April Superintendent's Message

On April 24, 2024, the Department of Justice published a final rule updating Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This rule establishes specific accessibility requirements for web content and mobile applications. As a public education entity, our district must comply with these regulations by April 2026 or April 2027, depending on the size of our surrounding community.

As part of our ongoing commitment to equity and access, we shared in the MESD newsletter a new collection of accessibility resources to support you in creating digital content that is inclusive for everyone. These materials provide practical guidance on creating accessible documents, understanding legal requirements, and applying best practices to your daily communications. We encourage all staff to explore these tools and integrate them into your daily practice. This work is central to our equity commitments and to ensuring that every student, family, and staff member can fully participate in the systems that serve them. It is an integral part of our Blueprint ’28 equity goals.

This is the direction MESD is taking, and alignment is essential. I encourage each of you to lean in, to try, to experiment, and to take the next step. Progress happens when we move from intention to action. Accessibility is not a separate initiative. It is an integral part of our Blueprint ’28 equity goals. Together, we can build an environment where accessibility is not an add-on, but a shared value embedded in everything we do, strengthening equity, deepening inclusion, and fostering a true sense of belonging for ALL.

Last week, the MESD School Improvement Team partnered with Parkrose School District to deliver the second of two half-day professional learning sessions. These sessions were tailored to the district’s priorities for instructional practice, collaboration, and student-centered learning.

Reflecting MESD’s role as a regional leader, this service provided responsive, high-quality support aligned with local goals. Developed in partnership with district leaders and facilitated by MESD specialists, this coordinated, on-site support demonstrates how an ESD helps move improvement efforts from planning to practice.

Andre Goodlow, Director of Teaching and Learning at Parkrose, noted that this partnership has been instrumental in providing educators with strategies that promote equity and student-centered instruction. Furthermore, partners from the Oregon Department of Education observed the work and recognized it as a strong example of impactful regional support. Initial feedback from participants was also overwhelmingly positive, with staff describing the sessions as helpful and relevant.

Partnerships like this highlight MESD’s ability to respond to district-identified needs and deliver targeted support that builds capacity. As schools navigate complex demands, this responsive, embedded partnership model represents an important direction for the future of regional educational support.

As we continue strengthening the systems that support our schools and programs, I want to highlight an important milestone in our internal operations: the launch of our MESD intranet hub.

Last year, the Technology and Communications team created the overall intranet configuration that all teams can now use to build their pages. The Human Resources Hub is an excellent example of what this intranet makes possible. Their space brings together the full range of employee‑focused resources in a way that is intuitive, visually clear, and easy to navigate. Staff can quickly find information on benefits, payroll, retirement planning, leave and time off, professional development reimbursement, and employee evaluations, all organized through a clean, icon‑based layout that makes the experience straightforward and welcoming.

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Beyond day‑to‑day needs, the HR Hub also includes high‑value guidance such as the Onboarding Roadmap and Calendar and “What to Expect When Retiring,” helping employees plan for key transitions with confidence. This thoughtful structure reflects HR’s commitment to supporting staff at every stage of their MESD journey and demonstrates how a well‑designed intranet space can make essential information more accessible and user‑friendly.

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Building on that strong example, we are also launching a comprehensive Communications hub that serves as a central home for agency-wide resources. This includes branding guidance, MESD and program logos, templates, safety communication guidance, inclement weather information, and all public‑facing request processes. The page also houses our expanding digital accessibility toolkit — from ADA and WCAG guidance to Grackle training materials, the MESD Accessibility Toolkit, and new supports such as the Alt Text Gem and tutorials created by the AI Leadership Team.

I look forward to announcing additional hubs as teams continue launching their intranet sites. I envision the intranet becoming a one‑stop location for consistent, accessible information across MESD. This represents a meaningful step forward in how we share information, support staff, and ensure alignment across the agency. I encourage all teams to explore these resources as we continue building a more connected and responsive organization.

Even in turbulent skies, our course is steady. Our students deserve nothing less. With your continued partnership, I am confident that we will navigate the challenges ahead and we will rise above them!

Thank you for your leadership, your resilience, and your commitment to the communities we serve.

Dr. Paul E. Coakley

Superintendent

Multnomah Education Service District

Arab American Heritage Month Resources

1. Arab American National Museum – Resources for Educators including virtual galleries, lesson plans, and professional development.

2. PBS – Celebrate Arab American Heritage Month with articles, documentaries, and programming highlighting Arab American stories and contributions.

3. Smithsonian Institution – Arab American Heritage Month featuring oral histories, archival materials, and artifacts.

Autism Awareness Month Resources

1. Autistic Self Advocacy Network – Resources.

2. Learning A-Z – From Autism Awareness to Autism Acceptance.

3. OrPATS Virtual Resources includes webinars and multimedia for general educators serving students with high functioning autism.

This month on Leaders Build Leaders with Dr. Coakley, we welcome Natasha Jackson, Senior Climate & Culture Administrator at MESD. She shares how MESD’s Climate & Culture work supports Blueprint ’28 by helping schools create environments where every student feels safe, valued, and supported. Through leadership coaching, professional learning, and equity‑focused systems improvement, Natasha explains how districts can strengthen belonging, student well‑being, and culturally responsive practices. The episode highlights how strong school culture lays the foundation for learning, connection, and long‑term equity.

🎧 Listen this episode on your favorite podcast platform!

MESD invites all families, staff, partners, and community members to visit Connecting MESD Communities Through Art, a districtwide exhibition opening April 9, 2026. This display features 4x4 student‑created canvases from every MESD school and program, forming a vibrant collection that reflects the diverse identities and experiences of our students. All contributed pieces, representing a wide range of ages, abilities, and learning environments. By providing materials at no cost, MESD ensured every student could participate. This exhibition supports Blueprint ’28 by uplifting student voice, strengthening belonging, and creating inclusive, future‑ready learning experiences. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating student creativity and the power of art to bring our communities together.

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