Measuring What Matters: How Data Lights the Way at Ferndale Schools
(Ferndale Schools Superintendent Camille Hibbler, April 17, 2026)
Ferndale, MI – As we arrive at the final area of focus in our monthly series exploring the REACH strategic plan, I am filled with gratitude for the way our community has already embraced this vision.
Today, we take a look at letter H, which stands for Harnessing Data to Drive Improvement.
While the word data invokes a mental image of a cold spreadsheet for many, at Ferndale Public Schools, we view it through a much brighter lens. We use data as a flashlight. It is the tool we use to illuminate exactly what is working for our students and to cast a light on the areas where we need to grow.
Our goal is to move beyond simply collecting information. We are building a culture where data empowers everyone. From our Board of Education meetings to our classrooms, we want every decision to be grounded in purpose. By using clear evidence to guide our teaching and learning, we ensure that our schools continually evolve to meet our students needs.
To make this a reality, we have set several intentional goals for the coming years:
● Strategic Budgeting: By September 2025, we will ensure that all new investments and staffing decisions are directly aligned with our strategic pillars.
● Equity-Based Policy: By November 2026, our Board of Education will adopt a district- wide equity and priority-based budgeting policy to ensure resources go exactly where they are needed most.
● Amplifying Staff Voices: By June 30, 2028, we will redesign and implement new staff climate and engagement surveys, aiming for a 75% response rate or higher to ensure our team feels supported.
Harnessing data also means being honest about where we are today. For example, our current staff engagement survey response rates show us that we have a significant opportunity for growth. Right now, our district-wide staff response rate sits at 17.4%. These numbers tell us we need to work harder to ensure our staff feel their feedback is valued and easy to provide. By identifying these gaps now, we can purposefully build better ways to listen to the dedicated professionals who serve your children every day.
When we align our financial resources and our human talent with clear, measurable goals, we create a district that is efficient and deeply impactful. Using data allows us to be responsible stewards of your community’s investment while remaining relentlessly focused on the success of our students.
By staying focused on our goals and using our flashlight to guide the way, we are ensuring that the future of Ferndale Public Schools is brighter than ever. The Future is Ferndale!
Learn more about Ferndale Public Schools at https://www.ferndaleschools.org/
