The list started with six; now it is down to five.
It will still be a contest, however, as candidates prepare to campaign for two four-year seats on the Clarkston Community Schools Board of Education.
Having filed sufficient nominating signatures by the Monday, April 12 deadline, Anna Anderson withdrew her name from consideration before the Thursday, April 15 deadline.
The five remaining candidates say they will attempt to persuade voters to elect them in the Monday, June 7 election.
? Jeffrey Patrick Allsteadt was an unsuccessful candidate in the 2003 school board election. A judicial law clerk, he is involved in a long list of local service groups and this past year joined the Clarkston Athletic Boosters.
‘I like kids, and I like working with kids,? Allsteadt said. ‘I like to serve, and I think the school board is the next avenue for serving.?
While there are many issues affecting the Clarkston school system, Allsteadt said he will stress his qualifications as an unbiased representative.
‘I am the community candidate,? he said. ‘My allegiance is to all 8,000 kids and all 10 buildings.?
? Barry Bomier served on the Clarkston school board from 1994 to 1996. He is a former officer of the U.S. Army and is currently program manager for military products for Michelin.
Bomier believes his experience can be helpful as he attempts to return to the board.
‘We’ve all seen and read about the financial crisis out of Lansing,? he said. ‘We’re talking about some serious financial issues.?
While he also has concerns about academics and the environment of education, Bomier said his biggest concern is ‘crisis management? and ‘strategic planning? in finance.
? Karen Foyteck is a 12-year incumbent and the current school board president. A former teacher of English and Spanish, she owns North Oakland Office Services and believes that position gives her great flexibility to handle school-related tasks.
‘We have a lot of irons in the fire,? she said, including the current bond building renovation projects and the reconfiguration of grades 6 through 9 in the current middle school buildings. ‘I would very much like to see that through.?
Foyteck found it difficult to pinpoint one issue above all others, but said she wants to ‘continue fiscal responsibility? and ensure educational opportunities for all students.
? Joan Patterson has a son in fifth grade at Independence Elementary School, has been a school volunteer for two years and served as president of the school PTO. She is a former systems analyst with an MBA from Oakland University and a certified tennis pro.
Patterson believes her background will help her analyze problems and find solutions. She is especially concerned about better utilizing the skills of parents to support the school program.
‘We’ve got such a valuable resource in our parents,? she said, and she has a desire to ‘ask them to do more than arts and crafts.?
Issues such as MEAP tests and the federal No Child Left Behind program call for even more cooperation between the school district and parents, she said.
‘They are partners in all we do,? she said. ‘The communication is really key.?
? Diane Weller is also making her second attempt at election to the Clarkston school board.
A part-time accountant, Weller has three children attending Pine Knob Elementary School.
‘I really feel we need someone on there who has young kids,? she said, noting issues such as the 6-7/8-9 grade configuration.
‘We have a lot of changes ahead,? she said. ‘My children will go through those grades. I have a big interest in how those buildings are set up and run.?
Weller said she has been a regular attendee of school board meetings and has followed the issues. She wants to ‘make sure the bond dollars are spent the way they’re supposed to be spent? and she says her attention to past details will give her a jump start as a board member.
‘I know a lot of the details too many people do not,? she said.
The Monday, June 7 school election ballot will also include a proposal asking voters to restore the full 18-mill ‘non-homestead? property tax, levied on business, commercial, rental and second-residence properties.