Nicolas Damon Ferguson

NICOLAS DAMON FERGUSON Nick passed away on May 9, 2016, with his wife by his side. He was born in St. Louis, MO, on June 10, 1946, and moved to California in the mid-50s. He attended schools in Jurupa USD from 3rd grade through his graduation at Rubidoux High School in 1964. After two years at RCC, Nick went to Cal Poly Pomona where he earned his bachelors degree. Later he earned his masters and doctorate at USC. In 1968 at the age of 22, Nick began his career in education as a 4th grade teacher at Pacific Avenue School in Jurupa USD. After two years, he was moved to Rubidoux High School where he taught math and business classes. For the spring semester 1973, he was assigned to the positions of Attendance Coordinator and Work Experience Coordinator. That fall he became the first Grade-Level Coordinator for the freshman class, piloting a global counseling program which combined the roles of dean of students and counselor. Nicks career spanned 45 years to include school district level positions in the Business Office, Human Resources and the Superintendents Office at various school districts including Alvord USD, Moreno Valley USD, Riverside County Office of Education, San Jacinto USD, Beaumont USD, Riverside USD, Santa Clarita CCD, Healdsburg USD, Tracy USD, Glendale USD, Jurupa USD, Culver City USD, and San Marino USD. He taught school finance, budget development, leadership, strategic planning, and school law from 1999 through 2016 at CSUSB, UCR-X, USC, National University, UCR, University of La Verne and Pepperdine University. He was instrumental in creating the Chief Business Official Certificate Program at UCR-X and taught classes for the program. During his entire professional life, 1976-2016, Nick was heavily involved with California Association of School Business Officials. He held several positions within the Southern Section and Eastern Section. At the State level, he was the facilitator for the State Strategic Plan, a member of the State Board of Directors and the Legislative Committee. He was State President in 2005-2006 and became an Honorary Life Member of CASBO. In 2007 he was the recipient of the Sky Joyner Award, considered to be the highest honor in CASBO. From 1986-2002 Nick was the coordinator of the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) School Business Managers Academy and continued to be a presenter from 2002-2013. He was a presenter for School Finance and Leadership for the Financial Crisis Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) Chief Business Official Training, 2007-2009. He made presentations at the ACSA Superintendents Academy in 1993 and 1997. In addition to his involvement with the ACSA School Business Managers Academy, Nick served on several State committees including the Professional Standards Committee and the State Business Services Committee. Other professional activities included membership in Phi Delta Kappa, EDUCARE at USC, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accreditation Team (Chairperson 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1999), State FCMAT Committee, and coordinator of Statewide Workshops on “Class Size Reduction: Making it Work”. Nick participated in numerous community activities as a professional educator and as a private citizen. While serving as Vice President, Administrative Services at Santa Clarita Community College District, Nick was a member of the Kiwanis of Santa Clarita, on the Board of Directors for the American Heart Association and for the College of the Canyons Foundation. In his position of Superintendent of Moreno Valley Unified School District, he was a director for the Moreno Valley Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Legislative Action Committee; a director for ACCESS to the Future; Honorary Commander of March Air Reserve Base; member of Rotary International of Moreno Valley (president in 2005 and 2012); chairperson of the United Way Board of Directors; a director for Moreno Valleys Community of Promise and for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. While he was the Superintendent of Alvord Unified School District, Nick was on the Board of Directors for SmartRiverside, La Sierra Chamber of Commerce, and La Sierra Business Council. He participated as an Executive Board Member for Seizing Our Destiny and Completion Counts. As the Associate Superintendent Division of Personnel Services at Riverside County Office of Education, Nick served on the Board of Directors for the Inland Personnel Council. As a private citizen in 1994-1995, Nick was Director of Riverside City/County YMCA and Chairperson for Concept Moreno Valley YMCA. From 2000-2016 he was a member of the Board of Governors at Riverside Community College, Friends of Forensics (President 2003-2006). He was on the Riverside Community College District Citizens Bond Oversight Committee from 2010-2016 (2 years as chairperson). Most recently, Nick served on the Riverside Public Utilities Board from 2014-2015. Nick is survived by his wife of 48 years, Sandy; his son Kevin and his wife Stephanie; his brother Michael of Sacramento; his brother Morley and his wife, Patricia, of Auburn; his brother-in-law Fred Lattz and his wife, Donna, of AZ; his brother-in-law Jim Lattz and his wife, Joei, of OR; and two nephews, Sean Ferguson of Auburn and Cody Lattz of AZ. Cemetery Olivewood Memorial Park. 3300 Central Ave. Riverside, CA 92506 951-683-6611 | Thursday 1/1 Memorial The Grove Community Church Monday 6/13, 11:00 am