Annual Report  

The annual report of services provided by Educational Service Unit 10 has been prepared for informational purposes as required by the Nebraska Department of Education. This annual report is a summary of the services provided by ESU 10 and is not intended to be all-inclusive. Additional information regarding each program can be obtained by contacting the ESU 10 administrative office at 76 Plaza Boulevard, P.O. Box 850, Kearney, NE 68848-0850; 308-237-5927.


Annual Report 2025-2026 PDF

ESU 10 Annual Report 2025-2026

Educational Service Unit 10 (ESU 10), established leaders in education, equips districts and empowers stakeholders to meet their diverse and ever-changing needs through collaborative partnerships and tailored solutions while serving as a catalyst for innovation.

In 1965, the Nebraska Legislature created the Educational Service Unit system to provide supplemental services to school districts. ESUs are service-oriented, non-regulatory agencies designed to achieve a better balance of educational opportunities for students regardless of the population, financial differences, or geographic limitations of school districts.

The governing unit consists of an elected board of nine members. Members are elected for four-year terms from nine distinct election districts.

Educational Service Unit 10 provided services to students in 44 districts in the counties of Blaine, Boone, Buffalo, Custer, Dawson, Garfield, Greeley, Hall, Howard, Loup, Sherman, and Valley and covers 9,515 square miles. The reach of ESU 10 extends to 30,745 students and 2,712 educators.

Departments

ESU 10 employs 123 people within four departments: Administration, Special Education, Technology Services, and Teaching and Learning.

Administration

The administration staff serve students and professionals in the areas of Superintendent Advisory Council, Human Resources, Grant Writing Services, Early Learning Connection, Early Childhood PD, Early Childhood Grant Coordination, and the ESU Coordinating Council.

Special Education

The Special Education professionals serve special education students and professionals in audiology, deaf education, Occupational and Physical Therapy, school Psychology, Speech Language Therapy, Vision Education, Vocational Transition, and Licensed Mental Health Supports. Districts accessed the following top services last year:

  • Direct services to infants, toddlers, and students with disabilities
  • School Psychology services to schools and students
  • Special Education Supervision Supports
  • Early Development Network Services Coordination
  • Mental Health Supports for students

Technology Services

Members of the Technology Services team deliver internet access and technology support including application and web development, repair services, ODIE Workshop and Human Resources tools, and PowerSchool. Districts accessed the following top services last year:

  • Technology Support
  • SIS
  • Hardware Repair
  • Networking Support
  • Systems Administration and Service Support

Teaching and Learning

The Teaching and Learning Department professionals are dedicated to improving educator and student learning in Assessment, Continuous Improvement, Leadership, Educational Technology, Grand Services, Student Activities, and Instruction. Districts accessed the following top services last year:

  • English Language Arts Content
  • Leadership
  • Regional Literacy Coach
  • Continuous Improvement Process/MTSS
  • New Teacher Academy

ESU 10 Services

Educational Service Unit 10 provided 26,636 hours of service to 14,155 recipients in the year 2025-2026. These services were ESU 10 hosted (64.2%), School hosted (12.7%), Video conferences (7.7%), or Hybrid (15.4%). Districts participating in the Coop Purchasing programs saved $821,633.

Continuous Improvement

As part of the Continuous Improvement process, ESU 10 has created Mission and Beliefs.

Mission

Educational Service Unit 10, established leaders in education, equips districts and empowers stakeholders to meet their diverse and ever-changing needs through collaborative partnerships and tailored solutions while serving as a catalyst for innovation.

Goals

  • ESU 10 member districts’ satisfaction with services and solutions will increase annually.
  • ESU 10 staff will provide leadership at the local, regional, state and national levels.

Beliefs

We Believe:

  • People are our greatest resource.
  • Our commitment to professional growth has a positive impact on all students.
  • Sharing our expertise broadens vision and develops capacity in others.
  • Providing equitable educational support services empowers every student, teacher, administrator, and community.
  • The best way to serve and lead is through positive relationships and collaboration.
  • We will foster an innovative and collaborative culture to optimize the effectiveness of ESU 10.
  • We will cultivate collaborative relationships to identify current needs and collective expertise to develop innovative solutions and services.
  • We will utilize a strategic communication plan to effectively showcase the impact of ESU 10.

Grants

Federal Grant Programs Districts Served
Carl Perkins Career and Technical Education Consortium 29
Every Student Succeeds Act: Title IIA Consortium 13
Title III English Learner (EL) Program 21
Every Student Succeeds Act: Title IV-A Consortium 13
NE Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) 11

Special Projects

Nebraska Department of Education Special Projects Districts Served Reach
Assistive Technology Partnership (ATP) 244 Statewide
Central Region Autism Spectrum Disorders (CRASD) 93 Nebraska Central Region
Early Learning Connection 59 Nebraska Central Region
Nebraska Multi-tiered System of Supports (NeMTSS) 79 Nebraska Central Region
Journey to Inclusion 29 ESU 10 Area
Planning Region Team (PRT 10) 32 ESU 10 Area
Transition System Support 243 Statewide
Rural Roots Six Pence Childhood Partnership 100 children ESU 10 Area
Rooted in Relationships 70 children ESU 10 Area

Student Activities

Student Activities: Students were provided with opportunities to engage in competitive academic events and activities and to develop leadership skills. ESU 10 staff planned a variety of activities which directly involved area students. In addition to the events, ESU 10 provided MNM STEM Trailers to 7 schools and shared the information at one state-wide conference.

Activity Students Participants Teacher/Coaches ESU 10 Districts
Stemfest 41 6 5
Stemfest Kickoff 58 10 6
Regional Science Olympiad 610 37 57
Elementary Science Olympiad 309 38 20
Academic Quiz Bowl 6th-8th Grade 276 33 33
Academic Quiz Bowl 9th-12th Grade 303 33 33
Totals 1,597 157 160

2025-26 Financial Summary

Receipts

Receipts Source Amount
Taxes Levied by ESU 3,503,303
Other Local Sources 7,948,218
Core Services State 1,211,457
All Other State 1,217,699
Federal 2,287,335
Non-Revenue 1,170
Total Receipts 16,169,182

Expenditures

Expenditure Amount
Regular Instruction 42,866
Special Education Programs 697,780
Support Services - Students 6,013,907
Support Services - Instruction 2,203,951
Support Services - General Administration 428,130
Central Services 2,993,264
Operation and Maintenance of Plant 385,894
Private and State Categorical Programs 968,130
Facilities Acquisitions and Construction 752,834
Federal Programs 1,808,360
Total Expenditures 16,317,116

ESU 10 Leadership

2025-26 Board of Directors

Dale Naprstek - District 1

Esther Rickert - District 2

Kay Grimminger - District 3

Mary Stoltenberg - District 4

Marilyn Bohn - District 5

Mark Reid - District 6

Ron Tuttle - District 7

Teresa Osborn - District 8

Karen Harmoney - District 9

Administrator

Dr. Melissa Wheelock

Department Directors

Dr. Jean Anderson, Special Education

Denise O’Brien, Teaching and Learning

Ron Cone, Network Information Services

Business Manager

Kayla Herrick

Additional information

Additional information regarding each program can be obtained by contacting ESU 10:

Address: 76 Plaza Boulevard, Kearney, NE 68845

Phone: 308-237-5927

Website: www.esu10.org

Administrator’s email: mwheelock@esu10.org