About Us

The Educational Services and Staff Development Association of Central Kansas is celebrating 40+ years of serving local, state, and national educators.

ESSDACK began with a simple, powerful idea: collaboration creates opportunity. Founded in 1983 by a visionary group of educators from Buhler, McPherson, Sterling, Pretty Prairie, and Nickerson, we were built on the belief that school districts are stronger when they work together to provide high-quality educational services for students. 

We remain grateful for our founders’ dedication—it’s their legacy of cooperation and service that continues to drive everything we do.

Where We’ve Been

Over the past 40+ years, ESSDACK has served 100+ school districts and impacted the lives of 1+ million students. During that time, ESSDACK provided a wide range of direct teaching and learning services, including:

  • Professional learning for teachers and administrators

  • Guidance on curriculum and instructional resources

  • Assessment and evaluation services

  • Technology support

  • School improvement planning

  • Student support services

Beyond the classroom, ESSDACK also provides services that support a variety of school district needs, including:

  • Employee health insurance 

  • Employee retirement planning

  • Print and copy services

  • District payroll support

  • Federal funding coordination

Although ESSDACK was established in the fall of 1983, the organization wasn’t officially recognized as an Interlocal Agency until July 1, 1989.  As a fledgling start-up, ESSDACK shared office space with RCEC on Highway 50 and literally operated out of one notebook and one filing cabinet drawer before leasing space and moving to the Nickerson district office in the 1987-1988 school year. By 1990, the staff had grown from 1.5 to 8, and once again the organization was on the move and established a new home at the Trade Center located at Lorraine and 17th in Hutchinson, where they would remain until 2000.  Having grown to a staff of 24, ESSDACK moved to its current location at the Hutchinson Uptown Mall.

ESSDACK has been recognized by a variety of organizations, including the Kansas State Department of Education, the National Staff Development Council, the American Association of School Administrators, and the Association of Educational Service Agencies. This recognition is the result of the outstanding leadership of Dayna Richardson (1983-1994), Dr. John Heim (1994-1997), and Dr. Mike Cook (1997-2021), our amazing and dedicated employees, and the collective efforts of member school districts and their leadership. Having been a member superintendent and now having been a part of ESSDACK as an employee, I am proud to be a part of a truly student-centered group of educators.

Where We’re Going

ESSDACK is committed to continuing to provide high-quality educational services and support in the rapidly changing education environment. The ESSDACK vision is to become an integral part of the day-to-day operations and professional growth of member school districts and educators. We aim to lead educators towards a continual growth mindset. Areas of focus include:

  • Instructional leadership

  • Personalized learning for students and educators

  • Blended and virtual learning

  • Social-emotional needs awareness and development

  • Career and technical education expansion

  • District office support services growth

  • Diversity of educational partnerships

ESSDACK has plans to expand its partnerships with other public and private sector organizations to provide even more comprehensive services to its members. ESSDACK is confident it can continue to play a vital role in the education of students in central Kansas. Systemic and lasting change remains at the heart of ESSDACK’s passion.  Although committed to supporting the immediate needs of schools, ESSDACK recognizes that meaningful change results from deep, ongoing, embedded professional learning.  To this end, ESSDACK continues to lead the way by putting innovation into practice.