Ferndale High Students Vote Out Principal in Student Election

Forty-one percent of the student body participated in the special election held at Ferndale High School on Tuesday, October 27. The final tally, certified by the Student Government Association, shows that the challenger, Maya Lin, received 412 votes. The incumbent principal, David Rostova, received 308 votes. Lin will assume the role of Student Body President on November 2.

The election was called after a petition signed by 250 students requested a vote of no confidence in Rostova. The petition, submitted in October 2026, cited concerns over the length of the morning assembly and the allocation of funds for the spring musical. School district records show that student-led elections have been held at the high school every four years since 2010. The previous election, in 2022, saw a turnout of 380 students.

Maya Lin, a junior studying environmental science, campaigned on a platform of shorter assemblies and increased student input in budget decisions. In a statement released to the school newsletter, Lin said she wants to make the morning routine more efficient for students. David Rostova, a senior, conceded the race on Tuesday evening. He told the Tribune that he is proud of the turnout and plans to continue serving on the debate team next semester.

Teachers and staff observed the voting process from the gymnasium bleachers. The vote was counted by a committee of three faculty members and two students. The count was completed at 4:15 p.m. Principal Elena Vance, the adult administrator who oversaw the process, confirmed the results in a memo sent to parents. The memo stated that the new president will meet with the district office next week to finalize the student budget for the second semester.

The student body will vote on two referendums during the next general assembly on November 15. The first proposal asks to extend the lunch period by five minutes. The second proposal seeks to add a fourth year to the required science track. Both proposals were drafted by the new student government council. The council holds its first official meeting on Wednesday, October 28, in the main office.

Local parents attended the counting process in small numbers. The gymnasium hosted approximately 40 adults, including family members and community members. The school's website updated the results in real time. The previous student president, elected in 2024, served a two-year term. Lin will serve a single one-year term under the updated student handbook adopted in January 2026.