CESA 5, located in South Central Wisconsin, encompasses major portions of Adams, Columbia, Juneau, Marquette, Portage, Sauk, Waushara and Wood Counties, as well as portions of Waupaca, Green Lake, Dane and Dodge. It serves thirty-five school districts representing approximately 50,000 students. The largest city within CESA 5 is Stevens Point, site of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. There are also two vocational and adult education campuses within CESA 5. The agency office is located at Portage, approximately 30 miles north of Madison. All financial support comes from local school districts, federal and state project grants, or state categorical aids.

It has been over forty years since the creation of Cooperative Educational Service Agencies (CESA) in the State of Wisconsin. In those years changes have occurred. New programs have been introduced, many have changed in focus and perspective to meet the changing conditions of education and some have been eliminated. Change and evolution are essential to meeting society's needs in the education of our youth. CESA 5's goal is to maintain vibrant and responsive educational opportunities for students, teachers, and administrators as we move forward into the next quarter century.

On behalf of the staff of CESA 5, I invite you to become familiar with the types of programs and services we offer.

Donald L. Stevens, Agency Administrator, CESA #5