Meet The Candidate

W tri V Clarence E. Dukes, president of me Ann Arbor Board of Education, is a candidate for re-election as a trustee on June 9. The administrative manager for .research and business affairs at tjie University's School of Dentistry submitted the following statement: "I originally sought the post on the basis of my background and experience, as a parent concerned about the educational opportunities for my children and all other young people in this community, but also as a taxpayer with a sincere interest in assuring that we have a quality school system that we can af ford. I still feel these are sound motives for seeking the office; however, I have a major additional reason. I am convinced that our I school system needs a further period of stability and continued improvement. I firmly believe that my cumulative experience and positive records as a board member will help provide the needed r stability and continuity." "Three years ago, I chose to run for the school board as a long-time Ann Arbor resident, former Ann Arbor high school student, and father of four children in the Ann Arbor school system. I I had then and still do have a very person1 al concern for Ann Arbor schools and a I commitment to the task of solving their I problems." 1 "Ann Arbor has many good schools, I numerous exceptional programs, an out; I standing superintendent and many qualiI fied and dedicated professional and nonI professional staff serving our young peoI ple. However, there has been a serious I decline in the state allocation of tax dollars and an inflationary erosión of our loI cal revenues. This forced cut-back over I several years has left its toll. In my I opinión, the superintendent and the I board have done a magnificent job durI ing these difficult years, but additional I revenues are essential. Dukes outlined three mairi issues: "First, the alternative to voting yes on millage proposals A, B and C would be another drastic decline leading to the immediate further deterioration of our school system. This endorsement is not lightly given for I have a good idea of what is involved. During my first year on the board, I had the traumatic experience yet stewardship responsibility of cutting $800,000 out of an established budget. I'm hopeful that the voters will take a critical look at the educational needs and arrive at the same conclusión. "Secondly, I helped write and still strongly support the student discipline policy imposed by the board which is intended to protect each student's right to a quality education. This policy must be consistently administered with firmness and fairness. "A final concern is in the area of curriculum. Significant steps have been en to restore coordination to this vital I function. I would like to see a continued I improvement which can only occur in a I stable environment." During his term, Dukes has been I tive in such school board matters as: Ann Arbor Board of Education I dent, 1974-75; vice-president, 1973-74; chaired committee to select I ent; only trustee member of central finance committee, and member of board discipline policy committee (1972). Washtenaw School Officers Association: vice-president in 1974-75; program chairman in 1973-74. Michigan Association of School Boards: chairman of ad hoc school finance I form committee; member of legislative I committee since December, 1972, I ber of organizations and objectives I mittee; chaired ad hoc committee to I view mandatory special education I posed rules and regulation (1973), and I several other special assignments. Michigan Education Forum (state I catión groups meet and share common I concerns) - represent MASB at these I meetings. Educational Legislative Advisory I Council (legislative advisors to Michigan I , Department of Education) - represent I M.A.S.B. at these meetings. Washtenaw Intermedíate School I trict: served as Ann Arbor Board of I catión elector in 1974 and selected again I in 1975 to vote for WISD trustee I I didate(s). K Dukes, 43, lives with his family at 816 Sunrise Ct. and has been a resident of I the Ann Arbor area for 30 years. He has I been active in such organizations as: I Huron Valley Toastmasters Club - I held offices including president, area I f governor and district public relations ofI ficer. Ann Arbor Kiwanis Club - active parI ticipation as member and chairman of I club committees and projects; served as I a member of the board of directors. I University Civic Club - served as proI gram chairman and president. I Chamber of Commerce - member of I education committee since fall of 1973. In his capacity at the University's I School of Dentistry, Dukes is principally I concerned with the supervisión and cenItralized administraron of all phases of I federal and non-federal research, trainling and other sponsored programs. He is ■ also involved with all phases of business Band financial analysis, cost accounting, Ibusiness systems and procedures, and inBdustrial accounting. He has been em■ ployed at the School of Dentistry for 16 i ■years.