Committees & Task Forces
Committees & Task Forces
An Advisory Committee is an ongoing group that serves as a continuous source of input and feedback for the school board and the district administration. We encourage you to partner with us by joining one of the committees.
A Task Force is a group who serves for a limited time period and focuses on a single topic. Task forces make recommendations to the district administration and board of directors.
Committees & Task Forces
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The Ferndale School District’s bond proposal was approved at 62.04% during the February 12, 2019 Special Election – an approval rate that meets the super-majority requirement for municipal bonds.
Thank you, Ferndale School District community, for supporting Ferndale Schools. For the latest information and updates about the bond projects please visit:
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The Communications Advisory Committee (CAC) was implemented in 2011. Its overarching goal is to recommend actions to the school board and administration that will improve communications within Ferndale schools, and between the district and its constituents. This group of community members, parents, teachers, support staff and administrators has educated itself about the latest and most effective trends in school district information. They have become experts in the current state of communication in our district. CAC meets on the first Thursday of each month during the school year months.
Purposes of CAC
- Assess the current state of communications in the Ferndale School District.
- Research best practices related to school district communications.
- Examine the needs of students and staff in relationship to communication.
- Create a vision and plan for effective communication in Ferndale.
- Make recommendations regarding the implementation of the plan to the school board and the executive team.
School Board Commitment No. 2 Guides the Committee’s Work
Commitment to Communicating Openly and EffectivelyWe know that good communication is vital to the success of any organization. For our public school system, regular, transparent, inclusive, two-way communication is critical at all levels with students, staff, parents and community members.
CAC Members
Early Learning Task Force
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Purpose(s)/Goal:
- Develop a 3-5 year plan for Early Learning in Ferndale School District.
- Examine current Early Learning Programming in Ferndale Schools
- Align Early Learning Programs with inclusive, best practice
- Explore transitioning Early Learning Programs into their neighborhood schools where possible
Basis for Establishment:
- Building a vision for enhancing the student experience in early learning across all FSD schools.
- To ensure alignment with the Washington State requirements and state early learning model
Decision-Making Process:
- Recommending body to the superintendent.
- Decision-making within the task force will be consensus-based.
Plan of Work
- Form representative task force
- Conduct needs assessment of current programming
- Review best practice for high quality early learning, P-3
- Establish criteria and goals for FSD early learning programming
- Develop an action plan towards those outcomes
- Develop a recommendation to the superintendent
Responsibilities
- Attend all meetings
- Represent for constituents
- Share information and gather feedback, when determined by the task force
- Abide by the task force norms for productive collaboration
- Assigned tasks between meetings
Timeline
- Meeting every 2 weeks January 2023– April 2023
- Jan 5, Jan 19, Feb 2, Feb 16, Mar 2, Mar 16, Mar 30, Apr 20
- 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. at Mountain View Conference Center, Building B
- Recommendation to the superintendent by end of April
Implications
- Professional development costs
- Materials, equipment, curriculum, etc.
- Potential relocation costs (staff time, equipment)
Other
- Potential implications for change to campus locations
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- Trina Hall, Committee Co-Chair, Executive Director of Teaching & Learning
- Ashley Hill, Committee Co-Chair, Early Learning Principal
- Kellie Larrabee, Committee Co-Chair, Executive Director of Teaching & Learning
- Celina Rodriguez, Executive Director of Communications
- Angie George, Teacher
- Georgia Eiford, First Grade Teacher
- Kim Hawes, Elementary Principal
- Kate Walker, Transitional Kindergarten Teacher
- Rachel Bowlden, Early Learning Coordinator
- Joan Youngquist, Community Member
- Juliana Larson, Kindergarten Teacher
- Letha Nungesser, Teacher for the Visually Impaired
- Sarah Hare, Occupational Therapist
- Tashena Montoya, Parent
- Maggie Homer, Parent
- Maureen Hodge, Early Learning Director, NWESD
- Jazzy Gonzalez, student board member
- Lea Morris, Committee Secretary
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- January 5, 2023
- January 19, 2023
- February 2, 2023
- February 16, 2023
- March 2, 2023
- March 16, 2023
- March 30, 2023
- April 20, 2023
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Facilities Advisory Committee
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The Facilities Advisory Committee is comprised of a cross-section of stakeholders from the community and district who are identified through an application process to serve two to three year terms.
The committee:
- researches best practices in education and the facilities needed to support such practices;
- develops a long-range vision for Ferndale’s educational facilities;
- examines the needs of students and staff across the district as they relate to the condition of their learning environments;
- assesses the state of the district’s current facilities in terms of identified needs and long-range vision;
- creates a comprehensive, prioritized list of immediate and long-term facilities projects; and
- makes recommendation to the school board concerning the next steps for addressing needs and realizing the vision.
Grading Practices Committee
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Ferndale High School
- Ben Goodwin - Co-Chair
- Lisa Mee - ELA
- Mark Hall - Interventionist
- Sierra Hills - Counselor
- Andrew Bovenkamp - ELA
- Allison Pinnock - Science
- Lara Malpass - Math
- Sharon Dyches - CTE
- Mia Owings - Native Student Liaison
- Rav Dhillon - Principal
Vista Middle School
- Laura McMasters - Special Education
- Melissa Welch - MTSS Coordinator
Horizon Middle School
- Christine McDaniel - Principal
- Melanie Helt - MTSS Coordinator
- Laura Friend - Science
- Kevin Fineske - Math
Student Members
- Kwabena Ledbetter
- Madi Butenschoen
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As we are implementing a multi-tiered system of support throughout our district schools, an important part of this work is for us to look at our grading practices at the secondary level. Our elementary report cards are standards-based, whereas at the secondary level, our students are graded on the traditional 100% grading scale.
Our committee has been working to understand best practices for grading and assessing learning. We would like to invite you to join our conversation and share your thoughts on student grading and assessment at the secondary level at one of three listening sessions:
May 2nd, 6:30pm at Horizon Middle School (Library)
May 3rd, 6:30pm at Ferndale High School (Second Floor Learning Commons)
May 4th, 6:30pm on Zoom- For the Zoom session, please register in advance:
- Pre-Registration
- After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
We hope that you will join us at one of the three sessions; you are welcome to attend the session that works best for you. We will have Spanish interpreters in-person at these sessions and full access to interpretation for all languages.
Ben Goodwin and Faye Britt (Grading Practices Committee co-chairs)
- For the Zoom session, please register in advance:
Graduation Advisory Committee
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Purposes of Graduation Advisory Committee
- Assess the current dropout rate in the Ferndale School District
- Connect dropout rate to graduation measures
- Research common obstacles in our system that our students encounter which may lead them to dropping out
- Research and report out possible solutions that will reduce the dropout rate in the Ferndale School District.
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Our board-directed mission is to bring together a group of experts with specific skills to help improve the safety of our children by evaluating and improving upon systems that are currently in place. The initial impetus came as a result of the horrific events that took place December 2012 at Sandy Hook Elementary. We began meeting weekly with the Ferndale Police Department, mapping projects, meeting with our principals, and identifying inconsistencies and vulnerabilities within our district.
A recommendation was made to form a committee that would help us reinvent ourselves and our work. We have a talented group of members and welcome inquiries of those interested in joining our committee.
If you have questions about the Safety Advisory Committee, contact Mark Deebach’s assistant, Tammy Longstaff via email or 360-383-9203.
Mt. View Learning Center Play Ground Advisory Group
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Mt. View Learning Center Playground Advisory Group
Purpose(s)/Goal:
The purpose of the Playground Advisory Group is to plan and develop an inclusive preschool playground that caters to the diverse needs of our community and Mountain View Learning Center. By incorporating input from parents, educators, community members and accessibility experts, we aim to design a playground that encourages exploration, fosters inclusivity, and supports the growth and well-being of every child in our community.The goal is to create a safe, accessible, and stimulating environment that promotes physical, social, and cognitive development for all children, regardless of their abilities.
Basis for Establishment:
The basis for this group is the award of a substantial grant from Whatcom County Health and Community Services specifically for an inclusive playground structure to be designed and installed at Mt. View Learning Center.Decision-Making Process:
This group serves as a non-decision-making body, for the sole purpose of providing valuable input to the process of playground design, use and installation. Much of the work on this project is established by the parameters of the WCHCS grant.Plan of Work
- Determine large ideals for playground structures to guide this work.
- Determine equipment appropriate for the community needs
- Provide vision for playground design and use, including community use
- Work with designated company approved through the grant to provide input
Members:
- Paraprofessional
- Parents
- Community Partners (such as parks and rec, City of Ferndale)
- Whatcom County Dept of Health & Community Services
- Elementary School Principal
- Students
- Early Learning Specialist
- Ex-Officio
Responsibilities
- Review vision of inclusive playgrounds and contribute to refinement for this project
- Review the approved grant application to become familiar with criteria
- Adhere to timeline for project completion
- Attend meetings and provide input and perspective
- Represent for constituents
- Share information to school community and/or constituents
- Present quarterly to the Whatcom County Health & Community Services
- Abide by task force norms to for productive collaboration
- Keep updated on progress toward completion timeline
Timeline
- June 2024- May 2025
- Week of June 11 – opportunity advertised
- Last week of June: participants determined and notified
- Meeting schedule shared with team members on or before August 9
- Launch/first meeting week of September 9
- Meetings every 2-3 weeks through November and one time per month December through May.
Implications
- This is a volunteer, non-paid advisory group
- The work of this group may have implications for future playground advisory work within the district, possibly utilizing the experience and products of this group for foundation of future endeavors
Other
- Reports to Superintendent
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- Haylee Allen - Student
- Katie Morgan -Student
- Kirsten Cox -Staff
- Kathryn Kraynak -Staff
- Isabel Farquhar -Staff
- Michele Yerger -Staff
- Wendy Sim -Community Member/Partner
- Melanie Longanecker -Community Member/Partner
- Sarah Gammons-Reese -Parent/Guardian
- Erin McGuire -Parent/Guardian
- Jennifer Grahame -Parent/Guardian
- Ian Harper -Parent/Guardian
- Julia Talamantes -Parent/Guardian
- Sasha Nielsen -Parent/Guardian
- Tracy Diehl -Grant Writer/Foundation
- Nina Ballew -Teacher
- Ashley Hills- Mt. View Learning Center Principal
- Mark Deebach -Assistant Superintendent
- Jamie Plenkovich - Director of Maintenance
- Trina Hall -Executive Director
- Kellie Larrabee -Executive Director
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September 12, 2024
October 24, 2024
November 14, 2024
December 12, 2024
- Minutes (pdf)
- Presentation
Date Coming soon
- Minutes (pdf)
- Presentation
Date Coming soon
- Minutes (pdf)
- Presentation
Date Coming soon
- Minutes (pdf)
- Presentation
Date Coming soon
- Minutes (pdf)
- Presentation
Family Engagement Task Force
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Purpose:
The mission of the Ferndale School District’s Family Engagement Task Force is to recommend a multi-year action plan for district-wide family engagement. The task force will review and update family engagement policies and programs, analyze broad family engagement data, and provide recommendations on engagement strategies and additional support for Ferndale School District staff and other stakeholders.
Supporting Policy Language:
- Family Involvement (Policy 4129):
- Title I Parental Involvement (Policy 4130):
- Language Access Plan (Policy 4218):
Goals of the Family Engagement Task Force:
- Develop and implement strategies that enhance family involvement in education across all grade levels.
- Create culturally inclusive and effective school-family partnerships.
- Ensure family engagement efforts are accessible to all parents, including those with limited English proficiency.
- Evaluate and continuously improve family engagement practices within the district.
Objectives:
- Increase Family Involvement:
- Develop programs and activities that encourage family participation in their children’s education.
- Provide resources and support to help families engage in school activities.
- Enhance Communication:
- Ensure all communications are accessible to families with limited English proficiency.
- Foster regular, two-way communication between the school and families.
- Support Diverse Family Needs:
- Recognize and address the diverse structures and circumstances of families.
- Provide professional development for staff on effective family engagement strategies.
- Evaluate and Improve:
- Conduct regular evaluations of family engagement efforts.
- Use feedback to enhance and refine engagement strategies.
Implementation Plan:
- Task Force Formation:
- Recruit diverse members from the community, including parents, educators, and administrators.
- Hold initial meetings to define roles, responsibilities, and objectives.
- Development of Strategies:
- Identify and develop strategies for increasing family involvement and communication.
- Ensure strategies are inclusive and culturally sensitive.
- Feedback Mechanisms:
- Utilize standardized feedback forms and surveys during meetings to gather real-time input from families.
- Collect data to regularly assess the impact of family engagement efforts on student outcomes and program effectiveness.
- Professional Development:
- Provide training for staff on family engagement best practices, focusing on communication techniques and cultural competency.
- Evaluation and Feedback:
- Establish metrics for evaluating the effectiveness of family engagement strategies.
- Collect and analyze feedback from families and staff.
- Continuous Improvement:
- Regularly review and update the family engagement plan based on feedback and evaluation results.
- Adapt strategies to meet evolving needs and challenges.
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Responsibilities:
- Attend meetings and provide input and perspective.
- Represent the perspectives and needs of constituents within the district.
- Share information with the school community and/or constituents.
- Contribute to the refinement of inclusive engagement strategies.
- Present quarterly reports to the Whatcom County Health & Community Services.
- Adhere to task force norms for productive collaboration.
Timeline:
January 2025 - June 2025
- January: Recruitment
- Monthly Meetings (February-June): Regular engagement with families and community stakeholders. Meetings will be held at the Mountainview
- Learning Center located at 5780 Hendrickson Ave, Ferndale, WA 98248 from 5:00 - 6:30 pm:
- Feb. 13, 2025
- Mar. 13, 2025
- Apr. 24, 2025
- May 22, 2025
- June 12, 2025 (if needed)
- Quarterly Reports: Updates provided to Whatcom County Health & Community Services.
Conclusion:
Creating a Family Engagement Task Force aligns with Ferndale School District's policies and commitment to fostering strong partnerships with families. By focusing on inclusive and effective family involvement, the district can enhance student achievement and create a supportive community for all students. -
February 13, 2025
March 13, 2025
April 245, 2025
May 22, 2025
June 12, 2025
Highly Capable Learning Task Force | Phase 1
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Purpose and Goal
The proposed Highly Capable Learning Task Force is being established to ensure the Ferndale School District is in compliance with state-mandated requirements for the identification and support of highly capable learners, as outlined by OSPI and Washington State law. The task force will initially refine student identification processes and, in subsequent years, review and refine the program to support the needs of all identified learners within these grade bands.
Our long-term vision is to create a purposeful continuum of services for a diverse group of highly capable learners, ensuring each individual develops to their fullest potential.
Basis for Establishment
This task force is being proposed in response to Washington Administrative Code requirements for universal screening and equitable identification practices, as well as the district’s commitment to improving services for highly capable students in grades K-8.
Decision-Making Process
The proposed task force will serve as a collaborative, advisory group to:
- Review legal requirements and current district practices.
- Provide recommendations to ensure compliance and equity.
- Assist in developing an equitable and effective highly capable program.
The group will follow norms to ensure productive collaboration and report findings and recommendations to the superintendent.
Plan of Work
Phased Approach: To allow for a thoughtful and cautious process, the task force will focus initially on student identification and compliance with state law. Program development will follow based on the findings of the initial phase.
Phase 1 (2024-25 School Year): Student Identification Processes
- Review current practices and compliance with OSPI requirements.
- Develop and implement an equitable, data-driven process for universal screening and identification.
Phase 2 (2025-26 School Year): Program Review and Refinement
- Review and refine the existing program to better meet the academic and social-emotional needs of highly capable students.
- Develop a tiered continuum of services to support identified learners.
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Membership
- The proposed task force will include:
- One classroom teacher from each level (K-2nd, 3rd-5th, and middle school).
- One ML teacher.
- One special education staff member.
- One highly capable teacher from each level (K-2nd, 3rd-5th, and middle school).
- One elementary principal.
- One middle school principal.
- A psychologist.
- An assessment specialist.
- An early learning specialist.
- An educational expert or consultant.
- 1-2 students.
- 1-2 parents or community members.
Responsibilities
- Attend and actively participate in meetings.
- Review relevant policies, research, legal requirements, and district practices.
- Provide input and recommendations for identification processes and program design.
- Represent and communicate with stakeholder groups.
- Ensure alignment with district goals and state requirements.
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Meeting Schedule
- January 2025: Recruit membership
- (Phase 1 focus) meetings at Mountain View Learning Center located at 5780 Hendrickson Ave, Ferndale, WA 98248 from 5:00-6:30 pm:
- February 20
- March 6
- March 20
- April 3
- April 24
- September 2025 - May 2026: Monthly meetings (Phase 2 focus)
Timeline
- Phase 1 (January 2025 - June 2025): Deliverables include recommendations for a compliant student identification process.
- Phase 2 (August 2025 - June 2026): Deliverables include a highly capable program designed to meet the diverse needs of identified students in grades K-8.
Implications
The work of this proposed task force will set the foundation for the district’s long-term compliance with state regulations and the development of equitable, effective highly capable services for K-8 students. The phased approach allows the district to remain cautious and deliberate, ensuring that identification and program development align with community needs, legal requirements, and district goals.
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February 20, 2025
March 6, 2025
- MEETING PRESENTATION
- Resources for this session:
- Senate Bill
- NAGC Position Statement
- Assessment document
March 20, 2025
April 3, 2025
April 24, 2025
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Highly Capable Learning Task Force | Phase 2
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Highly Capable Learner Task Force (Phase 2: Program Review and Refinement)
The Ferndale School District is seeking members to join our Highly Capable Learner Task Force for the 2025–2026 school year. This group will engage in the next phase of our multi-year effort to build equitable, effective services for our highly capable learners at the elementary and middle school levels.
We are seeking a diverse advisory team that represents the voices and experiences of our Ferndale community, including families, educators, and staff committed to ensuring every learner is challenged and supported.
Purpose of the Task Force (Phase 2):
During the 2025–2026 school year, the task force will:
- Review and refine the existing program to better meet the academic and social-emotional needs of highly capable students.
- Develop a tiered continuum of services to support identified learners across all grade levels.
- Lay the foundation for the district’s long-term compliance with state regulations and the development of equitable, sustainable K–8 services.
This work will build upon the success of last year’s advisory, which developed an equitable, data-driven process for universal screening and identification of highly capable students. Phase 2 will extend that progress, focusing on how services can best meet the needs of identified learners.
This phased approach allows the district to remain cautious and deliberate, ensuring that program design and implementation align with community input, legal requirements, and district goals.
Responsibilities of Task Force Members:
- Attend and actively participate in meetings.
- Review relevant policies, research, legal requirements, and district practices.
- Provide input and recommendations for identification processes and program design.
- Represent and communicate with stakeholder groups.
- Ensure alignment with district goals and state requirements.
Meeting Dates: All meetings will be held from 5:30–7:00 p.m. at Mountain View conference room.
- December 17, 2025
- January 7, 2026
- February 11, 2026
- March 4, 2026
- March 18, 2026
- April 15, 2026
- April 29, 2026
- May 20, 2026
To apply for consideration to serve on the Highly Capable Program Task Force, please click use this link to complete the application. All applications must be submitted by November 14. Those selected to participate will be notified by November 21.
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Bell Times Advisory Committee
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Bell Times Advisory Committee
Purpose(s)/Goal
To serve as a recommending body that studies and evaluates possible adjustments to start and end times for Ferndale’s elementary, middle, and high schools. The committee’s purpose is to analyze research, operational realities, and community feedback to develop a recommendation for the Superintendent and School Board that best supports student learning, well-being, and family balance.
Basis for Establishment
The Bell Times Advisory Committee is being established in response to two key indicators:
- An overwhelming response from the 2024–25 community survey, which showed interest and concern regarding current start times, particularly for secondary students.
- Recommendations from the Family Engagement Advisory, which identified school start times as an important area for supporting student health, academic success, and equitable access to before- and after-school opportunities.
This work is grounded in well-established research. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that middle and high schools begin no earlier than 8:30 a.m. Adolescents experience a biological shift in sleep patterns that makes it difficult for them to fall asleep before 11 p.m. and wake before 8 a.m. Early school start times lead to chronic sleep deprivation, which is linked to decreased academic performance, higher absenteeism, and increased rates of depression and anxiety. Districts that have adopted later start times report improved attendance, academic engagement, and overall student well-being.
Decision-Making Process
The Bell Times Advisory Committee will operate as a recommending body to the Superintendent and School Board. The committee will use a collaborative, consensus-based process to analyze research, data, and operational impacts. Recommendations will include clear rationales, multiple options, and considerations for implementation and communication. Final decisions regarding bell time changes will rest with the Superintendent and School Board.
Plan of Work
- Review current bell schedules across all grade levels.
- Examine research on developmental, academic, and health impacts of school start times.
- Analyze transportation routing, staffing, athletics, and financial implications.
- Gather additional input through staff, family, and student listening sessions.
- Develop multiple feasible schedule models, noting pros and cons for each.
- Present a written recommendation to the Superintendent and School Board that includes findings, guiding principles, and an implementation timeline.
Membership
Regular Members
- District Administrators (Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals
- District Athletic Director
- Transportation Director and Dispatcher
- Executive Team Representatives (Teaching & Learning, Operations, Human Resources)
- Two Students (one middle school, one high school)
- Two Teachers (one elementary, one secondary)
- Parents/Guardians (representing a range of grade levels and schools)
- Family Engagement Advisory Representatives
- Classified Staff Representative
- Community Members
- After School Care Programs
- Youth Sport Groups
Ex-Officio Members
- Superintendent (Chair)
- High School Principal (Co-Chair)
- Executive Director of Communications
- Executive Assistant (Recording Secretary)
Responsibilities
- Review relevant research, data, and community input.
- Represent the perspectives of the stakeholder group you serve.
- Participate actively in meetings and share accurate information with others.
- Ensure recommendations are grounded in research, operational feasibility, and equity.
- Prepare and support the final written recommendation to the Superintendent and School Board.
Timeline
Early November 2025:
- Announce formation of the Bell Times Advisory and open applications for interested members.
By Mid-November 2025:
- Application window closes and selections are finalized.
Late November 2025:
- Selected members are notified and provided with an orientation packet.
December 2025 – February 2026:
- Conduct four advisory meetings.
March – April 2026:
- Finalize written recommendations and prepare presentation to the Superintendent and School Board.
May 2026:
- Share final report publicly and gather any additional feedback before next steps.
Implications
Changes to start and end times will have implications across transportation, staffing, athletics, and family schedules. However, aligning bell times with adolescent developmental research has the potential to significantly improve student well-being, attendance, and academic success. The advisory’s recommendations will balance research, operational feasibility, and community impact.
Other
The Bell Times Advisory Committee reports jointly to the Superintendent and School Board. Findings and updates will also be shared with the Family Engagement Advisory and the broader community through established district communication channels.
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- Alix Prior - Community Member
- Christina "Kina" Tiffany Loft - Parent/Guardian
- Zoyann Zamudio-Lane - Parent/Guardian
- Sarah Fowler - Parent/Guardian
- Jacob Rosenblum - Parent/Guardian
- Nancy Button - School Board
- Brian Lynch - School Board
- Kacey DiJulio - Staff
- Joel Francik - Staff
- Chelsea Menefee - Staff
- Ravinder Dhillon - Staff
- Eric Tripp - Staff
- Christine McDaniel - Staff
- Tom Diimmel - Staff
- Viridianna Ferreira - Staff
- Lewann Eggert - Staff
- Dennis Kelley - Staff
- Mark Deebach - Staff
- Kara Silsbee - Staff
- Karys Wilcox - Student
- Abigail Lewis - Student
- Tristan Spurgin - Student
- Kathlynn Fagen - Community Member
- Shannon Millican - Community Member
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Meeting Schedule
The committee will meet four times, for 1.5 hours each, from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, December 10, 2025: Orientation, research and current schedule review (canceled due to weather)
- Thursday, January 15, 2026: Family and student feedback analysis; operational considerations
- Thursday, February 5, 2026: Review of proposed schedule models and implications
- Thursday, February 26, 2026: Consensus building and preparation of final recommendations
Additional subcommittee or focus group work may occur between sessions as needed.
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January 15, 2026
February 5, 2026
February 26, 2026
School Board - Study Session presentation