We must pass the Ferndale school levy. Or go backwards.
I’ve lived here 40 years and our institutions and services have improved dramatically over that time. This is an amazingly desirable place to live (just ask any realtor).
Ferndale has a great reputation, in large part, because we have a public education system that has always been supported by the community. And our schools that have earned that respect.
But these are unprecedented times and for the first time since the 1970s, Ferndale failed to pass its normal operations levy in February. Said another way: about a third of our teachers weren’t even alive the last time a Ferndale Schools operations levy failed.
We have a chance to make that right on November 3 and prevent going backwards as a community. And let’s be clear: this is a “scaled-back” ask for our children and dedicated staff: If this levy passes you will actually see a REDUCTION of this portion of your property taxes going forward of around $200-250/year.
“But, I don’t use the public schools, why should I care?” The Mutchler family homeschooled our children up to Running Start. Apart from sports and music, we didn’t use the schools a lot. But we see the BIG PICTURE of living in a great city which necessitates a great school district that still directly and indirectly benefits all of us.
These are strange times. I never worried about school levies. But I am deeply concerned that should this levy fail we would make a terrible statement about ourselves as a community. It will impact the job market, the value of our homes, and most importantly, the quality of education we must give our children.
Jon Mutchler
Ferndale
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