CHENEY-It's been weeks in the making, but the Cheney Public Schools have finally hired its next superintendent. Dr. Ben Ferney is the unanimous choice of the Board of Directors. Ferney will assume the position on July 1.
"I am excited to come and serve in Cheney Public Schools," Ferney said. "The district is moving forward in a positive direction and I look forward to being a part of this great team."
For the past five years, Ferney has served as the superintendent of the Valley School District south of Chewelah. Before that, he spent five years as the principal of Freeman High School, was an assistant principal at Westwood and Cheney Middle Schools for two years, and an assistant principal at Bancroft Alternative School for three years.
Ferney also taught science at Lewis & Clark High School for 10 years. He holds an Education Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Gonzaga University, a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from Eastern Washington University, and a Bachelor of Science from Washington State University.
"I'm super excited to be back at Cheney Public Schools-it's a special place, and I'm really excited to come back and serve in the district," Ferney said. "My initial focus is to learn about the great things happening in the district and meet as many people as possible."
Being at the helm of a school district could be considered a challenging task, but Ferney doesn't see it that way.
"I look at this as more of an opportunity. West Plains, Airway Heights and Cheney all are growing-it's about development and what that looks like," Ferney said. "To me, it's an opportunity to learn what's happening, where the development is-where's the growth and potential for schools."
Ferney has been away from the district for the past 10 years but still maintained roots in the area.
His wife is a math teacher at Sacajawea Middle School on the south hill in Spokane. Their two daughters attend Lewis & Clark High School.
"It's been a decade since I've been gone. I've grown as a person and Cheney has grown as well," Ferney said. "Coming back, I have made no assumptions and want to learn where we are at and what things look like."
Since his departure, Ferney said some "really positive things have come out of Cheney."
"Two of the things I've heard over and over is the great work being done in the PLC (Professional Learning Communities) and the Scratch Cooking Program, Ferney said."
The Scratch Cooking Program is part of a childhood obesity initiative that has the district's nutrition staff prepare meals from scratch and serve them with fresh fruits and vegetables to students.
Board of Directors President Mitch Swenson expressed his appreciation to everyone involved in the selection process and welcomed Ferney aboard.
"We wish to thank all those who participated in the process and look forward to the energy and enthusiasm Dr. Ferney has for our students and schools as he moves into this important role in our community."
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