Operations & Facilities

The transportation staff was treated to a BBQ in appreciation of their hardword this past year. Director of Operations Jamie Stottlemyer and and ABM Supervisor Duane Springer grilled up some ribs and chicken for the occasion. The team was able to enjoy their food in the newly renovated staff area at the Transportation Center. Transportation has been an invaluable resource this year, filling in as custodians, parapros, lunch time aids and more. Please join us in showing your appreciation for these hard working members of the Ferndale Family!

Our building has been improved with a new health room (including a private bathroom). This addition was part of the summer Bond-funded construction, which also beautified our reception area and added a secure vestibule to our entryway. Visitors can now be routed directly to the reception area before entering the rest of the building. This multi-stage, remotely locked system includes nearly impenetrable SchoolGuard Glass for state of the art security.

The FECC Staff room was improved with new fixtures and furniture. We are so happy to share this comfortable new space with our staff, the lifeblood of everything we do here. 

The motor room was also improved, so that our developing students have a safe and comfortable place to practice movement skills.

Have you been into our renovated buildings recently? Over the summer of 2021, bond funds allowed us to make some major improvements. The hard to spot features include a brand new roof and high-efficiency temperature control units in all classrooms. Other features are much more obvious.

Classrooms have new lighting, ceiling tiles, and flooring. Hallways and lockers have been improved as well, and water bottle filling stations were installed.

Our gymnasium was restored over the summer, complete with stylish new bathrooms.

The FUEL Cafeteria was renovated over the summer, from floor to ceiling.

The Ferndale Early Childhood Center has a brand new accessible playground for our earliest learners to enjoy!  The work was completed over the summer, and the students are thrilled to explore and learn in the new nature, themed accessible playground. From left to right, the new play area includes:

• a natural play area and climbing dome
• a playhouse with slide and climbing bridges
• a covered picnic area and sound discovery stations
• a connected fort complex with tunnels, slides, and climbing walls
• and a swing set

Scroll down for more detailed images of these exciting new outdoor learning opportunities.

The UHS media center went through a much needed transformation over the summer. The new media center now has two student-centered breakout spaces, an enlarged computer lab and additional offices. These spaces have also been outfitted with collaborative and modern furnishings.

Construction 

Work has started on the bus garage to modernize this facility.  A portion of the old warehouse is being utilized to create a new dispatch center, offices and a conference room.  The old driver lounge is being doubled in size and turned into a training room and modern break space.  Demolition is nearly complete, the plumbers have put in the underground plumbing and the HVAC contractor is installing new ductwork.

Classrooms are expanding and the entryway is being redesigned at FECC. Check back for progress reports and more photos every week.

FECC Construction Report - 6/17/2021

Improvements and secure vestibule construction have begun at FUEL. Check back weekly for progress reports and more images.

FUEL Construction Report - 6/17/2021

The US Federal Reserve has set fixed interests at record lows to prevent inflation during the current economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic response. Selling bonds at the low interest rates of 1.89% and 0.76% means that taxpayers will owe less money to bond holders over the 21 year lifetime of the bond: $4,740,798 less, to be more precise. These savings are directly passed on to taxpayers. This interest rate was also made possible by an "A+" rating due to positive enrollment trends and extremely strong wealth holdings across the district. We are so excited to share this good news with all of you, and so proud to serve a community that supports our local schools and voted for our school improvement bonds at an outstandingly high rate in the 2020 special election.

Click More to Read the Full Press Release

Several facility improvements were completed over the summer, and continue across the district. The home of our earliest learners has seen one of the latest transformations, turning the Harding gym into an indoor playland.