Stark County Educational Service Center

What Stark County Educational Service Center does

Stark County Educational Service Center is a public, government-state entity organized under Ohio Revised Code and headquartered in North Canton, Ohio. Established in 1914 by the Ohio Legislature as a county board of education, it operates as a shared-services organization providing instructional, therapeutic, fiscal, and administrative support to 22 member school districts (16 local, 5 city, 1 exempted village, and 1 career center) across Stark, Carroll, Summit, and Tuscarawas counties, collectively serving over 60,000 students. The organization is governed by a five-member board and led by Superintendent Joe Chaddock (since August 2015).

The ESC's product portfolio is delivered through physical classrooms, itinerant specialists, and contracted services rather than a software platform. Core offerings are organized into three groups: (1) early childhood and integrated preschool programs (SCIP, ECE Classroom, Artful Living and Learning), (2) special education services for students with multiple disabilities, emotional/behavioral disorders, hearing loss (SPEAK), and vision impairment (Educational Audiology Center, Braille Production Center, OT, PT, Speech/Language, Adapted PE, Vision Services, Behavior Support Specialist, Feeding/Swallowing Consultation), and (3) operational support services (Substitute Teacher/Aide placement, Print Shop with free member-district delivery, BCI/FBI Background Checks, ParaPro Assessment testing, Licensure/Certification support, Career Connections, Nonviolent Crisis Intervention training). Technology services are delivered via SPARCC (Stark-Portage Area Computer Consortium), one of 22 Ohio Information Technology Centers within the Ohio Education Computer Network. There is no public-facing API or software product.

The revenue model combines contracted service fees from member districts (subscription/recurring) with State of Ohio Department of Education funding (subscription/recurring), fiscal agency fees for managed programs (State Support Team 9, Help Me Grow, CARE Teams, Stark County Family Council, Stark County Schools COG), and unit-priced transaction fees for Background Checks ($27-$80) and ParaPro testing ($65). Go-to-market is direct sales-led through contractual arrangements with each member district's superintendent, supplemented by partnerships with chambers of commerce for workforce-alignment Business Advisory Councils and arts organizations (Massillon Museum, ArtsinStark, Canton Symphony, Canton Ballet, Canton Museum of Art) for the Artful Living program.

Name

Stark County Educational Service Center

Legal name

Stark County Educational Service Center

Website

https://starkcountyesc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1914

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Stark County Educational Service Center is a public Ohio government entity that delivers shared instructional, therapeutic, and operational services to 22 member school districts across four counties, serving over 60,000 students.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Support Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Administration of Education Programs (92311)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Regional Education Service Agencies (ESAs/BOCES/Intermediate Units) (EDADABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

District Student Services Administration (Special Ed, Counseling, Health) (EDADABAJ), Standards Alignment & Curriculum Mapping Resources (State/NAEYC/Head Start) (EDACAJAN)

Keywords

• Educational support services
• Special education programs
• Preschool services
• School district services
• Professional development training

Headquarters

HQ city

North Canton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Contracted Services to Member Districts: The ESC provides shared services to 22 member districts including special education, preschool, curriculum development, professional development, and related services. Districts pay for these contracted services.
2. Fiscal Agent Services: The ESC serves as fiscal agent for Help Me Grow, CARE Teams, SPARCC, Stark County Family Council, Stark County Schools Council of Governments, and State Support Team 9
3. State Funding: Public education funding from the State of Ohio Department of Education
4. Print Shop Services: Full-service print shop offering graphic design and printing to member districts, with FREE delivery to member districts during school year

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The Stark County Educational Service Center (ESC) is a public government entity providing shared educational programs and support services to 22 member school districts across Stark, Carroll, Summit, and Tuscarawas counties in Ohio. It delivers direct instructional services including early childhood/preschool programs, special education classrooms, speech-language and occupational therapy, audiology services, vision services, and behavioral support, alongside operational services such as substitute teacher placement, BCI/FBI background checks, print shop, and professional development. The ESC also serves as fiscal agent for multiple regional educational initiatives including SPARCC, State Support Team 9, and Help Me Grow.

Product overview

Stark County Educational Service Center is a multi-service educational organization providing shared services to 22 member school districts across Stark, Carroll, Summit, and Tuscarawas counties, serving over 60,000 students. The organization offers a unified portfolio of direct instructional and support services rather than a software product platform. Core offerings include early childhood education programs (SCIP, ECE Classroom, Artful Living and Learning), special education services (EBD Programs, Multiple Disabilities Programs, Speech/Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Vision Services, Educational Audiology, Behavior Support Specialist), and operational support services (Substitute Teacher Services, Print Shop, BCI/FBI Background Checks, ParaProfessional Assessment Testing, Career Connections). Services are delivered through physical classrooms, itinerant specialists, and direct staff support to member districts rather than through a software platform or API.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Early Childhood/Integrated Preschool (SCIP) Preschool services for children ages 3-5 with developmental delays in communication, vision, hearing, motor skills, social emotional/behavioral functioning, self-help skills, and/or cognitive skills, provided in collaboration with eleven local school districts.
• Early Childhood Education (ECE) Classroom Developmentally appropriate comprehensive preschool program for four-year-old children based on a play-based, literacy-rich curriculum aligned with Ohio Early Learning and Development Standards.
• Artful Living and Learning Arts integration program utilizing the arts (dance, drama, literacy arts, music, visual arts) to teach Ohio Early Learning and Development Standards to preschoolers, taught by degreed teaching artists at 26 public school preschools.
• Programs for Students with Emotional/Behavioral Disorders (EBD) Behaviorally and academically focused classrooms with high structure and routine, providing specialized instruction for students in kindergarten through graduation with emotional and behavioral challenges.
• Programs for Students with Multiple Disabilities (MD) Academically-based programs for students with cognitive, behavioral, and communication disorders operating in collaboration with local school districts, organized by age and grade level from primary through transition high school.
• Educational Audiology Hearing conservation, assessment, assistive technology, consultation, and follow-up services for students with hearing loss, including a state-of-the-art Audiology Center and support for the SPEAK auditory-oral preschool program.
• Feeding/Swallowing Consultation Team providing feeding and swallowing evaluation, consultation, training, and follow-up services to ensure students have safe access to nutrition and hydration while at school.
• Occupational Therapy (OT) Services to enhance student ability to progress within their curriculum, addressing self-help/adaptive living skills, positioning, sensory-motor processing, fine motor, life skills, and assistive technology needs.
• Physical Therapy - Early Childhood Services for children identified with gross motor deficits, including mobility, posture, walking, wheelchair activities, positioning, and assistive device selection and training.
• Physical Therapy - Student Services Physical therapy services within school environments addressing gross motor skills, coordination/balance skills, mobility skills, and school environment accessibility adaptation.
• Behavior Support Specialist Functional behavior assessments (FBAs) and positive behavior intervention plan development for students with disabilities exhibiting persistent and challenging behaviors.
• ESC Print Shop Full-service print shop offering graphic design and printing services including newsletters, brochures, forms, certificates, and bindery services to member districts.
• SPEAK (Stark Project for Educating Audition in Kids) Auditory-oral preschool classroom for children ages 3-5 with hearing loss, teaching children to listen, speak, and understand spoken language using hearing aids or cochlear implants.
• Speech/Language Pathology Assessment, intervention, prevention, and research services in communication and communication disorders for individuals of all ages, including fluency, articulation, language, voice, and swallowing difficulties.
• Vision Services School-based vision services including functional vision assessment, CVI Range assessment, Orientation and Mobility evaluation, instruction in Expanded Core Curriculum, and local Braille production.
• Exceptional Olympics Annual athletic event for students with disabilities from member districts, providing opportunities for competition and community participation.
• Teaching American History Grant Program Professional development training program in American history for teachers, funded by U.S. Department of Education, providing scholarly seminars and content expertise.
• Career Connections Transition education and workforce development services including career-based employment training, Ohio Means Jobs Readiness Seal training, and real work experiences for students.
• Nonviolent Crisis Intervention Training Training program certified by the Crisis Prevention Institute for school teams facing potentially violent students or volatile situations.
• ParaProfessional Assessment Testing Approved testing location for ParaPro Assessment, qualifying individuals to become ESEA endorsed educational aides under Title I requirements.
• BCI/FBI Background Check Services Digital fingerprinting and background check services for individuals required by Ohio Revised Code 3319.39 to have criminal background checks for employment in schools.
• Substitute Teacher Services Licensed Substitute Teacher list maintenance and placement services for school districts, including orientation training and substitute assistance.
• Substitute Educational Aide/ParaPro Services Licensed Substitute Educational Aide and ParaPro list services for county-wide preschool and special education classes.
• Licensure/Certification Services Information and support services for educator licensure and certification through the Ohio State Board of Education.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 60,000 students served across 22 member districts
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, minor and major.

• SPARCC (Stark-Portage Area Computer Consortium)coreTechnology or IntegrationOne of twenty-two Information Technology Centers in Ohio, part of the Ohio Education Computer Network serving school districts in Stark, Portage and Carroll counties. Provides data management and technology related services to member and affiliated school districts. Governed by board of superintendents from member districts.
• Stark County Family CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe ESC serves as fiscal agent for the Stark County Family Council, supporting family-focused programs and initiatives.
• State Support Team 9coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe ESC serves as fiscal agent for State Support Team 9, providing regional educational support services.
• Stark County Schools Council of Governments (COG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe ESC serves as fiscal agent for the COG, facilitating cooperative efforts among member school districts.
• R.G. Drage Career Technical CenterflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerESC Superintendent Joe Chaddock serves as Superintendent of R.G. Drage Career Technical Center (a service for $1 annually). Partnership includes shared facilities including the auditorium and Bill Mease Center for Science and Mathematics used for professional development across the region. The ESC Print Shop is housed at R.G. Drage.
• Quota International of Massillon, OhiominorOthersCharitable Trust with generous support from the Timken Foundation provided essential equipment for the SPEAK program's educational audiologists to ensure children have access to sound for academic skill development.
• Timken FoundationminorOthersProvided charitable trust support alongside Quota International for equipment for educational audiologists in the SPEAK program.
• ArtsinStarkmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArts funding organization supporting the Artful Living and Learning program. One of multiple foundations providing grants and donations.
• Canton Symphony OrchestraminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArts organization partner for Artful Living and Learning program, providing musical performances and education integration.
• Massillon MuseummajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder of Artful Living and Learning program and ongoing arts organization partner. Provides facilities and collaborative support for the program.
• Canton BalletminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArts organization partner providing dance integration for Artful Living and Learning program.
• Canton Museum of ArtminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArts organization partner for Artful Living and Learning program, providing visual arts integration.
• The University of AkronmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Teaching American History Grant (2010-2014) providing scholarly seminars and historical content expertise alongside Ohio Historical Society and National Constitution Center.
• Ohio Historical SocietymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Teaching American History Grant providing historic site visits and primary source materials.
• National Constitution CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Teaching American History Grant providing educational content and resources on constitutional topics.
• Canton Regional Chamber of CommercemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-chairs one of two Business Advisory Councils connecting business and education. BAC has 75+ members providing feedback to help shape curriculum and career preparation.
• Chamber of Commerce of Western Stark CountymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-chairs one of two Business Advisory Councils. Helps bridge gap between business and education to better prepare students for workforce needs.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Hamilton County Educational Service Center: Large Ohio ESC serving Cincinnati-area districts with special education, preschool, and professional-development services under the same statutory framework as Stark County ESC.
• Cuyahoga County Educational Service Center: Ohio's largest ESC serving districts in the Cleveland metropolitan area. Directly comparable as a fellow regional Educational Service Center providing special education, professional development, and fiscal-agent services to member districts.
• Mahoning County Educational Service Center: Youngstown-area ESC operating the same statutory regional service model for Mahoning County districts, with comparable special-education and curriculum offerings.
• Franklin County Educational Service Center: Columbus-area ESC delivering shared services including special education, curriculum, and fiscal agent functions to its member districts, structurally identical to Stark County ESC.
• Lake County Educational Service Center: Northeast Ohio ESC providing shared special-education and student-support services to districts in Lake County, comparable in mission and service mix to Stark County ESC.
• Montgomery County Educational Service Center: Dayton-region ESC operating the same regional education-service model, including specialized programs and fiscal-agent services for member districts.
• Summit County Educational Service Center: Neighboring Ohio ESC already overlapping the Stark County ESC service territory (Green Local in Summit County is a Stark member). Provides the same statutory regional education-services model to its own member districts.
• Portage County Educational Service Center: Ohio ESC whose service area partially overlaps Stark County ESC's territory through the SPARCC partnership; comparable in statutory role and shared-services model.
• Tuscarawas County Educational Service Center: Adjacent Ohio ESC with overlapping service territory (Strasburg-Franklin is a Stark member district in Tuscarawas County), offering the same statutory regional education-services portfolio.
• Trumbull County Educational Service Center: Northeast Ohio ESC serving districts in Trumbull County with shared services and fiscal-agent functions under Ohio's ESC framework, directly analogous to Stark County ESC.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Stark County Educational Service Center