By unanimous vote from the Ferndale School District Board of Directors, Karin “Kristi” Dominguez is the new superintendent.
“I’m over the moon,” Dominguez said. “It feels a little surreal.”
Starting July 1, Dominguez will take the position over from interim superintendent Mark Deebach. She will be responsible for balancing an $80 million budget and managing nine schools and 600 employees.
Dominguez told Cascadia Daily News that step one is a learning tour. She wants to make connections with the students and families of Ferndale and the Lummi Nation. Listening will come first and action second, she said. Her goal is to make every student feel like they belong within the district.
“The thing about Ferndale is they have all the ingredients to be a powerhouse,” she said. “They have the energy, the power, the pride.”
Dominguez has worked with Bellingham Public Schools for more than 30 years as a teacher and administrator. She was one of 16 applicants and went through a rigorous process of interviews, school visits and community forums throughout the last week. She impressed students, board members, teachers and the Ferndale community.
“I thought she was phenomenal,” said Kris Newberry, an attendee at Dominguez’s community forum on March 24. “She consistently reiterated the voice of the student as the center and the importance of involving the community in decisions.”
In the short term, Dominguez will say some bittersweet goodbyes in Bellingham and respond to the 194 “congratulations” text messages she received.
