News

North Central Educational Service District Welcomes Dr. Richard Johnson to Board of Direct as District #1 Representative

The North Central Educational Service District (NCESD) has announced the appointment of its newest board member, Dr. Richard Johnson. Johnson will represent District #1 which includes Okanogan, Omak, Oroville, and Tonasket school districts. This position was previously held by Harlan Warner who resigned after 29 years of service on the NCESD Board of Directors.

Johnson comes to the NCESD board of directors with 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.

Johnson said he is excited to be part of a team that is responsible for guiding the lives of over 40,000 students across the region.

“It is an exciting and demanding undertaking,” Johnson added. “I am ready to contribute to, and work with, the NCESD board members to help our region’s students become successful adults.”

Johnson received his Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Master of Arts in Educational Administration, and Doctorate of Education in School Administration with a minor in Instruction and Curriculum Development.

After marrying his wife in 1972 and moving to Okanogan county in 1988, Johnson has seen both of his sons graduate from Okanogan High School and now has the joy of watching two of his six grandchildren attend Okanogan Elementary school. Johnson is a 30-year member of Okanogan Kiwanis Club and is the current President; he also is the Past President of Okanogan Chamber of Commerce.

“Dr. Richard Johnson is a trusted colleague and a civic leader with a high level of enthusiasm,” said Dr. Michelle Price, Superintendent of NCESD. “He inspires and supports others in a manner that is aligned with the mission of North Central Educational Service District. He is highly respected in the Okanogan Valley and will ensure that the needs of the school districts are supported.”

North Central ESD covers just over 12,600 miles and provides services to schools in Chelan, Douglas, Okanogan and Grant Counties serving over 42,000 students. The Board is composed of seven regionally elected members including: Dr. Richard Johnson (District 1 Representative), Dr. Michael Musick (District 2 Representative), Ed Daling (District 3 Representative), Larry MacGuffie (District 4 Representative), Mary Kunkle (District 5 Representative), Marcia Henkle (District 6 Representative), Susan Albert (District 7 Representative).

About North Central Educational Service District

The North Central Educational Service District provides a wide array of programs, services and support to the 29 public school districts in the North Central Washington region of Chelan, Douglas, Grant and Okanogan county. The service district provides professional and timely tools to meet the needs of individual schools and districts, and a reliable point of education-related information for the communities served. The NCESD is one of nine respected educational service districts in Washington state.