$21 Million Extra Debt

Starting May 3, ballots will be sent to registered voters to consider the $21 million bond issue. This money will be used to demolish historic Custer elementary school, and replace it with a brand new school, and demolish and replace one concrete building in North Bellingham elementary school.

Change Ferndale does not support this bond for the following reasons:

1) In 2006, a $3.6 million bond was approved by the voters to improve Custer elementary school. Without voter approval, the Ferndale School District (FSD) decided to use $ 1 million on the design plans for a new school according to the district's data.

2) Custer elementary is a historic landmark built back in 1936 by the Work Progress Administration (WPA an organization created to combat the high unemployment during the great depression), and the identity of the Custer community. To tear it down would damage the community by removing a testament to an important part US history, and rob the next generations of part of their heritage FOREVER.

3) According to the precinct by precinct results a majority of Custer residents did not support the $21 million bond, ran in March 2008, to replace their school.

4) The school chose to re-run the March bond request, which failed to achieve its 60% majority. The May bond is the same as the March bond. The FSD has ignored the wishes of the district voters, which constitutes a failure on the part of the FSD to respond to the wishes of the voters.

5) The new Custer school would increase enrolment slots at the Custer elementary school by 30-40 slots. We believe this is too little progress for $21 million.

6) Bad economic timing makes this increase in debt for our community a foolish and dangerous proposition. Land owners will pay for it with their property taxes, those renting property will pay for it because landlords will pass the tax to their tenant's, and the community will have an even harder time providing its residents with affordable housing. We believe that this expensive bond will prevent some families from their dream of home ownership, and perhaps drive families out of their homes.

7) The level of deceit (exhibited in point 1) combined with the arrogant nature of the FSD (exhibited in point 4) and their total lack of regard for the people their policy will be impacting (exhibited in points 2 & 6) make Change Ferndale sceptical of entrusting $21 million of our tax dollars to their pet project.

For these reasons we urge a NO vote on the May ballot for the $21 million bond issue.

Our position is that renovation, not demolition, will be both a cost effective and proactive way to ensure the children have a safe school and the taxpayer is not burdened with wasteful and harmful policy.

Until the FSD can provide these changes we urge a NO vote on the $21 million bond issue.

Thank you for your interest.