Douglas ESD announces new superintendent for 2022-23 school year

On Jan. 31, 2022, the Douglas Education Service District Board of Directors appointed Analicia Nicholson as our agency’s succeeding superintendent. Nicholson will replace Michael Lasher upon his retirement on June 30. Until that time Nicholson will work closely with Lasher to ensure a smooth transition.

Lasher has served as Douglas ESD’s superintendent since 2013. During his leadership, he has fostered partnerships with area-wide organizations to strengthen valuable programs and resources that benefit newborns to young adults, as well as families.

Under Nicholson’s guidance, Douglas ESD will continue providing collaborative, high-quality, equitable, and locally responsive educational services to our regional community and thirteen component school districts. The agency provides leadership and increased capacity in early learning, behavioral intervention, information technology and special education. Many of the early learning, intervention and support services extend to Jackson, Josephine, Klamath and Lake Counties.

Nicholson has worked for Douglas ESD since 2008. Most recently, she has served as the agency’s deputy superintendent. During her early career, she taught for one year at Camas Valley before transitioning to the ESD as an instructional coach, followed by successive promotions within educational services. She holds a BS in public health education and promotion from Oregon State University and an MA in secondary education and teaching from Willamette University.

“I’m honored and thrilled to be offered this position. I feel humbled to be trusted with this role,” she says. “I look forward to working with our tremendous staff, supporting them in all the work they do to support our families and community. My vision for the ESD is to continue on the path we’re on as an advocate for our thirteen school districts, seeking out community partnerships for added support for students. By prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion, Douglas ESD is building a stronger organization that is innovative and in service to our current and next generation of leaders.”

Nicholson will lead more than 300 full- and part-time administrative, confidential, licensed, contracted and classified professionals to provide vital services to advance achievement for all children.

“It has been my privilege to work alongside Analicia Nicholson for nearly nine years,” says Michael Lasher. “As someone born and bred in Douglas County, she is familiar with what makes Douglas County tick and is also committed to improving the situation for children and families who live here. Analicia is a collaborative leader who will continue to help Douglas ESD find ways to help school districts, children and families through partnership and collaboration.”

Douglas ESD is accountable to the Douglas ESD Board, public-at-large, component school districts and the State Board of Education.

“Michael Lasher is an effective communicator who understands the importance of services that benefit children. Analicia Nicholson also embodies these important traits. The Douglas ESD Board is grateful to the public school superintendents who weighed in on the important qualities a superintendent should embody. That said, we were blessed to have excellent candidates to choose from,” says Douglas ESD Board Chair, Harry McDermott. “Also, the board is confident that by selecting a succeeding superintendent months before Superintendent Lasher retires, a smooth overlap will follow, which is a benefit to the districts and our stakeholders.”