Ferndale Schools Big Change: Superintendent Blake Prewitt (video)

Ferndale Schools Big Change: Superintendent Blake Prewitt (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, July 30, 2014) There’s a new Superintendent in town, an almost all new administration in fact. When students return to Ferndale Schools in the fall they may notice a nearly complete change in leadership as the new administration takes over. Blake Prewitt, a former…

Ferndale Schools Big Change: Superintendent Blake Prewitt (video)

Ferndale Schools Big Change: Superintendent Blake Prewitt (video) (Crystal A. Proxmire, July 30, 2014) There’s a new Superintendent in town, an almost all new administration in fact. When students return to Ferndale Schools in the fall they may notice a nearly complete change in leadership as the new administration takes over. Blake Prewitt, a former…

Ferndale Schools Superintendent Search Underway

Ferndale Schools Superintendent Search Underway (Crystal A. Proxmire, April 10, 2014) Who will be the next Superintendent of Ferndale Schools? This question is the focus of the Ferndale School Board as they embark on their search for their next top administrator.  After 14 years of service, Superintendent Gary Meier announced his retirement in May.  He’ll…

Ferndale Schools Superintendent Search Underway

Ferndale Schools Superintendent Search Underway (Crystal A. Proxmire, April 10, 2014) Who will be the next Superintendent of Ferndale Schools? This question is the focus of the Ferndale School Board as they embark on their search for their next top administrator.  After 14 years of service, Superintendent Gary Meier announced his retirement in May.  He’ll…

School Funding Discussions Feb. 18, Advocacy Trip Feb. 19

School Funding Discussions Feb. 18, Advocacy Trip Feb. 19 (Crystal A. Proxmire, Feb. 16, 2014) The Ferndale School Board and other advocates are focusing some of their efforts on Lansing as they grapple with the problem of less funding for public education. On Tuesday, Board Trustee Kevin Deegan-Krause will give two presentations on school funding,…

Jim O’Donnell’s State of the Ferndale Schools Address

Jim O’Donnell’s State of the Ferndale Schools Address (Jim,O’Donnell Ferndale Schools Board President, Feb. 14, 2014) NOTE:  Ferndale School Board President Jim O’Donnell presented this speech on Feb. 12, 2014 to the community through a Ferndale Area Chamber of Commerce gathering held at Local Kitchen and Bar.  Below is the full text of the speech…

Ferndale Superintendent Takes Pay Cut, Hopes Others Will Too

Ferndale Superintendent Takes Pay Cut, Hopes Others Will Too (Crystal A. Proxmire, Feb. 12, 2014) Concessions continue as Ferndale Schools tries to negotiate their way out of a $2.4 million budget shortfall by asking employees for temporary pay cuts.  Superintendent Gary Meier and Director of Finance Maureen Adams accepted 7.38% reductions in their contracts for…

Education Advocacy Trip to Lansing Planned for Feb.19

Education Advocacy Trip to Lansing Planned for Feb.19 (Ferndale Schools, Jan. 31. 2014) Join the Ferndale Board of Education, administration, union leaders, municipal leaders, PTA and your neighbors and travel to Lansing to advocate for the fair funding of our schools.  Although legislator schedules are tentative, this schedule is being designed to allow participants maximum…

Details of UAW Contract with Ferndale Schools

Details of UAW Contract with Ferndale Schools (Ferndale Schools Press Release, Jan. 20, 2014) EDITOR’S NOTE:  Ferndale Schools is currently negotiating with all unions in hopes of wage concessions.  Read a letter from School Board President Jim O’Donnell at https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/01/19/letter-from-ferndale-school-board-president-jim-odonnell-on-budget/, and a story on picketing at the School Board meeting at https://oaklandcounty115.com/2014/01/14/proposed-pay-cuts-to-teachers-and-staff-spark-protest-at-ferndale-schools/.  The union agreement…

Proposed Pay Cuts to Teachers and Staff Spark Protest at Ferndale Schools

Proposed Pay Cuts to Teachers and Staff Spark Protest at Ferndale Schools (Crystal A. Proxmire, Jan. 14, 2014) Dozens of union members – teachers, secretaries, bus drivers and maintenance workers – held signs and chanted about fair wages as they looped around Burdette Street in front of the Ferndale Schools Administration Building before Monday night’s…

Moeser Resigns, Ferndale School Board Seeks Applicants

Moeser Resigns, Ferndale School Board Seeks Applicants (Crystal A. Proxmire, Dec. 18, 2013) Charles (Chuck) Moeser turned in his resignation Tuesday night after over 20 years on the Ferndale School Board, including ten as Board President. The Board has 30 days to find someone to appoint who will fill his position.  The partial term ends…

Henry Gold and Barb Evoe Announce Retirement from Ferndale Schools

Henry Gold and Barb Evoe Announce Retirement from Ferndale Schools (Ferndale Schools Press Release, Aug. 20, 2013) The Ferndale Schools Board of Education unanimously voted at their August 19, 2013 meeting in support of the retirement resignations to two of its top administrators, Henry Gold, Deputy Superintendent, and Barbara Evoe, Executive Director of Curriculum and…

Water Bill, Enrollment Woes Contribute to Teacher and Secretary Cuts

Water Bill, Enrollment Woes Contribute to Teacher and Secretary Cuts (Crystal A. Proxmire, June 28, 2013) Ferndale Schools got some surprises in recent months that took their toll on the district’s finances, resulting in layoffs to teachers and secretarial staff as part of this year’s budget process. A $229,000 quarterly water bill for the high…