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In honor of School Board Appreciation Month, we want to thank the North Central ESD Board of Directors for their service to our agency, school districts, educators, and students. Many of our board members have served for many years (some even decades) and provide the organization with a deep history of education in North Central Washington.

“I want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for our NCESD’s Board of Directors unwavering commitment to education and the incredible contributions they make to our organization and region,” said Superintendent Dr. Michelle Price. “Their dedication, time, and talent have been invaluable, and we are forever grateful for the impact you have had on our education community.”

The NCESD Board of Directors is comprised of seven individuals who are elected by local school board members in each of our 29 client school districts. Each brings a wealth of background and experience in both the private and public sector to their work on the NCESD Board.

Okanogan, WA

Dr. Johnson has over 40 years of experience in elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education in Idaho and Washington. In 2018, he retired from his role as Superintendent of Okanogan School District after serving for 30 years. He is also involved with Okanogan Chamber of Commerce and Okanogan Kiwanis.

Dr. Johnson represents Okanogan, Omak, Oroville, and Tonasket School Districts, and began his service in June 2021.

Board Vice Chair
Leavenworth, WA

Prior to moving to Leavenworth, Dr. Musick served as the Superintendent of the Lake Oswego School District where he successfully led programs and initiatives to boost student achievement. He began his career in education as a Business and Marketing Education teacher in 1982 before moving into various administrative roles.

Dr. Musick serves as Board Vice Chair. He represents the Cascade, Cashmere, Entiat, Lake Chelan, Manson and Stehekin School Districts, and began his service in 202.

Waterville, WA

Cathi Nelson has had a longtime career in education, including serving 26 years at the Waterville School District as an elementary teacher, principal, and then Superintendent until her retirement in 2018.

Cathi represents Brewster, Bridgeport, Coulee-Hartline, Grand Coulee Dam, Mansfield, Nespelem, Orondo, Palisades, Pateros, Methow Valley, and Waterville School Districts, and began her service in January 2022.

Ephrata, WA

Larry MacGuffie served 31 years as a classroom teacher, school psychologist, director of special services, director of Columbia Basin Alternative High School and superintendent of Ephrata School District before his retirement in 1997. Most recently, Larry retired from Canfield and Associates in Ephrata.

Larry represents Ephrata, Quincy, Soap Lake, Warden, and Wilson Creek School Districts, and began his service in 2007.

Moses Lake, WA

Mary Kunkle is retired from Grant County PUD in Ephrata, where she served as Treasurer. Mary represents Moses Lake School District, and began her service in 1997.

Board Past Chair
East Wenatchee, WA

Marcia Henkle retired from her position as the regional director of the WA State Employment Security Department, which administers Employment Security Departments’ employment and training programs in WorkSource offices in NCW. She has taught high school and community college, including Wenatchee Valley College, and also operated Trend College in East Wenatchee.

She serves as Past Board Chair, as well as NCESD District 6 and AESD/Legislative Representative. Marcia represents Eastmont School District and the southern portion of the Wenatchee School District, and began her service in 2015.

Board Chair
Wenatchee, WA

Susan Albert retired from her 42-year educational career in 2015 where she served as teacher, administrator, professor and principal.

Susan serves as Board Chair. She represents the northern portion of the Wenatchee School District, and began her service in January 2018.

Several school districts are also celebrating their board members this month! Be sure to check district website and social media channels for more information. If you want to learn more about the responsibilities of a school board, please read one of our previous posts: What is a school board?