YAKIMA – Educational Services District 105, which serves school districts throughout central Washington, has added Ellensburg resident Mark Grassel to its board of directors.

Grassel has worked for the Department of Natural Resources as an orchard and vineyard manager since 2007. He oversees 14,000 acres of state land that is farmed to benefit school construction.

Grassel's wife, Donna, is a math teacher at Ellensburg's Morgan Middle School. A brother serves on the Parkrose School Board in Portland, Ore.

Grassel replaces Dick Wedin, who has left to start a term on the Ellensburg School Board.

ESD 105 supports 25 public school districts and 23 private and tribal schools in south central Washington. ESD 105 programs reach 60,000 students.