Letter: Former Council Member Questions School Board Endorsements

Ferndale Patch welcomes letters to the editor.

The following was submitted by Ferndale resident, volunteer and former City Council member Helen Marie Weber.

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It seems impressive that so many elected officials in the Ferndale area are listed as endorsers of the CLEAR candidates for the Ferndale School Board. In the city of Ferndale the elected officials are nearly unanimous in their support of the CLEAR slate. Amazing? Or regrettable? Are the City of Ferndale elected officials ganging up on the current School Board members and trying to replace them?

Seven people sit on the Ferndale School Board. It appears the Ferndale Council is maneuvering to unseat those from the current board who appear on the  ballot. In their collective wisdom is it time to elect a new majority? And, if so, why? What is the unspoken agenda of the Council.

Why are they dissatisfied when the School District and Ferndale High School has been making steady progress and Ferndale High School has recently won acclaim for academic improvement.

Do the Ferndale Mayor and the Council need to make this choice for the community? If problems were real, wouldn’t it be natural to meet jointly & explore solutions. Teamwork within the community would be advanced with this approach. Unfortunately, endorsement is an easy path but not always the wiser one. It does not further the healthy partnership needed between the School Board and City Council members.

Helen Marie Weber
Former City Council Member
Ferndale, Michigan