Farmington Hills Mayor Wants to Keep Schools 'Ahead of the Game'

Farmington Hills Mayor Barry Brickner came straight from the football field to a July 23 school board meeting, to express his support for a $222 million Farmington Public Schools bond referendum. 

Brickner, who stressed that the City of Farmington Hills has not taken a position, said he favors the bond because "I do concern myself with the sustainability of the community." He included Farmington schools among the "big selling points" for Farmington Hills. 

"We've always had the reputation of being one of the best (school districts) in Michigan," he said. "I want to make sure it stays that way." 

Brickner said both of his daughters graduated from Farmington Public Schools. Younger daughter Shawn is a physician; her sister Kelly learned her profession working with the school district's television channel, TV-10, at North Farmington High School.

Kelly Brickner is now a freelance film editor, who has worked on national television programs and commercials. Barry Brickner said his daughter worked on a special editing machine in high school that was new to the University of Michigan during her freshman year in college. 

"That's where Farmington Schools is ahead of the game," he said. "I want it to stay that way." 

In a later interview, Brickner said he is convinced the bond is needed to address problems with the district's aging buildings and other issues.

"It's more economical to do everything at one time, instead of fixing things piecemeal," he said. "The money they have used for repairs can be used for education." 

He said if the schools start falling behind, the whole city will be affected. "I look at a more holistic view," he said. "We have got to make sure our schools are top-notch ... What's good for the schools is good for the city as a whole."