Ferndale graduate wins junior PGA championship
North Cup Alliance in Washington Rush Cup
Baylor Larrabee scores 68 to join exclusive company. — Sports, B1
Ferndale soccer players participate in Aug. 3-4 tournament. — Sports, B2
AUGUST 7, 2024
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FERNDALE, WASHINGTON • $1.50
Ferndale Schools’ new student board member looks for balance Junior Harlene Malli joins Gabby Lenssen to give students another liaison to board of directors, district By Luke Seymour Staff Reporter
Carl Kennerley
Kennerley named Ferndale School District’s new resource officer By Luke Seymour Staff Reporter
FERNDALE — The Ferndale City Council announced on July 15 that the position of district resource officer will return to the Ferndale School District for the 2024-25 school year. The position, originally referred to as the school resource officer, was dissolved in 2021 due a combination of budget-related issues and COVID-19 era complications. Now, after consulting with the Ferndale City Police Department to further evaluate the future of the position, the district has named Officer Carl Kennerley its new DRO. Education news website Education Week defines a school resource officer as a sworn law-enforcement officer with arrest powers who works, either full or part time, in a school setting. Although most SROs are mainly responsible for the safety and security of singular school buildings and the student bodies therein, Ferndale Police Chief Kevin Turner said the role was re-named to better fit the position’s expanding responsibilities. “To better reflect the full role of this position, to fit the entire school district, the name was changed to district resource officer,” Turner said. “The main responsibilities have not changed with the primary role of the DRO being to ensure safety. The DRO will also serve as an advisor to the district on the development of safety/emergency plans, along with being a resource to the district social emotional learning (SEL) team.” According to Turner, Kennerley had to pass through a joint coordinated selection process conducted by both the FCPD and the Ferndale School District to obtain the title of district resource officer, a process that, according to Turner, Kennerley passed with flying colors. “Officer Kennerley was selected as he met, or exceeded, all the qualifications and attributes that we were looking for,” Turner said. “Officer Kennerley has a great temperament that is suited for a DRO position, he takes ownership of his work and has a love for our community – he is excited for this opportunity.” According to Kennerley, his role as DRO will be a full time position but will be given summer months off to return to his position on the FCPD force. Although his contract only lasts for the school year, Kennerley said it is renewed yearly. Kennerley said although his primary responsibility is to protect the security of the district’s students and faculty, he looks forward to going above and beyond the call of duty this year by further integrating himself in the Ferndale school community. “My main focus will be on the safety of the students and I will be working with the administration to help maintain a safe school environment but I will also be able to assist with class presentations and other areas that the administration would like to utilize me,” Kennerley said. “I am so excited to start working with the Ferndale School District and am very humbled and happy that they have put their trust in me for such an important job.” -- Contact Luke Seymour at luke@lyndentribune.com.
FERNDALE — The June 30 Ferndale School Board meeting was the fourth for Harlene Malli. As the board’s newest student representative, Malli said she felt like this was the first real meeting she had attended since the board chose her in June. “I felt like we didn’t have much to say or talk about during the meeting we had back in July,” Malli said. “Also because I was kind of nervous, this was all just really new, so I guess you could say that this was really my first meeting just because I finally knew what I was getting into.” Malli, who will enter her junior year at Ferndale High School this fall, replaced Kwabena Ledbetter, who graduated in June. Gabrielle Lenssen, a senior, is the board’s other student representative. Malli said Lenssen has been both a good friend for her and a mentor. “She’s been so helpful and encouraging,” Malli said. “So far, Gabby has been telling me that the first year is a little harder when it comes to having the courage to speak out and say what’s on your mind. I think I’m really just learning to sit there and listen and follow her lead. She’s really taken me under her wing since I started here.” Although she is eager to listen and learn from her peers, Malli said she wants to express her thoughts when issues arise during board meetings. One of the agenda items that she was most eager to adSee Malli on A2
Harlene Malli, a junior at Ferndale High School, has been student representative on the district’s governing board since June. (Luke Seymour/Ferndale Record)
WTA Free Fare Days from Aug. 8-17 WHATCOM — Whatcom Transportation Authority will provide free rides on all bus trips within Whatcom County from Aug. 8-17. Free Fare Days is an opportunity for regular riders and newcomers to experience the ease and efficiency of WTA’s bus services at no cost. WTA’s Free Fare Days coincide with the Northwest Washington Fair, which allows fairgoers to hop on the bus to Lynden and enjoy
the fair without the expenses and hassle of driving, parking, and gas. During Free Fare Days, WTA’s Route 26 will provide regular bus service to the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds. Weekday service will operate from 6:30 a.m. to 8:48 p.m., Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Sundays from 8:05 a.m. to 6:05 p.m. For anyone who looks to park and ride, free parking is available at WTA’s Cordata Station on a first-
come, first-served basis. Please note that overnight parking is not permitted. In addition to free rides on fixed-route buses, all paratransit rides will also be free. However, Free Fare Days does not extend to Route 80X service to Mount Vernon. Additionally, youth 18 and under ride free every day on WTA. For more information, call 360676-7433 or visit ridewta.com.
Whatcom County to continue funding supportive housing WHATCOM — Opportunity Council’s permanent supportive housing facility, 22 North, will continue to provide care and secure housing to 40 residents after a resolution to cut off all county funding for the project was tabled indefinitely at Whatcom County Coun-
cil’s July 30 meeting. Opportunity Council Executive Director Greg Winter said that 22 North works as part of the federally mandated Coordinated Entry System to triage housing support for people who are homeless. According to a July 31 Opportunity Council press
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release, in Whatcom County, people demonstrating the highest risk for mortality are prioritized for the highest level of support, “meaning if they get housing, it’s likely to be in permanent supportive housing projects like 22 North.” The team also increased screening criteria for resi-
dents to promote safety in the building and continues to enforce a stricter guest policy and perform regular wellness checks. This has resulted in a sharp decrease in calls to law enforcement and positive feedback from neighboring businesses like Leaf & Ladle.
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