD is committed to engaging local school districts, teachers, parents, students and community in significantly enhancing the educational experience for students and thus improving their potential for success. As a public agency charged with assisting local school districts, the UMESD serves as the leader in carrying out programs and services with the goal of making every student successful; providing the best possible teachers; helping to forge a new and long term economic vitality for the rural area and moving everyone to the use of the best possible practices all focused on students.

Throughout its long history, the UMESD has maintained a focus on meeting the needs of its constituent school districts and the children they serve. One of the mainstays of regional service has been special education. Most of the psychologists, physical and occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, assistive technology specialists, hearing specialists, autism specialists and vision specialists who work in the local school districts are provided by the UMESD.

Besides special education, the UMESD also provides services in professional development, technology, communication, nursing, English Language Learners, administrative services, assessment, home schooling, a purchasing co-op, printing, and more. Each year during the Pendleton Round-Up, the UMESD puts on the Children’s Rodeo, which allows special needs children from all over Eastern Oregon to participate in rodeo activities with local cowboys and cowgirls.

For more information about the UMESD, or to find links to all local school districts, log onto www.umesd.k12.or.us.