Ferndale Board of Education Displays Mission for Members, Residents

When you tune in to a broadcast or attend a meeting of the , 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 at the . "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 as a board stand for."

The change was a small project initiated by board President Keith Warnick.

"We should be thinking about (the mission) every time we consider something," Warnick said. "I want to make sure that everybody thinks about that."

In addition to board members, he said the display will serve as a reminder for residents about the board's beliefs. "It's important for the people to know," Warnick said.

The Ferndale Public Schools mission statement reads: "Our mission is to provide all our students with quality, educational programs while promoting the values of diversity and responsible citizenship."

The "beliefs" section states:

• All students can and will meet or exceed academic expectations.
• Highest quality performance is a must for students, employees and programs.
• Collaboration improves working and learning success.
• Our differences are fundamental strengths we will utilize.
• Student and staff performance are affected by school climate and culture.
• Successful schools require parental and community involvement.

The "goals" section lists:

1. To find sufficient funds to maintain quality education for all of our students.
2. To develop and implement instructional strategies which address a wide range of student needs so that all students will achieve.
3. To stabilize and increase enrollment.
4. To become more competitive to attract and retain students.
5. To attract and maintain quality staff that will implement quality programs.
6. To promote the strengths and success of Ferndale Public Schools that will result in a positive district image.
7. To ensure a physically and emotionally safe environment that will result in optimal conditions for learning.
8. To develop and implement a comprehensive research-based staff development plan that will result in quality programs and increased student achievement.
9. To maintain the facilities that we have renovated so we will not lose the effective learning environment we have provided for our students and staff.
10. To keep our technology current to assure that hardware, software and training continue to meet teaching and learning goals.