Ferndale Community Members Speculate on School Bond Vote Outcome

Residents in the Ferndale School District will vote today on the proposed school bond.

would fund infrastructure updates such as asbestos removal from , heating and cooling systems for buildings and a kitchen area for

has been advocating for the bond, calling it a "no fluff" proposal that includes only the most-needed school improvements. There is no organized group opposing the bond, however Ferndale resident Tom Gagne has written editorials against it saying the district has no plan for improving school performance and failed to use past bond dollars appropriately.

Gagne and a citizens group representative .

Ferndale Board of Education member Katrina Collins said the bond is a good cause and she believes the community will support it.

“I definitely have a good feeling,” she said. “We have lots of support.”

Volunteers from Citizens for Quality Schools plan to be at starting at 6 p.m. tonight.

Ferndale parent and Citizens for Quality Schools organizer Barb Landry, who serves on the PTA and other community groups, said she feels good about how the group has worked to get the word out about the bond.

“I think that we have tried very hard to make sure all residents are informed,” she said.

Landry said the volunteers who have gone door-to-door have found great support among residents, but pointed out that they don't try to debate people. If someone says they don't support the bond, she says they tell them “thank you” and move on.

“We're not going to debate,” she said, adding that she is optimistic about the vote outcome. “I think the bond will pass.”

Kate Baker, a former City Council member and current member of the Planning Commission, says she doesn't like to speculate on election outcomes but thinks the citizens group has done well informing residents about the need for the bond.

“I think they've done a great job getting the word out,” she said.

Baker said she thinks it is impressive that the group has rallied people of all ages – including students, young people with no children, families, and senior citizens – to get involved.

Ferndale Police Chief Tim Collins, chair of the citizens group, said last week that he feels “cautiously optimistic” about the vote.

“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."

Gagne said he isn't sure what to expect today.

“I don't have a read on whether it will pass,” he said. “I still see more for-sale signs than I do vote-yes signs. I get emails and phone calls from folks opposing the bond.”

Ultimately, he said, the vote “like most, will be based on emotion," but that especially in light of the current market, people "may vote in favor of their wallets, and in favor of not having taxes be a drag on their ability to sell their homes.”

“In the end it will come down to who shows up to vote, and what they decide to do when they fill-out their ballot,” he said. “I suspect CFQ will have a well-organized get-out-the-vote campaign. They have smart people on the committee and their organization is fantastic.”

Helen Weber, a Ferndale resident and former City Council member, said she is hopeful about the bond passing.

“I'm optimistic that it will pass," she said on Sunday.