The nine educational service districts (ESDs) provide services to Washington public and state approved schools on a regional basis. They are required to ensure equalized educational opportunities and to deliver programs that are more effective or economical at the regional level. The ESDs assist the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education in the performance of their duties and provide technical and professional consultation in their liaison capacity between the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and local school officials. The state allocates funding for the following staff to provide basic core services: one FTE superintendent, two FTE curriculum specialists, two FTE fiscal officers, three FTE support staff and two FTE professional development specialists. These staff perform state mandated services such as administration, fiscal, curriculum, and certification support. Core services provide the necessary infrastructure to develop and expand cooperative and fee for service programs to meet the special needs of local schools. Through the ESDs, schools can take part in financial cooperatives for purchasing and insurance, or other cooperatives such as special education, bus maintenance, and distance learning. ESDs also provide statewide coordination of legislated special and pilot programs at a regional level.