Ferndale Schools and Community
A Community-Driven District
I see Ferndale as a community whose strength comes from its diversity of people, businesses, organizations, and groups. That same principle applies to our schools: a diverse network of opportunities and supports is what builds student success. Furthermore, schools must be more than an 8-to-3 institution. Programs like Latchkey and community partnerships outside the traditional school day are vital for our families.
1. Retaining and Valuing Teachers
Educators must feel valued, supported, prepared, and equipped to succeed. Teacher and staff retention is a major priority for me, particularly for early-career educators. I want our leadership to develop strong relationships with colleges and universities to create dedicated pipelines for recruiting high-quality educators.
2. Addressing Student Retention & Choice
I share the concerns about families choosing to leave our district. Rather than criticizing those decisions, we need to proactively understand why families leave. Ferndale must demonstrate clear, concrete evidence of how our schools are improving and thriving.
3. Celebrating Success
We need to make our accomplishments visible. I want our students' successes celebrated loudly and proudly throughout the community so that all families can see the incredible opportunities available to their children right here in Ferndale.