Please provide us with some
biographical information
about yourself.

The Candidates
On The Questions

Bloomfield Hills — Vote for two (4-year term)
Age: 63. CPA and managing principal of Jay Alix & Associates, a
Albert A. Koch
firm specializing in turnaround management of companies in tran-

sition. Married to Bonnie for 32 years. Four sons, two — David,
21, and Brad, 24, — are graduates of the University of Michigan.
17-year-old twins Donald and Bob are seniors at Lahser High School.
Years in the community, 15.

Why are you running for school board?

There have been many changes in public education over the past four
years, particularly in the funding of schools. I believe that Superin-
tendent Gary Doyle is doing a terrific job and believe also that my fi-
nancial expertise and extensive experience as a member of a number
of boards of directors can continue to play an important role in help-
ing Bloomfield Hills sustain our district's leadership and excellence
in education.

2

Farmington Vote for two (4-year term)

Ellen Bouchard

Originally from Philadelphia, I moved to the Detroit area in 1971 to
work in the WXYZ-TV newsroom. Following that, I went on air for
WCAU Radio in Philadelphia as the consumer reporter. But, I missed
Michigan and came "home." I then went back to college, attend-
ing Wayne State University. I received a B.S. in special education
and an M.A. in speech-language pathology. I married Dr. Ken-
neth Bouchard in 1979. He is the chief of audiology for Providence
Hospital and Michigan Ear Institute. Our 16-year-old twins, Adam
and Melissa, and 13-year-old daughter, Dena, attend Farmington
schools. I taught first grade at Adat Shalom Hebrew School. We
are members of both Adat Shalom and Shir Shalom. Currently, I
am in private practice, where my staff and I provide rehabilitation
therapies for those with traumatic brain injuries.

I have been an active volunteer in the schools for as long as my
kids have attended. Now, I want to become directly involved in the
decision-making processes in education. I am a need-to-know and
be-involved person. I ask questions. I seek out answers. I am an
advocate for all kids. They all deserve special attention. No one should
be underserved. I want to be a part of the decisions on educating our
children, choosing the education methods we use, making sure we
use all available research that supports our choices while listening
and responding to the voices in our community. I want to be an in-
tegral part of ensuring that education is equitable for all our students
and that we have the funds to make that happen.

Priscilla Brouillette

I was educated in the public schools of Aurora, 111.1 received a
BA in English from Butler University in 1974. My husband, Bar-
ry, and I have two daughters, Catherine, 12, and Ann Made, 8. Both
have attended Farmington Public Schools since kindergarten.
gained corporate managerial and financial experience while em-
ployed with AT&T and Michigan Bell. From 1984-1993 i was vice
president of Oswego Software, Inc.1 have been very involved with
the Farmington schools for the past seven years volunteering as
one of two parent reps on the North Central Accreditation Com-
mittees at Hillside Elementary and Durickel Middle School, in ad
dition to founding a technology committee and serving as programs
and assemblies chairperson for three years.

I believe in the importance of public education to the future of this
country. I think a well-educated population is essential to our suc-
cess as a democracy, and that free, good public education is the
foundation. I am willing to give the time necessary to understand
complex issues. Also, my business background, understanding of
technology and my volunteer experiences in Farmington schools
have prepared me to make a valuable contribution to the school
board.

Married for 28 years to wife Rachel. Four children, ages 16, 17, 19
and 21. Christine graduates from Lawrence Tech in May 1996,
Lesli attends Western Michigan University and }Catherine, a junior,
and J.T., a sophomore, attend Harrison High School. We have lived
in Farmington Hills for over 10 years. I hold a BS industrial man
agement degree frorn Lawrence Tech. I have been active in Farm-
ington Public Schools for nearly 10 years, serving with such groups
as the East Middle School and Harrison High School Parent Ad-
visory Boards and the district safety committee, before being elect
ed to the school board four years ago. Currently, I hold the position
as board president and have served as vice-president, board sec
retary and have chaired a number of committees.

Four years ago my commitment was to insure that all students at-
tending Farmington Public Schools receive the best education pos:
sible. In doing so, two main items emerged, finances and excellence.
With finances we will continually be at the mercy of Lansing. How-
ever, a clear, easy-to-understand budget, such as what was just
introduced to our board, is essential. The public should have a clear
understanding on how their money is spent. As for excellence, it is
essential that staff and students perform to high standards. We have
schools that have reached Nation Exemplary School status and North
Central Accreditation. We have teachers who have received nation-
al certification along with numerous teachers who have gained lo-
cal, county and state recognition. These efforts just don't happen. It
takes community interest and support, setting of high expecta-
tions and teamwork on the part of the community, administration,
staff and students. These efforts must continue.

Joseph A. Svoke

Oak Park Vote for two (4-year term)
Married, one son. Education: associate's degree liberal arts/busi-
Shirley L. Slaughter
ness administration, OCC; bachelor's degree business adminis-

tration, Cleary College. Founder of New Friends of the Michigan
Central Depot, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving the
train station in Detroit. Researching the history of blacks in Royal
Oak Township in order to repair the story and get it in the history
books.

I want to be a part of the education. Being a parent myself, I have al-
ways had a deep concern for our children. For this reason, I made it
a priority to be involved during my child's school years. I was also mo-
tivated by a sincere desire to give back to my community. This is how
I started the non-profit organization which evolved out of college stud-
ies. So accepting this challenge seemed a natural progression for me.
There is a reason for everything that happens to us. The trick is to rec-
ognize it and seize the opportunities as they are presented to us. Our
children are our future and it is a must that we get involved.

C.

