Clarkston school board candidates were in general agreement on questions posed during a Wednesday, May 26 forum, but tried to make their qualifications the point of distinction.
In anticipation of the Monday, June 14 school election, the League of Women Voters-Oakland Area hosted the event in cooperation with the Clarkston PTA Council at Clarkston High School. The format allowed opening and closing statements and included questions submitted in writing by the audience.
Candidate Barry Bomier was absent, citing work-related conflicts in a written statement read by moderator Emory Bauer.
‘I believe the education of children is one of our most important responsibilities, and I want to be part of making that happen,? Bomier wrote. His experience as a retired army officer and a former Clarkston school trustee give him abilities in crisis communication and strategic planning, he said. ‘My experience and background provide me with unique qualifications and skills for serving on the board of education.?
The panel included incumbent board President Karen Foyteck; Jeffrey Allsteadt and Diane Weller, unsuccessful candidates in 2003; and first-time candidate Joan Patterson.
‘One of the reasons I’m running is to make sure promises made are promises kept,? Allsteadt said, referring to the $84.7 million bond issue approved by voters in 2003. ‘It’s important for the community to know that money is well spent, spent on projects that are needed and spent on projects that help the schools. It’s not a wish list.?
Foyteck said her experience will help the board see the bond construction projects and the reconfiguration of middle school grade to a successful conclusion.
‘I have worked and participated in practically every role you can think of that relates to life in Clarkston schools,? she said.
Patterson, a parent of a fifth grader and a PTO president, cited her experience as a systems analyst, business owner and professional tennis player for a wide variety of administrative skills, including ‘solving problems in a very systematic method’understanding how to control costs while keeping quality programs going? and the understanding that ‘Students come to us with different talents and abilities.?
Weller, calling herself an ‘active parent? who ‘may have been a small reason? for new playground equipment at Pine Knob Elementary School, said she noticed something when she started attending school board meetings a couple years ago.
‘I realized there was no representation of families with young children on the board,? Weller said. With three young children, she cited ongoing plans to group sixth and seventh grades at the current Sashabaw Middle School and eighth and ninth graders at Clarkston Middle School.
‘While I’m completely in favor of the new configuration, I want to make sure plans are thoroughly evaluated before implementation and aspects of the change have the least negative impact on students,? Weller said.

Rating the board…
When asked to give an evaluation of the current board and Superintendent Al Roberts, all were complimentary.
Using a poor-good-excellent scale, Patterson issued a ‘good-plus-plus? but said district communications could use some work.
‘I always think that’s one area where we can improve,? Patterson said. ‘If you want the excellent, we’ll put a little more on the communications.?
Weller’s rating was ‘a tad below excellent, because there’s always room for improvement,? and Allsteadt credited both school board and administration with ‘solid effort.?
Incumbent Foyteck was the only one to give an unreserved evaluation.
‘I think we’ve done an excellent job,? she said of the board, and ‘We’re extremely fortunate to have Dr. Roberts in our community. He’s an extraordinary man with very high principles.?
All four candidates voiced support for programs for academically gifted students, agreed that the federal No Child Left Behind and state Education YES programs are good concepts with problems in application, and said community education programs are valuable for the community.

Pay-to-participate…
All generally voiced ‘reluctance? in the decision to implement a ‘pay-to-participate? athletics fee this fall, but saw no choice under current budget conditions.
‘School districts have been forced to turn to other options to pay for their services and programs,? Allsteadt said. ‘If pay-to-participate puts money toward the athletic program and doesn’t take money from the classroom, I have to support it.?
Foyteck cited a similar need in 1989, and promised to rescind the fee ‘in a very short time.?
Patterson said it will be important to provide scholarships for ‘hardship? cases.
‘No child should be eliminated based on financial hardship,? she said.
A submitted question asked candidates if there should be a school dress code, and all noted there is one already.
‘Certainly it can be made stronger,? Foyteck said, inviting suggestions to the school board.
Allsteadt agreed: ‘Kids have been disciplined for it. Maybe it could be a little stronger. If parents are interested in that topic, bring it to the board. That’s what the board is here for.?
Patterson suggested a student-developed dress code. ‘It might be interesting to see if they’ll take the responsibility,? she said.
The issue of developmental days is still an issue for some parents, but all candidates voiced support, including Allsteadt, who formerly opposed the idea.
‘I question the fashion that they’re done in,? he said, ‘but the gains we have experienced from them, the research here in Clarkston shows the developmental days are a good thing, and should continue.?
Weller said when one of her children was in first grade there was one week in which the class had a substitute teacher three of the five days because of teacher training. Developmental days have greatly reduced the need for substitute teachers and half days, she said.

Handling conflict…
The candidates were asked how they would handle incidents of disagreements with other board members, and all agreed in the principle of agreeing to disagree.
‘You have to express your viewpoint,? Allsteadt said, ‘but you also have to respect the members of the board, because they also are doing what they think is best for the Clarkston school district.?
‘We have been able to have very civil discussions even if we have very differing opinions,? Foyteck said. ‘You should be able to vote no.?
‘Sometimes there’s a point where you do have a different viewpoint and you need to say it, explain it, and maybe try to persuade someone to think the way you do,? Patterson said.
Only about 15 citizens attended the forum, and a submitted question asked how to motivate voters to be more involved.
All agreed the event should have had more publicity, with Weller calling it a ‘last minute? event.
(Editor’s note: Notice of the candidate forum came to The Clarkston News too late for inclusion in the Wednesday, May 19 edition.)
Patterson said ‘coffee chats? have been well used in the Independence Elementary School PTO, and Weller said ‘word of mouth? is the best promotion of any cause or event.

Any differences?
In closing statements, candidates attempted to convince voters they are right for one of the two open school board seats.
‘I would provide a new perspective not currently on the board,? Weller said. ‘I am a team player, yet am not a yes person, either. I’m not afraid to speak out when I disagree with something, yet I will choose my fights.?
‘I believe academics are important, I believe parents need to be our partners in education and I believe communication is key,? Patterson said.
‘I bring continuity and experience to the board,? Foyteck said, ‘and I hope to continue to work with the community in this regard.?
‘I am the community candidate,? Allsteadt said. ‘I believe in representing 8,000 children, not one building, not one program, not one class.?