Published: May 12, 2008 11:47 pm            

FSHS students push bond

Youths seek adult support

FAIRMONT — A group of Fairmont Senior High students hope adults will get out and vote to pass the school bond.

The school bond is on today’s ballot.

For John Leon and Aaron Pilkington, both juniors at FSHS, working to encourage adults to pass the school bond is another step on the political ladder.

Recently, the two ran against each other for junior class president. Leon won the race, and Pilkington was elected class treasurer. Pilkington is also working on creating a Young Republicans chapter at the school.

Both youths asked their friends, starting with members of the student council and other students interested in politics, to help them promote the bond.

“I think it’ll revamp Marion County,” Pilkington said.

“Our schools are our heart,” Leon said. “We must keep that heart beating.”

The two have organized the group of about 20 students into pairs. The pairs will be stationed at different places throughout Fairmont with signs encouraging passers-by to vote for the bond today.

Leon said he hopes seeing young people enthusiastic about the bond will encourage voters to approve it.

“We hope people see our enthusiasm and vote to pass the bond,” Leon said.

Pilkington said the group represents a cross section of students at FSHS.

“This bond will affect us, and we want it to pass,” he said.

The bond is part of a $61.7 million package to improve Marion County schools. The plan would address needs at 13 schools, from upgrades at all three high schools and nine free-standing gymnasiums at elementary schools to a new middle school for the East attendance area, which would replace the current East Fairmont Junior High School.

Of that $61.7 million, $20.2 million is a grant from the state School Building Authority. The rest, $41.5 million, would come from the bond.

Even though both of their fathers are members of the bond committee, Leon and Pilkington said the bond is something they both believe in.

Pilkington’s father, Fairmont General Hospital CEO Albert Pilkington, said he’s proud of the boys’ efforts.

“These are some of the best high school kids in the area,” he said.

Albert Pilkington said he’s in favor of the bond, and he hopes voters will pass it to move the county forward.

“We won’t move forward until we vote to do it together,” he said. “We can’t wait for government to do it for us. If these kids see that, why shouldn’t adults?”

E-mail Katie Wilson at kwilson@timeswv.com.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.