For Immediate Release: June 13, 2013

    Michael Lasher, deputy superintendent of the Intermountain Education Service District, has been named interim superintendent of the Douglas ESD, replacing George Murdock who has served as superintendent for the past four years.  Murdock was recently elected a Umatilla County Commissioner and will be sworn in on June 17.

   Lasher has been at the Intermountain ESD for seventeen years.  In addition to his role as deputy superintendent, he has worked in human resources, information technology, early childhood/early intervention, and entrepreneurial  initiatives.  He was also involved with the consolidation of the Umatilla-Morrow and Union-Baker ESDs and has worked with the field offices of the IMESD throughout Eastern Oregon.

   In making the announcement of the appointment, DESD Board President Bernis Wagner noted “Education Service Districts are going through a major transition.  As part of the Governor’s education initiatives, the state is looking at re-shaping regional services.  It is critically important the Douglas ESD be positioned to play a role in this new scenario so we were anxious to find someone who already had significant experience with ESDs and working at the state level.”

   In addition to his role at the Intermountain ESD, Lasher has also served as executive director of the Oregon Small Schools Association which contracts with the IMESD to provide management services.  In that role, Lasher has worked closely with the leaders of Oregon’s major education organizations.  Wagner noted, “much of our future depends upon what happens in Salem.  It is important for us to have someone in place who already has the critical contacts we need.”

   “In addition,” said Wagner, “we visited with local district superintendents served by his ESD and they provided us with glowing references about his work in their behalf.”

   Wagner said the board is familiar with Lasher from participation in statewide ESD events and because he has been interested in the Douglas ESD for several years.  

   Unlike local school districts who depend primarily on the state school fund for their revenues, over eighty percent of the annual budget of the Douglas ESD comes from special grants and contracts as well as entrepreneurial activities.

   The Douglas ESD has about 200 regular employees in Douglas and Jackson Counties and also employs about 500 substitute teachers.  Because of the fact Murdock did not know the outcome of the Umatilla County election until May 21, the Board decided to go with an interim superintendent.  They will revisit that decision at mid-year and determine where they want to go next.  One option would be to offer a continuing contract. 

   Lasher and his wife Cheryl have two children – Alex, a graduate of Evergreen State College and Erin, a student at Linfield College.