News & Events

MOESC and The Shore Center proudly celebrate Omar Soriano-Ayala, our beloved Head Custodian, on becoming an official United States citizen. Known affectionately by students and staff as Mr. Omar, he recently completed the rigorous, multi-step naturalization process–a milestone that reflects hard work, perseverance, and deep personal commitment.

On December 8, 2025, Mr. Omar attended his formal naturalization ceremony, took the Oath of Allegiance, and was welcomed as a new U.S. citizen. It was a moment of tremendous pride, both for him and for the colleagues who have supported him throughout this journey.

The following day, our school community honored his accomplishment with a festive, American-themed luncheon filled with celebration and congratulations. Mr. Omar is an essential member of our team–reliable, dedicated, and widely appreciated–and we are thrilled to share in this meaningful achievement.

Congratulations, Mr. Omar!
 

The Regional Achievement Academy (RAA) is excited to share several updates that highlight our students’ creativity, collaboration, and growing sense of community. This month, students are preparing for a schoolwide Holiday Plant Sale, a student-run initiative that combines hands-on learning with the spirit of the season. As they organize the sale, students practice communication skills, greet customers from MOESC, RAA, and The Shore Center, and work together to manage inventory and presentation. The event offers authentic opportunities to build confidence, strengthen social skills, and experience the joy of giving.

In addition to their regular academic and therapeutic programming, students now have the opportunity to select from a new rotation of choice classes designed to spark interest and encourage exploration. The first five-week cycle includes Art, Music, Cooking, and Nutrition, each offering engaging, hands-on experiences that support personal growth and individual strengths. These elective-style classes allow students to discover new interests, develop practical skills, and take ownership of their learning.

Together, the Holiday Plant Sale and the launch of choice classes reflect RAA’s commitment to creating a supportive environment where students can learn, connect, and thrive.

Members of the MOESC Special Services Department recently presented at the Ocean County Women in Leadership Conference, joining a room full of accomplished professionals committed to leading with purpose. The session focused on the dual experience of motherhood and leadership, exploring how these roles deepen empathy, sharpen decision-making, and strengthen one’s approach to service. Drawing inspiration from Brené Brown, presenters Dr. Wendy Morales, Dr. Gabriella Hall, Annemarie Hanley, Karina McIntyre, and Brigid Mullins emphasized that empathy and boundaries can–and must–coexist in healthy leadership.

Participants also reflected on the concept of the “Woman in the Arena,” a leader who shows up fully, embraces vulnerability, and approaches difficult work with conviction and heart. The discussion resonated with educators, administrators, and community leaders who navigate demanding responsibilities while modeling courage for others.

A highlight of the event was the keynote delivered by Dr. Tracey Severns, whose message centered on clarity, authenticity, and purpose-driven leadership. MOESC’s team left the conference energized by the stories shared and proud to contribute to a space that empowers women to lead boldly and without apology.
 

MOESC is proud to recognize the outstanding staff selected for the 2025–2026 Governor’s Educator of the Year Program. These individuals represent excellence in their work each day and embody MOESC’s mission to support students across New Jersey. Congratulations to Mr. Chris Sullivan, Teacher of the Year (Social Studies, Regional Achievement Academy), and Mr. Andrew Sweeney, Service Professional of the Year (Paraprofessional, Regional Achievement Academy).

 

We also celebrate our support staff honorees serving in partner districts: Ms. Karen Blaser (Marlboro High School), Ms. Dawn Fox (Colts Neck High School), Ms. Jennifer LaSalle (Howell High School), and Ms. Anne-Marie Lloyd (Freehold Township High School).

These educators and professionals exemplify compassion, patience, and commitment. Their influence is seen not only in academic progress, but in the confidence, stability, and support they bring to students each day. As Dr. Seuss famously wrote, “To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.” Each of our honorees reflects this truth in the impact they make.

MOESC is deeply grateful to these team members for the positive difference they bring to their classrooms and school communities. Their contributions strengthen the work we do and help ensure students receive the support they need to thrive.
 

New Jersey Virtual School (NJVS) has expanded its course offerings to include five Advanced Placement (AP) courses: AP Biology, AP Calculus, AP Chemistry, AP English Literature & Composition, and AP U.S. History. This expansion increases opportunities for students looking to challenge themselves academically within a flexible, online learning environment.

The addition of these AP courses reflects NJVS’s continued commitment to supporting student choice and access. By offering rigorous, college-level coursework online, students can explore advanced subjects while managing athletic schedules, health needs, personal commitments, or unique academic timelines.

The addition of Advanced Placement Courses brings the NJVS Course Catalog of offerings to a total of 170 courses. All AP courses are completely asynchronous and self-paced, and do not include the AP Exam. Students should consult with their home school district to schedule AP exams, as needed. 

NJVS remains focused on ensuring high-quality instruction, strong teacher support, and a user-friendly platform for all learners. These new AP options provide additional pathways for students across New Jersey to pursue their academic goals. Visit NJVS.org for more information.
 

MOESC proudly celebrates the retirement of Christine MacDonald, Human Resources Manager, whose career in public education spans more than two decades. Ms. MacDonald joined MOESC in 2018 after serving nine years as HR Manager for the Mercer County Special Services School District. Prior to her HR leadership roles, she gained experience as an Application Specialist and Payroll Coordinator, developing expertise in communication, organization, and systems implementation.

 

Throughout her career, Ms. MacDonald was known for her calm presence, collaborative spirit, and unwavering commitment to supporting staff. She was an active member of organizations such as the Central Jersey Program for the Recruitment of Diverse Educators (CJ PRIDE) and the New Jersey Personnel Administrators Association (PAA). Colleagues often describe her as a team player, a trusted resource, and a thoughtful, caring coworker.

 

Outside of work, Ms. MacDonald enjoys spending time with her family, exercising, reading, and mentoring youth as a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. As she steps into retirement, she looks forward to spending more time with her three children and four grandchildren. MOESC extends heartfelt gratitude for her contributions and wishes her the very best in this next chapter.

Trenton Public Schools, in collaboration with MOESC’s Special Services team, has launched a new initiative aimed at expanding communication access for students with autism. Through a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework, MOESC speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, and behavior analysts are supporting the district in implementing TouchChat, an assistive communication tool that helps students express themselves more fully.

This work emphasizes modeling, exposure, and meaningful opportunities for communication across all classroom activities. By centering student voice and creating consistent avenues for expression, the initiative is building more inclusive learning environments and deepening connections between students, teachers, and peers.

As an Apple District, Trenton Public Schools provides each student with a 1:1 iPad, making this technology-enhanced communication support both accessible and sustainable. MOESC is proud to contribute to this collaborative effort, which advances equity, innovation, and individualized learning for students.
 

As school districts across New Jersey continue to navigate significant financial challenges–from rising health insurance costs to inflation in salaries, utilities, and the cost of goods–the Monmouth-Ocean Educational Services Commission remains firmly committed to supporting our member districts through cost-effective, high-quality shared services. Our preliminary 2026-27 budget reflects this mission by minimizing fee increases wherever possible while expanding programs that reduce district expenses and administrative burdens.

 

A major focus for 2026-27 is keeping increases to a minimum in the areas where districts rely on MOESC the most. This includes our Aides Placed in Public Schools (APPS) program, which continues to help districts manage staffing needs. By limiting rate adjustments well below actual cost growth, APPS remains an affordable alternative to hiring full-time district employees and continues to contribute meaningful savings in an era of rapidly rising healthcare premiums.

 

Districts also benefit from MOESC’s flexible Child Study Team services, which allow schools to access part-time or per-diem CST professionals instead of adding permanent staff to their budgets. This model helps districts manage fluctuating caseloads, maintain compliance, and control personnel expenses during a time when specialized staffing shortages and salary pressures are felt statewide.

 

Transportation remains one of the Commission’s most impactful shared-service programs. Our coordinated approach–serving public, nonpublic, special education, and vocational-technical students–leverages shared routes and purchasing power to drive down costs for all participating districts. Through careful consolidation and optimization, MOESC has been able to transport more students at a lower overall cost, providing significant savings at a time when transportation expenses continue to rise across New Jersey.

 

The Cooperative Purchasing Program continues to be another major source of savings for districts, providing millions of dollars in purchasing power across a wide range of essential goods and services. With close to 200 members and growing, the co-op reduces both the cost of goods and the administrative workload for districts by streamlining procurement and offering competitively bid contracts. Additional statewide and national bid opportunities planned for 2026-27 will further expand the program’s value to members.

 

MOESC also continues to strengthen its tuition-based instructional programs. The Regional Achievement Academy provides an innovative, research-based learning environment for students in grades 4–12 who require alternative or therapeutic supports. Likewise, the Shore Center–operated in partnership with the Bayshore Jointure Commission–offers a comprehensive, research-driven program for students with autism in a structured out-of-district placement. Both programs provide high-quality, individualized supports at a cost far below that of private schools for students with disabilities, offering districts substantial annual savings while ensuring superior educational, behavioral, and therapeutic outcomes. These programs represent MOESC’s commitment to offering excellent educational options without the premium price of private placements.

 

Like our districts, MOESC faces increasing expenses driven by salaries, health insurance, utilities, and inflation. Nevertheless, our priority remains clear: to keep fee increases as low as possible while continuing to provide reliable, cost-saving services. We will continue to expand our shared-service offerings, explore new cooperative opportunities, and refine operational efficiencies to support districts during another challenging budget year.

 

MOESC remains committed to being a strong partner to every district we serve. As we finalize the 2026-27 budget, we will continue to seek innovative ways to reduce costs, ease administrative burdens, and help our member districts meet their financial and operational goals. We encourage districts to reach out to explore how our programs can further support your needs in the coming year.

by Christopher Mullins, MOESC Business Administrator
 

Educational Services Commissions (ESCs) are public educational agencies created under New Jersey law to deliver programs and shared services to school districts, approved private schools, and other public entities. Since their authorization in the 1960s and 1970s, ESCs have become essential partners for many districts, offering specialized instruction, cooperative purchasing, transportation, administrative services, and programs for students with disabilities. ESCs enable districts to meet statutory obligations in a cost-efficient, centrally managed way while expanding access to specialized staff and programs that many individual districts could not sustain on their own.

 

 

 

Why Districts Use ESCs – Benefits at a Glance
Educational Services Commissions provide value far beyond their statutory purpose. For New Jersey’s school districts–both large and small–ESCs have become indispensable partners, enabling financial efficiency, operational flexibility, and programmatic innovation.

Economies of Scale Through Shared Purchasing and Joint Contracts

One of the most powerful advantages of working with an ESC is the ability to pool purchasing power. By aggregating the needs of dozens–or even hundreds–of participating districts, ESCs can achieve pricing and contract terms that would otherwise be unattainable for a single district.

Cooperative Purchasing: Cooperative purchasing systems, offering contracts for technology, custodial equipment, facilities, and construction services. Participating districts benefit from pre-bid contracts that are compliant with Public School Contracts Law,  N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-1 et seq., eliminating the need for individual bidding and saving both time and administrative costs.

 

Transportation Cooperatives: ESCs, such as the Northern Region ESC and Monmouth-Ocean ESC, provide coordinated transportation services by combining routes across multiple districts and optimizing contractor usage.

Shared Services Agreements: ESCs offer shared service contracts for energy procurement, technology systems, and administrative support. Smaller districts gain access to services typically available only to larger entities. For instance, Hunterdon County ESC manages a shared substitute teacher program for multiple K–8 districts, streamlining recruitment and ensuring consistent coverage across these districts.

 

Access to Specialized Staff and Programs Without Full-Time District Hiring
Many districts, especially those with small enrollments or fluctuating student populations, cannot afford to hire full-time specialists. ESCs provide access to highly qualified professionals and specialized programs as needed.

Special Education and Related Services: ESCs operate schools and classrooms for students with autism, multiple disabilities, and behavioral challenges. Union County ESC, for instance, serves hundreds of students through specialized settings staffed with certified teachers, therapists, and behavior analysts. Similarly, Camden County ESC runs the YaYa Learning Center, a structured learning environment for students with autism.

 

Itinerant and Clinical Staff: Many ESCs maintain pools of occupational, physical, and speech therapists, nurses, and behavior specialists available to districts on a flexible basis, helping to meet IEP requirements without expanding permanent staff. The Essex Regional ESC offers on-demand related services to both public and non-public schools throughout the county.

 

Professional Development: ESCs such as Somerset and Camden County ESCs offer training and certification workshops aligned with DOE standards. Somerset ESC’s Professional Learning Academy offers training on SEL, inclusive practices, and curriculum alignment.

Regulatory and Audit Compliance Support
Compliance with federal and state mandates–IDEA, Title I, Chapter 192/193, and New Jersey’s procurement laws–can be challenging. ESCs assist districts in maintaining compliance through administrative support, audit preparation, and fiscal oversight.

 

Grant and Program Management: ESCs assist with the administration of IDEA, ESSA, and ESSER grants, ensuring expenditures are tracked and documented in line with grant mandates and the Accountability Regulations, N.J.A.C. 6A:23A-16.2. For example, Monmouth-Ocean ESC provides fiscal management for numerous districts’ Chapter 192/193 nonpublic service programs.

 

Transportation and Procurement Oversight: ESCs provide oversight to ensure contractor compliance with safety, bid, and reporting standards. The Sussex County ESC’s transportation division audits routes and contractor performance every month, resulting in a 12% reduction in late arrivals last year.

 

Audit Readiness: ESCs are subject to annual audits and produce ACFRs, giving districts confidence that expenditures meet all public accountability standards.
Flexibility for Student Placement and Programming Needs
ESCs provide immediate, adaptable program options that enable districts to meet students’ needs promptly.

 

Special Education and Alternative Programs: Programs such as The Center for Lifelong Learning (ESCNJ) and the Regional Achievement Academy (MOESC) provide specialized environments for students who require intensive support.

 

Transition and Vocational Services: Many ESCs offer transition-to-work and life skills programs, helping older students prepare for employment and independent living–Union County ESC’s Work Readiness Academy partners with local employers to provide students with community-based job experiences.

 

Temporary and Emergency Placements: ESCs can provide short-term placements for students in crisis or during district staffing shortages or construction, ensuring uninterrupted education in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:14-4.3. When a small coastal district lost classroom space to storm damage, its local ESC temporarily housed displaced students in existing programs until repairs were completed.

 

Conclusion
Educational Services Commissions deliver measurable value to New Jersey’s public and nonpublic schools through cost efficiency, compliance assurance, and flexibility. For Business Administrators, the partnership with an ESC is not just a shared service–it is a strategic investment in sustainability, equity, and educational excellence.