Nancy Button

Nancy Button was elected to the Ferndale School Board in November 2023.  "I felt called to serve on the Board, and I saw that everything that I had done in education had led me to this point."

Mrs. Button taught at Central Elementary School for 20 years (primarily in 4th and 5th grades) before retiring in 2021. She also spent a year teaching in the Philippines. In her spare time, Button loves outdoor activities like skiing, boating, kayaking, and spending time with her family. She’s actively involved in the Ferndale Heritage Society and enjoys singing in a local Dixieland band, too.

Button, originally from Bellevue, moved to Whatcom County to attend Western Washington University in 1978. She fell in love with the area, as well as her future husband, Dale. Their son and daughter attended Skyline and Vista, and graduated from Ferndale High School in the 2000’s. Their children were well prepared for their futures by attending Ferndale Public Schools; now one is an RN and the other is finishing law school.

Button says that her main goal as a Board Director is to promote academic rigor. She does not want any students that come from our district to need remedial education in order to take their place in any college, university or workplace. She wants all students to be prepared for fulfilling lives beyond their school years. She believes parental involvement is paramount to students’ success. She is happy to see that during the first half of her 4-year term a Strategic Plan was developed and adopted by the board, giving focus and direction to everyone in the district. Another win, the cell phone policy, implemented in the fall of 2024, is showing positive outcomes for students, socially and academically.

Button is grateful for the opportunity the voters have given her to serve our community on the School Board. She welcomes people reaching out to share their ideas, dreams and opinions to help her navigate the decisions she makes, keeping students front and center.