ESU13 Unveils New Location

A little more than a year ago, we were introduced to the concern of the coronavirus. It was also a little more than a year ago that Western Nebraska Community College and ESU13 announced a collaborative effort, a goal toward building a new complex for ESU13.

WNCC’s role was to provide a location for the new complex. In exchange, both the college and educational service unit benefitted. The benefit to ESU13 and WNCC is complimentary services and staff. During the transitional period, ESU13 staff were offered space in the college facility.

Additionally, the design of the ESU13 unit compliments the college building with the exterior motif matching as class as possible. The college and ESU13 are connected by a hallway that is almost seamless in appearance.

On April 20, ESU13 staff and supporters formally introduced the new location with a ribbon cutting. Following the ribbon cutting, guests were invited to see the new offices and conference rooms, and hear from officials who helped see the project to completion.

“Thank you to all your work that got us to where we are today,” ESU13 Administrator Andrew Dick said to the Sidney staff.

He commended the staff for the sweat and dedication committed to seeing the new location become reality.

“I am so excited for the teachers in the southern tier,” Dick said.

Board President Mark Sinner commended the Educational Services Unit system of the Panhandle and the work completed in recent years.

“This was a long road,” Sinner said. “To get to this point, took a lot of work in the background.”

In addition to the planning the move from the downtown location, meeting with the Sidney City Council to ok the project and the details for contractors and related agreements, the ESU system combined three educational service units leading to the current ESU13.

WNCC President Carmen Simone also spoke at the ceremony.

“It is just such a joy and privilege to share this event,” she said.

One of ESU13’s goals is to continue expanding and enhancing mental health services. ESU13’s goals also includes providing an “effective multi-tiered system of support to local districts to move districts forward with a data-based, problem solving model to increase student achievement.