Toni Jefferson
Candidate, Ferndale School District school board District 3
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Toni Jefferson ran for election to the Ferndale School District school board District 3 in Washington. She was on the ballot in the general election on November 7, 2023.[source]
Jefferson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. Click here to read the survey answers.
[1]
Elections
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General election
Endorsements
Jefferson received the following endorsements.
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Toni Jefferson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Jefferson's responses.
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I am a mother of a student in the Ferndale District. I have a direct vested interest in the outcome of the education services our children receive. I feel I have experience and skills that will support our community in meeting our educational goals as a board director. My experience as the General Manager (3 years) of Lummi nation where I oversaw operations of our education system, early learning to high school and I was a school board member (2 years) participating in the policy side of education. I have acquired a Leadership Executive master’s in business from Seattle University, where I studied change management, coaching and servant-based leadership in addition to the business aspect of organizations. I have a unique understanding of the board role as well as the administration.
- I wholeheartedly support the ‘You Belong’ campaign. In order for our youth to be able to focus and learn, they need to feel safe and secure. Creating a safe learning space is foundational to the success in becoming lifelong learners
- Another one of my goals is to build bridges within our community. By facilitating meaningful connection between students, families, and educators, families can trust that thier children are in an environment that supports them.
- Be accessible to the community members of the district to hear concerns and make board recommendations in response. Continue to monitor fiscal activities of the district, identify opportunities to improve transparency to the various stakeholders of the district and make board recommendations for corrections as needed.
I believe the primary issues are creating a safe environment so our children can focus on learning this includes physical, emotional, and mental safety. Bring our community together to develop policies that work for our children, parents, and other stakeholders within our community. I also believe there is an opportunity to improve fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability to our stakeholders.
My grandparents because they were very dedicated to their children and their community.
Servant based leadership.
Accountable, responsible, transparent and authentic.
I am a mother of a student in the Ferndale District. I have a direct vested interest in the outcome of the education services our children receive. I feel I have experience and skills that will support our community in meeting our educational goals as a board director. My experience as the General Manager (3 years) of Lummi nation where I oversaw operations of our education system, early learning to high school and I was a school board member (2 years) participating in the policy side of education. I have acquired a Leadership Executive master’s in business from Seattle University, where I studied change management, coaching and servant-based leadership in addition to the business aspect of organizations. I have a unique understanding of the board role as well as the administration.
Support, monitor and correct as needed.
First seek to understand then seek to be understood.
Mount St. Helen eruption.
Delivering news papers when I was 11.
To listen to community members, support the superintendent, advocate for the district and always put our children 1st. The board oversees the superintendent. I believe the board is there to support the superintendent in every possible way so she can be successful, which leads to our school administrators being successful, to our teachers and then our students. It’s a matter of letting the superintendent know things are going good and also when there’s opportunities for improvements. The board is also responsible for developing a vision of our school district with stakeholders and developing a strategic plan, objectives, key performance indicators and regular check ins to make sure we are making progress and correcting when we are not seeing the results we want.
Children, parents, school employees, community members and other community stakeholders.
I believe the biggest responsibility of a board member is to listen to all stakeholders when developing, implementing and monitoring policies. We have a great system in place with having two students on our board in non-voting positions. We also set aside time in our meetings to listen to public comments. Although, I believe we could do a better job of responding, whether it be in a post or at the next meeting, responses should be made and/or at the very least acknowledgement. Our Superintendent is responsive and engaged. Additionally, as a board member I am committed to being accessible to our respective community members.
One of my goals is to build bridges in our community and to create a safe, supportive environment so our children can focus on learning. By making sure there’s a meaningful connection between students, families, and educators, I can help ensure that students can learn, and families can trust that their children are in an environment that supports them. This is done by getting out into the community you serve, going to sporting events, community events and your child(ren)'s school events.
There are tools in place to measure, the district team have brought forward recommendations for improvements. Changes are being made to increase scores and graduation rates.
Yes, we are currently exploring options to offer more trade training opportunities for our students.
Developing network of legislators to support and advocate for our district, work with the Superintendent to create educational material to present to the various stakeholders involved.
More transparency and more accountability of how funds and resources are spent. More education on our very complex funding sources for our district.
Nooksack Indian Tribe
The 42nd Legislative Democrats
The Ferndale Education Association
Advance Native Political Leadership
Stand for Children Washington
The Lummi Indian Business Council
A gracious space where children feel they belong and are cared for by patient caring educators.
Particpate in PAC activities, going to school events, and functions.
Create an environment where talent gravitates to our district paired with strategic outreach.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Other survey responses
Ballotpedia identified the following surveys, interviews, and questionnaires Jefferson completed for other organizations. If you are aware of a link that should be added, email us.
Jefferson completed a questionnaire for Vote411. In it, she said, “I believe the primary issues are creating a safe environment so our children can focus on learning, this includes physical, emotional, and mental safety. Bring our community together to develop policies that work for our children, parents, and other stakeholders within our community. I also believe there is an opportunity to improve fiscal responsibility, transparency, and accountability to our stakeholders.”
See also
External links
