Professor Seeks School Post

Dr. Charles L. Votaw, a University professor, today announced his candidacy for a position on the Ann Arbor Board of Education. He submitted the following statement: "Young students are the most valuable resource we have. Indeed in them lies the hope of any future security on this planet. Their education is of the utmost importance. Education is an expensive process. One only fools himself if he believes there can be a major reduction in the amount of money spent toward education. "We must be willing to face the f act that the operation of the Ann Arbor schools is a large undertaking requiring an annual expenditure of 24 million dollars. As chairman of the Election Proposals Committee I have had the opportunity to investígate the financial structure of the school system. I am strongly committed to the fact that financial resources of the school must be spent wisely and economically but in concert with the best possible education that we can buy. "The Ann Arbor school system is behind in its building program and I believe that the bonding issue should be passed. I also believe that the requested operating millage increase is necessary to allow the support of an excellent educational program in the district. "The setting of priorities for the use of the monies available is a difficult task. An educational program involves a student, a teacher and a particular time in history. All three of these elements are tremendously variable. Neither the teachers nor the students nor the social climate is the same today as it was at any past time. The demands on the cational system then are different than they have ever been. "Educational programs must be developed which meet the needs and demands of this time for our present students using the best teaching resources available. Setting priorities of where the available resources should be spent is very complex and involves a decisión which should include the teachers, the students, the administration and the school board. I would welcome the opportunity to work with all personnel of the school system for the setting of priorities and improvement of the educational program. "The personal safety of our students needs to be guaranteed as much as humanly possible. Their property rights should also be protected. Discipline is a complex issue and care must be taken to arrive at a just policy and uniform enforcement of that policy. This is the responsibility of the school board. "Many students find it difficult to study and learn under the present system. We must develop flexible [ grams that will insure that all students have the best educational experience. We must try to help all students recognize the value of the education which is being supplied. We should offer a flexible educational experience to insure that students with varying backgrounds and interests will be able. to reach their maximum potentials. "Wherever any kind of discrimination or inhumane treatment exists, it must be eliminated. It will be necessary for a new school board to carry out the commitment that the present school board I has made to the humaneness report." Dr. Votaw is a professor of anatomy on the U-M Medical School staff, currently serves as director of neural and behavioral sciences and is active in the Admissions and Curriculum Committees j of the Medical School. He received his AB degree at Hope College and his MD and Ph.D degrees at the University of Michigan. Dr. Votaw lives at 2182 Yorktown Dr. and is the father of three children, all attending Thurston Elementary School. Dr. Votaw has been active in the ParentTeacher Organization of Thurston School. He served two years on the citywide Family Life and Health Education Commitee. He is a member of the PTO Council and served as chairman of the Election Proposals Committee which recommended to the school board the ballot proposals for bonding and millage requests.