Ferndale School District Superintendent Christy Dominguez has received the Washington School Public Relations Association’s 2024 Crystal Apple Award, which recognizes an individual who increases public relations and awareness for the district.
Her “belief in the power of communication” and community involvement led to improvements in the district’s culture, according to a district news release.
Her interactions with the community are extensive. She visited each classroom, department, and building within her first 100 days in office to meet as many people in the district as possible. She connects with local community members, from parents to leaders, and listens to their concerns and what improvements can be made with the goal of building trust.
She launched the “You Belong” campaign in response to research that revealed the lack of belonging that many students, faculty and staff feel within the district, according to the release. The past two years have included social media campaigns, staff recognition, personal interactions, and more.
Dominguez is in his second year as the school’s superintendent and comes to the position after 29 years with Bellingham Public Schools, serving in numerous positions from kindergarten teacher to administrator. She was instrumental in launching Transition to Kindergarten, a preschool program that was codified into law last year.
Greg Baker, Superintendent of Bellingham Public Schools, received this award in 2014.
Hayley Hoffman is a visual journalist at CDN. Please contact [email protected]. 360-922-3090 ext. 103.