Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Bond topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ferndale board approves resolution to place 2025 bond proposal on May 6 ballot
Summary
The board approved a resolution to place a bond proposal on the May 6 special-election ballot to fund major renovations and new construction at the middle/high school campus, expand 21st-century learning spaces, and support other facility improvements; the board voted unanimously to approve the resolution.
The Ferndale School Board on Jan. 27 approved a resolution to place a 2025 bond proposal on the May 6 special-election ballot for Ferndale and adjacent townships.
Superintendent Camille Hibler and cabinet staff said the bond would fund a substantial renovation and targeted new construction on the middle/high school campus to create distinct middle- and high-school spaces, add larger science classrooms, relocate and improve the high-school band room (including raising the ceiling to band specifications), and remove portions of the building to widen classroom spaces. The bond would also advance 21st-century learning-space upgrades across elementary buildings and other campus improvements.
District staff said much of this work had been planned under the 2020 bond but was deferred because of post-COVID price escalation; the new proposal would allow the district to complete those deferred projects and new campus priorities. The district reported approval by the Department of Treasury for the plan and said campaign and communications materials would be posted on the district’s website shortly.
The board also heard an informational briefing from Allen Law Group during the meeting on options for project oversight. Nicole Hunter and Sean Frell explained that an owner’s representative provides an additional layer of owner-focused construction oversight — monitoring budgets, reviewing change orders and handling communications with stakeholders — but typically adds costs (often about 1–2% of construction budgets). They suggested that, depending on district needs and project complexity, the district consider a narrower compliance consultant to focus on high-risk contracts and change-order review as a lower-cost alternative. "They could handle interactions with all stakeholders, reducing the complexity of communication," said Sean Frell of Allen Law Group.
The bond resolution passed by roll call vote; board members signaled support for the work and for the district’s upcoming communications and outreach plan.
