Redmond, Ore. – June 7, 2011 – The appointment of a new regional director of special education services for three schools districts and the High Desert Education Service District is expected to save more than $200,000 per year in Redmond, Sisters and Crook County. Martha Hinman, formerly the director of student services for the Redmond School District, will now serve all three districts and the HDESD, resulting in the elimination of two administrative positions. This effort to regionalize administrative services among the districts is part of a larger shared services effort to improve efficiencies, provide cost savings, and protect classrooms during challenging economic times.
“Martha Hinman is highly respected for her expertise and we are fortunate to have her leading this effort to regionalize special education services for our areas,” said Dr. Dennis Dempsey, superintendent for the High Desert Education Service District.
In her new role, Hinman is responsible for the supervision and development of special education and English Language Learner programs across all districts and the HDESD as well as the supervision of the school nurses.
Hinman has extensive background in special education ranging from teaching to supervising and has served as an adjunct professor for George Fox University in Newburg, OR and Lewis and Clark College in Portland, OR. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Special Education from the University of Maine in Farmington, a Masters of Art in Teaching from Lewis and Clark College and an Initial Administrative License from the University of Oregon. She has worked for the Bend La Pine and Redmond School Districts in various capacities serving special education students and families.
“I believe the needs of the students and families will be better met by centralizing training, collaboration, and allocation of special education services across the school districts and the High Desert Education Service District,” said Martha Hinman, regional director of Special Education Services for the HDESD. “Central Oregon has such a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and talent in special education and it makes sense for us to share and build on what we have,” she added.
The shared services model is currently being implemented in the areas of Special Education, Business Services, Human Resources, Informational/Instructional Technology and Maintenance. Overall savings from the plan are expected to exceed $460,000 during the 2011-2012 school year the first year with additional savings in future years.
For more information, please contact Linda Quon at (541)610-4317, (541)617-1911 or lquon@quondc.com.
