Ferndale Students Hit the Streets with School Bond Info

For Ferndale eighth-grader Megan Burke, the  that residents will  is an issue of high importance.

"It's to help the schools get better," said Burke, 13.

As a student at Ferndale Middle School, she knows firsthand what the impact of an improved heating and cooling system — one of the projects in the proposed $22.8 million bond — would be for students.

"It's always either very hot or very cold," said Burke, who said classroom windows can't be opened, even when during hot weather.

She also wants to see the asbestos removed. The bond proposal includes $5.2 million designated to remove asbestos from the ceilings at  and .

"The asbestos issue is really big, and it affects every student," she said.

That's why Burke took part in a literature drop Thursday afternoon, during which about 35 district students went door to door in Ferndale to distribute information about the proposed bond.

"They should vote yes to help the students get a better school and a better education," Burke said.

Her mother, Cindy Burke, helped organize the students Thursday. Included in the group were students from the band, honors society, Cub Scouts and more.

"It was great to see the kids come out during their winter break to help support the bond," Cindy Burke said.

The event was just part of a final push led by pro-bond group . The group, chaired by Ferndale Police Chief Tim Collins, aims to spread the word about what group organizers have called a "no fluff" bond that would fund much-needed school improvements.

Collins said the citizens group will start making reminder phone calls this weekend to people who have expressed interest in the bond issue, and it will continue to spread the word as much as it can in the community.

He said the group feels "cautiously optimistic" about the vote Tuesday.

"The voters in this community have supported these type of issues time and time again," Collins said Thursday. "This is a vote of the people; the people get to say yes or no. We hope that we've gotten the word out and we've made our case."

A fundraiser is planned for 3-5 p.m. Sunday at in Ferndale, where face-painting, bingo and live music will be offered. The ice cream shop will donate 30 percent of all sales proceeds during the event to Citizens for Quality Schools.

Ferndale parent Liz Lisiscki, who was on the committee that determined the most needed upgrades and repairs to include in the bond, helped with the literature drop Thursday.

"I think it's important that the kids are out helping to get the school bond passed, because this is for them," said Lisiscki, a Ferndale grad herself who has a son at FHS and a daughter who graduated high school last year. "Voters can see who this money will help, and the kids can take on the responsibility of helping their school and taking ownership of their school."

Lisiscki also serves as president of the Ferndale PTA council, which oversees all PTA units.

"I remember, when the last bond passed, how proud my daughter was to step out on that new football field with the marching band, knowing she helped make that happen," Lisiscki said.

For more information on Citizens for Quality Schools, visit citizensforqualityschools.org.