Local Trustees Delay Support Of Job School

A resolution supporting tho proposed área vocational-technical education facility which will face Washtenaw County voters Dec. 18 was tabled by the Ann Arbor Board of Education last night so a more speciñcally-worded resolution could be written. It appears unlikely, however, that the revised proposal will receive the unanimous support of the board. Three trastees indicated they would not support the resolution, while another said he was "on the fence." The Washtenaw County Intermedíate School District, which is holding a one-mill election Dec. 18 to finance the facility, proposes to finance and own the center. If approved by the voters, the $5 million facility would probably be located on the Washtenaw Community lege campus ana would be used cooperatively by students from all over the county who want to develop saleable job skills. Trustees William C. Godfrey, Paul H. Johnson and Ted Heusel stated they would not support the vocational facility concept. Godfrey said there is an "endless list of worthwhile causes" today, and he would rather see the ene mili go toward "more urgent" problems facing the Ann Arbor School District. "There is a limit to what taxpayers can afford," he added. Johnson said he is not satisfied the Intermedíate School District is "competent" enougb to run the facility - a statement] which brought immediate disa-l greement from Trustee Hazen J. Schumacher Jr. Heusel also indicated a nega- tive position, saying he could not support a $5 million "compromise." The term "compromise" had been used by Supt. W. Scott Westerman Jr. in describing his view of the facility. He gave qualified support to the center, saying it is the "best arrangement that can now be devised, despite tis faults." Trustees Harold J. Lockett, Charles H. Good, Joseph T. A. Lee and Schumacher expressed support for the facility, with Lee commenting the Ann Arbor School District cannot fulfill the vocational education need by itself. Trustee Richard M. Woodl asked that the resolution of support be re-written so the "benefits accruing to the (Ann Arbor) district'1 would be specifically detailed. : Resolutions of support have been passed by the Manchester, Whitmore Lake and Milan Boards of Education. The Ann Arbor League of Women Voters has also issued a statement in support of the vocational - techtnical facility.