(1) The mission of education service districts is to assist school districts and the Department of Education in achieving Oregon’s educational goals by providing equitable, high quality, cost-effective and locally responsive educational services at a regional level.
(2) An education service district plays a key role in:
(a) Ensuring an equitable and excellent education for all children in the state;
(b) Implementing the Oregon Educational Act for the 21st Century;
(c) Fostering the attainment of high standards of performance by all students in Oregon’s public schools; and
(d) Facilitating interorganizational coordination and cooperation among educational, social service, health care and employment training agencies.
(3) An education service district’s role is one of leadership and service. Education service districts shall maintain the distinction between their role as service organizations and the regulatory role of the Department of Education and other state agencies.
(4) To ensure that an education service district is locally responsive, an education service district shall provide:
(a) Opportunities for component school districts to participate in decisions about the services that are offered by the education service district; and
(b) A variety of flexible service delivery models.
(5) An education service district shall remain accountable to:
(a) The public at large;
(b) The component school districts; and
(c) The State Board of Education.