School Board Filing Announcement https://www.ferndalesd.orq/school-board

Bellingham, WA, May 1, 2023: If you are interested in running for office this year, get ready to file your Declaration of Candidacy. Candidate Filing Week is May 15 — May 19, 2023.

Candidates can find information regarding offices open for election, filing fees, steps to file for office, the Candidate Filing Guide, and lot draw results on the Auditor's Candidate Resource webpage at https:llwww.whatcomcounty.us/Candidate-Resources

County Auditor Diana Bradrick advises prospective local candidates to review the Candidate Filing Guide. Requirements and regulations can change from year to year, so this is a great resource, Auditor Bradrick said.

Candidates are encouraged to file their Declaration of Candidacy online. The online candidate portal opens at 9:00 am on Monday, May 15, and closes at 4:00 pm on Friday, May 19. The link to file online is at Candidate Resources/File for Office.

Candidates not able to file online will need to complete a Declaration of Candidacy paper form. The form is at Candidate Resources/File for Office. The form can be retumed by mail, email, fax, or in person. A Declaration of Candidacy form may be mailed to the Whatcom County Auditor's Office, Election Division, 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 103, Bellingham, WA 98225 from May 1 - May 19. A form returned by email or fax must be submitted after 9:00 am on Monday, May 15, but before 4:00 pm on Friday, May 19.

Candidates may file in-person at the Whatcom County Auditor's Office starting at 8:30 am on Monday May 15 through 4:30 pm on Friday, May 19.

The lot draw will be held at 4:45 pm on Friday, May 19. The lot draw determines the order candidates will appear on the ballot. The deadline to withdraw a Declaration of Candidacy is at 4:30 pm on Monday, May 22.

The Board of Directors' Role and Responsibilities:

The board consists of five citizens of the school district, representing five director districts, each of whom is elected for a four-year term. However, they are elected by and represent all citizens of the school district. Members, by choice, serve without pay.

Advocating on behalf of students and schools, representing the community, developing and adopting district policy, monitoring operations, hiring and evaluating the superintendent of schools, resolving disputes, establishing current and long-range educational plans and programs for the district, approving and adopting an annual budget that serves as a financial basis for the district, setting general goals and adopting policies upon which instructional programs will be based, all of which must be in accordance with state law and regulations promulgated by the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the State Board of Education, determining school housing needs, purchases, disposes of or leases of school sites, and approves building plans that will support and enhance educational programs, determining assignment of staff and allocation of staff time, evaluating teaching materials, and maintaining ongoing personal communication with school staff, students and members of the community.

Additional Resources:

Want to learn more about becoming a School Board Member? Here are some helpful resources:

WSSDA - Serving on Your Local School Board

Whatcom County Elections

Responsibilities of the Board

For more information, please email Kristin Newberry at kristin.newberry@ferndalesd.org or contact the Whatcom County Elections office.

Election Division elections@co.whatcom.wa.us
311 Grand Avenue
Suite 103
Bellingham, WA 98225
Directions
Phone: 360-778-5102
Fax: 360-778-5101

 

Open Positions for the Ferndale School District

District 1 — Yellow

District 2 - Green

District 3 — Orange

Detailed boundary information linked here