Greenbush - Southeast Kansas Education Service Center www.greenbush.org At the core of every Greenbush Program is the unyielding belief that every student, regardless of geographic location, deserves equal educational opportunities. The main Greenbush campus is the site for unique learning facilities such as the Wm. L. Abernathy Science Center and rain forest, Mission Space Station, PSU/Greenbush Astrophysical Observatory, and Greenbush Archeological Dig. Learning opportunities for students are by no means limited to the Greenbush Campus. The Greenbush Interactive Distance Learning Network, Virtual Prescriptive Learning, Migrant Education, and Virtual Greenbush provide students across the state with curriculum and learning experiences ranging from algebra and history to career/technical education and foreign language instruction. In collaboration with school districts and state agencies, Greenbush operates Community Learning Centers and alternative education programs giving students who have previously dropped out-of-school a second chance to receive a high school diploma. Other contracts with the Social Rehabilitation Services, Department of Corrections, Juvenile Justice Authority, and local school districts insure that all students receive an educational experience leading to a positive and productive lifestyle. Each child is unique. An individual, with individual needs. The same goes for each agency Greenbush serves, from the very small to the very large. That's why Greenbush offers agencies the chance to choose services and programs that best meet those individual needs. Its been that way since the Education Service Center (ESC) began in 1976, and was nicknamed Greenbush after the tiny, unincorporated town in which it is located. The main building, or Dave DeMoss Center for Learning, was originally known as Greenbush Elementary School, and was part of USD 248 Girard. When it closed in December 1975, the district offered the building to the ESC, which had been housed in a mobile home on the parking lot of Erie High School. At the time, there were three ESC employees: Dave DeMoss, Janet Perron, and Peggy Shepard. Now, with more than 600 employees, Greenbush offers programs that are otherwise unavailable, unaffordable, or just more effective and efficient through a cooperative effort. By forming consortiums, Greenbush allows districts to pool resources to stretch funding even further. Whether the need is for office supplies, professional training, technical support, a consortium means increased purchasing power and more bang for the buck. Greenbush forms partnerships with agencies, businesses, and universities to further resources and personnel. Greenbush is classified as Interlocal No. 609. It has all the rights and privileges of a school district, except the power to levy taxes. So earning competitive grants, private charitable donations, and providing services to member agencies is important to the mission. In other words, Greenbush is only as good as the last program delivered. The need for accountability means those served are assured of consistent quality, efficiency, and value. Greenbush is governed by a board consisting of one representative from each of the five original, or charter districts: Erie, Girard, Yates Center, Riverton, and Fort Scott Community College. The board serves as at-large representatives for those served. If two or more districts request a service, a Greenbush department will create a program and exceed expectations. Many programs have been the subject of broadcast news segments, specials such as McNeil-Leher News Hour, Sunflower Journeys, and hundreds of printed news pieces. The campus has expanded to include more than 500 acres of land, divided in use between campus and facilities, natural areas for study by students, teachers, and scientists, agricultural test plots, camping and recreation areas, and tenant-leased land. What remains unchanged is the quality of service, the attention to customer needs, and the attitude with which programs are delivered. Greenbush is well known for finding a way to say yes, and it shows!
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