Yes Ferndale Kids

Principal Kombo's letter

 

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing in support of Ferndale School District’s bond issue to build a desperately needed “new” Ferndale High School.

I am the proud principal of Ferndale High School, and I am extremely aware of the state of our campus, its current limitations, and its proud past. My hope is that the Ferndale community recognizes the need for a new Ferndale High and supports its construction. In terms of enrollment, we are the largest high school in Whatcom County; we have the largest campus; in my opinion (and the opinion of many others), we have the best students and staff; and have we also have the dubious distinction of having the oldest and most antiquated high school facility in the county.

Like every parent, I want my daughters to go to a high school that will keep them as safe as possible, provide them with elective classes of their choice, and allow them to experience the kind of industry standard technology that will prepare them for life after high school. Currently, I am not able to provide those things for our students to the degree they deserve. Our campus is comprised of more than half dozen buildings with over 70 exterior entrances, which limits our ability to assure proper access control. In terms of elective classes and technology, the limitations of our facility simply won’t allow us to upgrade equipment.

At this point, while no plans have been developed or drawn, the concept of building a new facility on our existing campus while our students remain in our current buildings make the most logistical and financial sense for our community. We have ample room to the north of our “new gym” near our practice fields to build a new multi-story campus. Our term the “new gym” in itself is a statement about the age our campus, since it is almost 40 years old.

I have been asked the question, “Why not just remodel what is already there?”  Fair question. However, in order to truly move Ferndale High into the 21^st century in terms of safety, elective programs, technology, and preparation for 21^st century jobs, we need a “clean slate.”  An extensive remodel would cost upwards of 80% of the price of a new school and would still leave us with many of the deficiencies that currently exist. Personally, I’d have a hard time spending so much money on a campus that still had serious limitations.

Since our “Old Main” building was constructed in 1933, our campus has undergone ten or more remodels, renovations, and/or additions. These projects, while necessary at the time, have resulted in a mishmash of heating, electrical, plumbing, and technology systems and required adding “band-aid” after “band-aid” to our campus to keep them all going. Band-Aids are meant to be temporary fixes that eventually need to be addressed. My hope is that now is the time we will address them -- for today’s students and all of the students who follow them.

Ferndale High School has a long and deep history of student achievement, in the classroom, on the performance stage, and in athletic competitions. Our facility is now becoming a limiting factor for how much my staff and I can support our students. I urge the voters of Ferndale School District to please support the building of a “new” Ferndale High School so we can continue to say, “It’s a Matter of Pride,” for the generations of students to come.

Aaron Kombol