Membership & Benefits

Our Story

During the 2014-15 school year a small group of Southwest Missouri superintendents began the discussion of forming a Southwest Regional School District consortium. These discussions continued and the group began to grow. In the Spring of 2015, eleven school districts agreed to form a cooperative of school districts.

The organization was named The Greater Ozarks Cooperating School Districts (GOCSD). The GOCSD By-Laws were approved and the State of Missouri recognized the organization as a “Not for Profit Educational Service Agency.”

The 2015-16 school year was GOCSD’s first year as an organization, and by the end of the year, 28 member districts were represented. Currently,  GOCSD represents 66 school districts representing nearly 112,000 students and growing. GOCSD consists of rural, suburban, and urban communities representing districts with enrollments of less than 50 and up to 25,000 students.

District Memberships

GOCSD exists to serve member districts by promoting a collaboration of resources to ensure educational opportunities are maximized. Member districts are committed to the advancement of educational opportunities for students served at all educational levels within the Ozarks.

When the need arises, and agreement exists, GOCSD allows school districts from our region to speak as one voice on major issues that impact our districts and communities. GOCSD provides a single contact point for gathering information, exploring new projects, sharing best practices, and developing business opportunities on a regional scale.

Affiliate Memberships

As a result of our rapid and continued growth, the tremendous success of our goals, and the commitments of member districts, GOCSD is also able to offer Affiliate Memberships to organizations and vendors. Membership is your “letter of introduction” to 66 (and growing) GOCSD school districts.

Benefits of membership include:

• Partnerships with the school districts and people with whom you desire to do business
• Heightened awareness of  your organization, its products and services
• Placement of your name on publications that are actually read and seen by district decision maker
• A link to your organization on the GOCSD website
• Affiliation with, and participation in, major GOCSD events
• Opportunities to communicate directly with education leaders
• Priority sponsorship opportunities at our premier Innovation Summit and other major GOCSD activities

Affiliate membership does not imply endorsement by GOCSD for an affiliate’s programs or services. Affiliate membership will be awarded by board action. Membership will give those who work with, support, and seek to do business with GOCSD member districts, a point of connection and involvement with GOCSD’s mission and beliefs.

Basic Membership – $500.00 per year