Assistant Superintendent of School and Agency Operations, Loy Dale

Assistant Superintendent of School and Agency Operations, Loy Dale, will retire effective February 19, 2021, ending a 25-year tenure of significant advancement in Insurance Programs for ESD 112.

For more than two decades Loy has overseen Insurance Programs, which includes the Risk Cooperative, Workers’ Compensation Trust, Unemployment Compensation Pool, and the Health Care Purchasing Cooperative. He also managed the Specialized Transportation Cooperative and the Regional Transportation Coordinator. All of which have a combined budget of $13.8 million.

Loy was brought on to the ESD 112 team in 1995 by former Superintendent, Twyla Barnes, who he credits for charting his course from Puget Sound ESD to Vancouver. What he brought with him was the ultimate goal of meeting and maintaining best practice standards put forth by the Association of Government Risk Pools (AGRip).

“I am truly proud to have led a team that is nationally recognized for best practices in our industry. In addition, we consistently receive 94-99% scores in both risk and workers’ compensation from outside independent auditors every year. The only way we were able to do that is through the outstanding staff, leadership and support at ESD 112,” said Loy. “I cannot say enough about how highly technical and qualified our staff is,” he added.

When Loy began his role at ESD 112, the primary focus was to provide services that would save districts money. Today, he admires the agency’s shift that has been made to be not only a resource for districts but also a multi-disciplinary educational leader throughout the region. “I have seen it over the past five years more than ever,” explains Loy. “From our Early Childhood services to our Specialized Student Services and many more programs in between, the ESD has accepted the responsibility to lead the way in every capacity to serve districts.”

Some of Loy’s most memorable moments throughout his time at the ESD have been working with superintendents. “We are always putting our member districts foremost,” he explains. “Protecting them is what guides everything we do.”

“Loy Dale has been a fantastic partner, advocating for and supporting member districts,” said Executive Committee Member and Woodland Superintendent Michael Green. “He likes to call himself ‘the insurance guy’.  Because of the partnerships he has formed, we think of him as ‘our insurance guy’ and he will be greatly missed,” said Green.

Loy also valued spending time with the ESD Board at various regional and national conferences. “[They] have done a phenomenal job of leading our agency and I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to work alongside each of them,” explained Loy.

Throughout his tenure Loy has worked closely with current Superintendent of ESD 112, Tim Merlino. The tenures for the two span decades supporting school districts.

“Since Loy arrived at ESD 112 more than 25 years ago he has done his best to make sure that school districts received coverage for losses,” said Merlino. “His knowledge and advocacy for the agency will be hard to replace. He has been a great thought partner for me and his colleagues; and, a great friend who I will miss. I most of all want to thank him for his dedication and support to the school districts of Southwest Washington,” he added.

While Loy’s professional accomplishments for districts and ESD 112 span far and wide, he is most proud of his personal achievements: his family. What’s next on his calendar? Spending time with his grandson, Grant, who turns 2 in February.

The ESD family wishes Loy the best as he pursues retirement.

Marnie Allen, the current Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources and Legal Services will assume leadership for the School and Agency Operations Division upon Loy’s departure.