Ferndale School District Superintendent Kristi Dominguez was awarded The Washington School Public Relations Association’s 2024 Crystal Apple Award, given to someone who has enhanced public relations or perceptions of a school district.
Her “belief in the power of communications” and community engagement has resulted in an improvement in the district’s culture, a district news release said.
Her community interactions have been expansive. She visited each classroom, department and building within the first 100 days of holding her position to meet as many people within the district as possible. She’s connected with local community members, from parents to leaders, to hear their concerns and what could be improved upon with a goal of building trust.
She launched the “You Belong” campaign following a survey that revealed the lack of belonging many students and staff felt within the district, according to the release. Over the past two years, it involved a social media campaign, staff recognition awards and personal interactions.
Dominguez is in her second year as the school’s superintendent and assumed the role after 29 years with Bellingham Public Schools, where she filled numerous roles from kindergarten teacher to administrator. She was instrumental in launching Transition to Kindergarten, a pre-kindergarten program that was codified into law last year.
Greg Baker, superintendent of Bellingham Public Schools, previously won the award in 2014.
This story was updated at 10:31 p.m. on March 6, 2024 to correct the spelling of the name of the award recipient in a headline. Cascadia Daily News regrets the error.
Hailey Hoffman is a CDN visual journalist; reach her at haileyhoffman@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 103.
