ESD 112 taps agency veteran to be its new director

Merlino will take over for retiring superintendent July 1

By Susan Parrish, Columbian Education Reporter

Published: May 21, 2014, 5:00pm

o Educational Service District 112 serves 100,000 students attending 30 public school districts, 23 private schools and two state schools.

o It covers six counties: Clark, Cowlitz, Klickitat, Pacific, Skamania and Wahkiakum.

o Employees: 1,200 in the six-county region; about half work off-site.

o 2013-14 budget: Approximately $50 million.

Tim G. Merlino has been named the next superintendent/chief executive officer of Educational Service District 112, an educational organization with 600 employees serving six counties.

A 28-year veteran of ESD 112, Merlino is the agency’s chief financial officer. He is expected to begin his new duties July 1.

Merlino’s salary is still being negotiated. Twyla Barnes, the superintendent for the past 20 years, earns $209,913.

Barnes is retiring Sept. 30. She will work with Merlino over the next three months to ensure a smooth transition, said Lori Simpson, ESD spokeswoman.

Merlino frequently testifies before the state Legislature on issues and challenges that affect schools. He served on the statewide committee that developed the new Basic Education Funding formula, House Bill 2261, that defines the funding for the -McCleary decision. He served on a statewide committee to create laws surrounding school district dissolution, House Bill 1431.

Merlino developed the Construction Services Group that assists districts statewide with school facility needs. He oversees a team of fiscal experts who provide business management services to 13 districts.

In 2006-2007, he completed the Association of Educational Service Agency’s Executive in Residence Program, designed to prepare leaders for ESD superintendent roles.

o Educational Service District 112 serves 100,000 students attending 30 public school districts, 23 private schools and two state schools.

o It covers six counties: Clark, Cowlitz, Klickitat, Pacific, Skamania and Wahkiakum.

o Employees: 1,200 in the six-county region; about half work off-site.

o 2013-14 budget: Approximately $50 million.