Exciting Possibilities

Dear friends,

The deadline to cast our ballots regarding the Ferndale school bond is nearing.  As such, I want to share that it has been an honor to serve on the bond committee.  Not only have I learned a tremendous amount about our school district, but I’ve met truly lovely people who care deeply not just about the future of Ferndale students, but the community as a whole.

Indeed, it’s exciting to think we could possibly be on the verge of building a new high school that would benefit our entire community for generations to come.  And while the increase in property taxes are necessary for progress, it’s comforting to remember that the benefits gained will last far longer than the twinge of discomfort felt in individual pocketbooks.

Though the majority agree that a new high school is badly needed, some refuse to support the bond as written.  But as the Spanish artist Salvador Dali once said, “Have no fear of perfection, you’ll never reach it.”  As perfection is only in the eye of the beholder, what one person yearns for is another person’s complaint, and so forth.  A written bond pleasing everyone will simply never exist.  So do we, as a community, continue to debate the bond verbiage, the school dimensions, the turf of the playing fields, or the size of the auditorium?  Or do we find a way to unite together for the sake of our children’s educational future, indeed that of an entire community, and celebrate the possibilities a new high school would bring?

It’s safe to say most of us drive a car that was built within our lifetime.  Some of us drive a newer car sporting a prettier paint job and better treads.  A new car might require a larger payment up front, but over the long run it pays for itself much quicker thanks to better fuel economy, technological advances, and safety features.  The older model produces greater toxic emissions, requires costly custom repairs, and is much less reliable.  In the end, the newer car costs less and offers greater advantages.  Which would you rather see our children in?

I understand that the memory of past mistakes remain fresh to some.  But to hold our children’s future hostage for decisions made in years past would be a second mistake lasting far longer than the first.  Benjamin Franklin once said, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”  Allowing our community to unite and move forward with the school bond not only offers a solid education for our youth, it also holds the opportunity to breathe new life into the Ferndale economy, bearing gifts for everyone.   

So as you prepare to cast your vote regarding the Ferndale school bond, I invite you to join me in looking toward a better future not just for our students, but for our entire community. 

Sincerely,

Lynda Fell

Bond Committee Chair