FERNDALE — Ferndale School District voters will have one more chance in May to approve or deny a $21 million construction bond.

The Ferndale School Board decided Thursday night to rerun the same bond issue that was put before voters earlier this month as part of the countywide special schools election.

During the first attempt, about 56 percent of voters approved the measure; 60 percent approval is needed for school bond issues to pass.

The bond would pay for the demolition and reconstruction of Custer Elementary School and the condemned building at North Bellingham Elementary School. It would also pay for security and safety upgrades districtwide.

Both school buildings have been categorized by state guidelines as structurally “poor” and in need of replacement.

Regardless of whether the bond passes or fails this time around, the property tax rate won’t change, according to Mark Deebach, executive director of business and support services. The tax rate will remain flat, due to low interest rates and refinancing debt, Deebach said; approving the bond issue would extend the length of time people pay that tax rate.

The audience members who spoke at Thursday’s meeting had only positive things to say about the bond issue.

“I encourage the board to give those of us in the community another chance to get the word out,” said Greg Ebe, a parent from the Custer area. “I think we owe it to (the students and staff) to give them a safe and conducive atmosphere to learn in.”

Ferndale was one of four Whatcom County school districts that had bond issues fail this month, but it is the only district rerunning the issue this spring.