PHOTO BY BILL HANSEN
Introducing The
ALL NEW 1997
,
--1,00,11 1
ASYSMIORS,
by Oldsmobile.
West Bloomfield school board candidates Beth Danto Borson, Robert Lieberman and
Sharon Bader Lipton.
Across The Board
In the West Bloomfield schools race,
all the candidates are Jewish.
JULIE WIENER STAFF WRITER
F
or years, many Jews have
held positions on local
school boards. But in this
year's election in West
Bloomfield, all three school
board candidates are Jewish.
The candidates, including two
\ 1
/-- incumbents, are competing for
two slots. All three are native
Detroiters.
For challenger and first-time
candidate Robert Lieberman,
schools of choice is the central is-
sue in the campaign. Under the
State School Act, every Michigan
school district has to decide pub-
licly prior to July 1 of each year
whether or not to admit students
from outside the district.
This winter, West Bloom-
field's board voted unanimous-
ly to take in 40 out-of-district
students, as a pilot program for
the 1997-98 school year. Ac-
cording to Steve Wasko, coordi-
nator of information services for
West Bloomfield schools, the
board specified that it would
only admit students to schools
/-
and grades in which there is ex-
tra space. No additional class-
rooms will be opened, nor will
additional teachers be hired.
"The school board has said it
will only be 40 children this year
at the elementary level, but I
fear it will be like a virus and ex-
pand," said Mr. Lieberman.
Mr. Lieberman added that
schools of choice will erode local
control over the schools and may
depreciate property values.
"Why would someone choose to
live in West Bloomfield if he can
live in a far less expensive area
and enjoy the benefits of the
West Bloomfield schools?" he
said.
But Sharon Bader Lipton,
currently the president of West
Bloomfield's school board and a
candidate for re-election, favors
schools of choice and says the
program will increase revenue
for the district.
/–
\-1
Ms. Lipton questioned Mr.
Lieberman's assertion that school
choice would reduce property val-
ues. "Voters in West Bloomfield
know that we provide an excel-
lent education for the dollars they
expend," she said. "Letting 40
people into the district is defi-
nitely not going to diminish prop-
erty values."
In addition to opposing schools
of choice, Mr. Lieberman is cam-
paigning on the fact that — un-
like his opponents — he is a
professional working full time in
the public schools. "I believe the
students in the West Bloomfield
district deserve a full-time edu-
cator on the school board," said
Mr. Lieberman, who is an ele-
mentary school counselor in the
Detroit Public Schools.
But unlike his opponents, Mr.
Lieberman has little experience
in the West. Bloomfield schools
and does not have children.
A parent of three, Ms. Lipton
began her involvement in the
schools as an active PTO mem-
ber, when her oldest daughter —
now in college — started school.
She has served on the school
board for 12 years and believes
the major issues her district faces
are funding, pursuit of excellence
in education, defending public
education, and integrating com-
puters and technology into the
learning process.
Like Ms. Lipton, West Bloom-
field incumbent Beth Danto Bor-
son is a mother of three and
began her school board career
through involvement in the PTO.
A school board member for four
years, Ms. Borson believes there
are no "issues" facing the board;
instead, she_sees "goals," which
include improving the curricu-
lum and technology offerings for
students, promoting a positive
image for public education and
ensuring that the construction of
an addition to West Bloomfield
High School goes smoothly. ❑
\IL--
:1.
$39*
32 AVAILABLE AT THIS PRICE
Experience the power of a V-8 Engine, the safety of Dual Airbags and
standard features that you might find in an expensive luxury import.
Even the high quality Compact Disc Player comes standard with every Aurora.
CHOOSE FROM A
RAINBOW OF COLORS:
month
LEASE FOR 36 MONTHS
• Dark Cherry Red Metallic
• Champagne Metallic
• Medium Garnet Red Metallic
• Silver Teal Metallic
• Light Gray Metallic
• Light Adriatic Blue Metallic
• Dark Green Metallic
• Dark Green/Gray Metallic
• Black • White
!Oldsmobile
Demand Better
*36 month closed end lease. Option to purchase at lease end for price to be determined at lease inception. Security deposit, 1st months paymt.
dest. and acq. fee of $400 due at inception. Tax, title plates, due at inception. Lessee resp. for excess wear and tear. 150 per mile over 12,000 per
year. To get total obligation multiply term by paymt.
Glassman Aurora
Telegraph • At The Tel-12 Mall • Southfield
810-354.3300
1-800-354-5558
*Save 3 Ways...
A„.
CAMP MOSHAVA
IN
CANADA
*On our
• Free Slide
best selling
• Generous Allowance packages.
on installation
• Frequent Buyer
Gift Certificate
41°) cs,
Fun, Growth, & Lifelong Friendships
39 Years Young & Growing Strong
ti b. ou
(ENDS MAY 31)
PLAYSETS STARTAT $399
Michigan's Best Selection of
&dotard Pk), Structures.
T I YSHOP
3947 W.12 Mile
Berkley, Michigan
(810) 543.3115
Models on display Mon.-Sat. 10,530 • Fri. 10 - 8
Larry Paul makes
FURNITURE
NEW.
Custom, Restoration,
Lacquering,
Refinishing of new
or old furniture,
antiques, office
furniture, pianos.
For Free
Estimates
(810) 681-8280
• Beit Midrash Program • Rock Climbing • Basketball
• Mountain Biking • Baseball • Drama & Rikud
• Canoeing • Arts & Crafts • Color War
• Swimming Pool • Ball Hockey • Ropes Courses
Please Call, Fax, or e-mail Lawrence Weinberg-Camp Director
Voice: 416.630.7578 / Fax: 416.630.8301 / e-mail: moshava@interlog.com
See our Website @ WWW.CAMPMOSHAVA.ORG
Nwr
-
Nyr
Nir
'NV NV 'VW 'Mr
ARNOLD
mama
Automotive Group Ltd.
Gratiot Ave. at 12 Mile Road, Roseville, Michigan
445-6080
just 25 minutes from the BinninghamlBloomfleld area
off of 1-696"
ti
rn
C)
MERCURY
L INCOLN
445-6000
25