Ferndale school board reorganizes, welcomes new member

District, counsel continue to review Nancy Button complaint, has not taken action

By Sarah McCauley Sta Reporter

FERNDALE — On Feb. 28, the Ferndale School Board decided that last year’s president, Kevin Erickson, should continue as this year’s board president.

e board also voted to keep Melinda Cool as vice president, and Steve Childs as bond oversight committee liaison.

e legislative representative position on the board, currently held by Cool, will open again for the board to reappoint a member in June.

e board also welcomed e board voted 4-0 in favor of appointing Je erson after interviewing four candidates during a special meeting on Feb. 21. District Director No. 3 covers a portion of the district that includes the Lummi Nation, of which Je erson is an active member. Je erson brings experience implementing policies and monitoring operations, thanks to her previous experience as general manager of the Lummi Indian Business Council, and through her current job as HR manager for Silver Reef Casino Resort.

Toni Je erson, who took her seat as the board’s newest member.

Je erson lls the vacant District 3 position previously held by Jessie Deardor , who resigned in November 2022.

“I’m very excited for the opportunity to work with the other board members to support the district in delivering an excellent education system to our children,” Je erson said.

“I think Ms. Je erson’s philosophy and wealth of experience persuaded me to vote for her,” Board President Kevin Erickson said. Erickson acknowledged that the process had been “bumpier” than he would have hoped, but sees it as an opportunity for growth.

“Appointing a director to ll our open District 3 position was a bumpier process than any of us would have desired. Looking back on it, there are things that all of us wish we had done di erently,” Erickson said. “I’m hoping that this re ection will help us to move forward in a more positive mode.” e bumps Erickson references include the complaint led by applicant Nancy Button against the district, Erickson, Cool, and Eagleridge Elementary School teacher Tammy Alejandre. e board did o cially receive an extension to select a candidate, as stated in an email between Superintendent Kristi Dominguez and Larry Francois, superintendent of Northwest Educational Service District 189 (Ferndale’s district).

As of March 7, the district is still reviewing the complaint with legal counsel and has not taken any action, according to Celina Rodriguez, the district’s executive director of communications.

Also, there was confusion regarding whether the process could continue past the Feb. 18 deadline to nd a candidate.

Board member Peggy Uppiano asked for clari cation about the extension on Feb. 21 at the special meeting.

Board policy 1114 states the board must ll a vacancy within 90 days, and if they are unable to do so, the educational service district will ll the vacancy.

“Yes, as long as you are actively working towards an appointment, I can provide an extension to the 90-day requirement,” Francois said in his response on Feb. 21.

With the appointment of Jefferson nalized, the board moved forward with its reorganization of the school board, an agenda item that had been bumped as the selection process stretched on.

“I’m happy to not be kicking

Board members discuss matters as a full board of five members after a long search to fill the vacant District 3 position, which was o cially filled by Toni Je erson, pictured at right with various board members and district personnel, at the Ferndale Board of Directors’ Feb. 28 meeting. The board voted 4-0 in favor of appointing Je erson after interviewing four candidates during a special meeting on Feb. 21. (Sarah McCauley/Ferndale Record) this can down the road again,” Erickson said.

Other important takeaways from the Feb. 28 meeting:

• e Ferndale School Board approved revisions to Policy 1400 covering Meeting Conduct, Order of Business and Quorum.

On Jan. 31, the board reviewed the previously made revisions with the intention of approving the changes that evening, but decided to put it on the agenda for the Feb. 28 meeting for approval. is was out of an e ort to ensure the public had adequate time to review additional changes the board made during that discussion.

Revisions include changing wording to ensure the guidelines around who is allowed to participate in public comment is fair and adjusting how public comment periods are conducted dur- ing meetings. All policies can be reviewed through the district’s website. e board discussed inputting clear language in the document regarding student involvement in committees, and how to e ectively keep track of changes and keep lines of communication clear. Je erson, in one of her rst comments as a board member, said she agreed this was important. e board will revisit this policy for approval at the March meeting. ey learned about hot topics such as special education funding and transportation. e student members were able to meet with State Superintendent Chris Reykdal.

• e board reviewed Operational Expectations Policy regarding communications to the board speci cally from the superintendent.

“Structure on how to maintain it is a good idea, as things come up we may need to modify it. So it’s good to make those notes and have a system where we can make notes right then and there,” Je erson said.

• Cool updated the board about her trip to the Legislative Conference Day on the Hill with the student board members, Kwabena Ledbetter and Jazzie Gonzales.

“I was really giddy excited to bring two young people that I know are fantastic and show them that it doesn’t end at the school board,” Cool said. “ ere are other levels where you can really get involved.”

-- Contact Sarah McCauley at sarah@lyndentribune.com