Tuesday, March 19, 2013
The Ferndale Public Library's 'Ferndale Reads' program continues this month.
Ferndale school board members and Ferndale Public Schools superintendent Gary Meier are seen here reading Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut at Monday night's school board meeting. The Ferndale Public Library is currently giving out free copies of the book as part of its ongoing Ferndale Reads program. Ferndale Library Hosts Local Vonnegut Biographer's Literary Journey on March 27 Ferndale Library Hosts Book-Inspired Art Exhibition Ferndale Library Wants to 'Catch You Reading' Ferndale Reads Spotlight: An Interview with Dr. Gregory Sumner - Vonnegut Biographer Ferndale Reads Spotlight: Slaughterhouse-Five, Kurt Vonnegut and Dr. Gregory Sumner - Part 1 Book, Schedule Announced for Annual 'Ferndale Reads' Month
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
District will also dip into "rainy day fund" to prevent further cuts due to lower-than-anticipated enrollment.
The Ferndale Schools Board of Education on Monday voted to lay off two teachers, reduce one to part-time status and to dip into the district's rainy day fund to cover unanticipated budget shortfalls. The decision comes in response to decreased revenues due to lower-than-anticipated enrollment, particularly at the new Digital Learning Center, which opened this fall, according to school officials. Enrollment was down by about 449 students from this year's projections, resulting in a loss of state aid of approximately $3.5 million. The layoffs are in addition to two staff modifications through attrition (not filling positions left open when an employee leaves), and reductions made in goods and services. The staff adjustments equate to about $…
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Jim O'Donnell discusses strategic planning, school board meeting policies and more.
Ferndale's new school board members were sworn in last week and new board president Jim O'Donnell is looking forward to a productive year. O'Donnell said in a phone interview on Friday that engaging the community in the district's strategic planning process and ensuring open communication between the school board and residents are among his first plans. He also emphasized improving academic achievement as a top priority, and beginning the budgeting process in February for the next school year. Ferndale Schools is currently working with consulting firm Project Innovations to formulate a five-year strategic plan for the district. O'Donnell said the next step in the process is a series of town hall meetings and focus groups - the timing and …
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
The Board of Education met for its annual organizational meeting on Monday night.
It was a full house at the Ferndale school board meeting on Monday night as family members, friends and elected officials came to show their support as the board begins a new year with four new members. Raylon Leaks-May, Amy Butters, Jim O'Donnell and Kevin Deegan-Krause each took their Oath of Office during the Board of Education's annual organizational meeting. Ferndale Schools Superintendent Gary Meier said at the beginning of the meeting that it was a special night and marked "a new era, so to speak" for the school district. "I'm so excited to get down to work," Butters said during the meeting. Senator Vincent Gregory was present and congratulated the board members for taking an active role in the community. He said he would be happy …
Monday, January 7, 2013
Find out what's happening this week in Ferndale.
The Ferndale Board of Education will meet for its annual organizational meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 7 at the Harding Administration Center. This will be the first meeting with newly-elected school board members Amy Butters, Jim O'Donnell, Raylon Leaks-May and Kevin Deegan-Krause. You can find the agenda online here. Adults ages 21 and older are invited to join in drop-in basketball and volleyball starting Monday, Jan. 7 at the Kulick Community Center. Basketball is held 6-8 p.m. Mondays, and volleyball is 6-8 p.m. Wednesdays. The cost is $4 per visit or $10 for a five-visit pass. A foreclosure education workshop will be held at the Ferndale Public Library at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8. Attendees will have the opportunity to speak with a …
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Learn more about the eight candidates running for four seats on Ferndale's school board.
The November election is right around the corner and there are several opportunities coming up for residents to learn more about the candidates running for the Ferndale Board of Education. Eight candidates are running to fill four seats on the school board. You can read their candidate profiles here. Ferndale political action committee CLEAR is endorsing candidates Amy Butters, Jim O’Donnell, Raylon Leaks-May and Kevin Deegan-Krause. The Ferndale political action committee Citizens for Better Education is supporting candidates Keith Warnick, Katrina Collins, Jim Pfleger and Bradford Parks. Oct. 18: Thursday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. at Ferndale City Hall, forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters. More information here. Oct. 28: Sunday, Oct. …
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
The School Board held a regular meeting August 20.
The opening of the Ferndale Public Schools Digital Learning Center was the talk of the district's school board meeting Monday evening. As an alternative solution to high school students working toward their diploma, the Digital Learning Center will offer a different approach to those who struggle with traditional schoolwork. Using top-notch digital technology, this blended-learning consists of online lessons developed by teachers in the Ferndale Schools and beyond, and is for those students previously enrolled in Alternative Education classes. The Center will hold its first day of class on Sept. 4. Various school groups including the Technology Committee and Community Relations discussed the future of the DLC at the meeting. Here are some …
42.470423
-83.126339
Harding Administration Center (Board of Education)
2920 Burdette St, Ferndale, MI
/articles/ferndale-school-board-sets-sights-on-opening-of-district-s-digital-learning-center
708435
/locations/7642242
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Elections aren't until November, but now that these trustee-hopefuls began the discussion during last night's flash mob, there's a few key things to know about their background and campaign.
It may only be March, but two Ferndale residents hoping to win seats on the Ferndale school board are ready to start their campaign. Kevin Deegan-Krause and Jim O’Donnell made their public commitment to the November race Tuesday night during a flash-mob style announcement at the Ferndale Public Library. More than 50 people turned out, including Mayor David Coulter. The candidates didn’t go deep into their platform at the event – and have quite some time to now that a political action committee encouraged them to commit early in order to meet its endorsement deadline – but there are a few key things to know now that the discussion has begun: Four of seven seats will be open on the Ferndale Public Schools Board of Education. Elections will …
42.460638
-83.132461
Ferndale Public Library
222 E 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI
/articles/4-things-to-know-about-the-2-new-school-board-candidates
1718606
/locations/6680120
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Nearly 50 residents, parents and students in the district turned out for the announcement by Kevin Deegan-Krause and Jim O'Donnell on Tuesday evening.
Kevin Deegan-Krause and Jim O’Donnell held a flash mob at the Ferndale Public Library on Tuesday evening to announce their candidacies for Ferndale Public Schools Board of Education trustee in the November 2012 race. Both men are active in the community and parents of children in the district. Around 50 people gathered at the front of the library just before dusk, initially staying tucked away in the library until 7 p.m. Though the event lasted less than 15 minutes, the flash-mob style gathering attracted the attention of pedestrians and people walking in and out of the library. Signatures were collected on behalf of both candidates during the event, including from passers-by. Deegan-Krause told the crowd they chose the Ferndale Public …
42.460638
-83.132461
Ferndale Public Library
222 E 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI
/articles/photos-flash-mob-at-ferndale-library-announces-2-school-board-candidates
1718606
/locations/6675454
42.459663
-83.13367
The Emory
22700 Woodward Ave, Ferndale, MI
/articles/photos-flash-mob-at-ferndale-library-announces-2-school-board-candidates
1709317
/locations/6675455
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
It's important 'for the public to know what we as a board stand for,' superintendent says.
When you tune in to a broadcast or attend a meeting of the Ferndale Board of Education, you might notice a little something new. A banner displaying the school district's mission statement, beliefs and goals now hangs from the center of the board members' table, and the same verbiage is displayed discreetly in tiny text taped to the back of each board member's nameplate. "It shows our beliefs, our goals," Ferndale Schools Superintendent Gary Meier said as he acknowledged the new signs at Monday night's Board of Education meeting at the Harding Administrative Center. "I think that's something important for us to remind us every time we talk about things here at the board table." Meier said it's also important "for the public to know what we…
42.470423
-83.126339
Harding Administration Center (Board of Education)
2920 Burdette St, Ferndale, MI
/articles/ferndale-board-of-education-displays-mission-for-members-residents
708435
/locations/6044585
Thomas Gagne
9:40 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Congratulations, Mr. O'Donnell! more ›