Ramsey Would Do Away with Farmington Schools Lottery

As the father of two young children – a newborn and a 5-year-old – Samuel M. Ramsey III, is very passionate and very concerned about their education.

He decided to run for a seat on the (FPS) board of education to give back to his hometown, bring a fresh perspective, and make lasting changes.

One of those changes is doing away with the lottery system used to fill seats at schools that offer intra-district open enrollment. That's something Ramsey had to deal with when he recently tried to enroll his kindergartner at . There were 32 slots open; Ramsey’s child was number 62.

“It’s very appalling that you have to put your children in a lottery,” Ramsey said. “Every school should have the same services. Every school has to get up to par. That was a horrific impression of our school district.”

As a result, Ramsey enrolled his child in a private school.

While he said he has not been personally involved with the FPS board, he thinks that initiatives are not being strategically implemented.

“I just think we need out-of-the-box thinking,” said Ramsey, who served for two years on the PTA Board. “We need a new set of eyes.”

One of the ways Ramsey wants to push initiatives forward is by going to Lansing and meeting with lawmakers to understand how certain decisions are being made that affect local school districts.

In addition to enhancing communication with state lawmakers, Ramsey wants to expand communication with FPS parents.

“Some parents are involved more than others,” he said. “You have some parents who don’t know the process to get involved in programs. I want to help every parent possible.”

According to Ramsey, helping parents and improving the district also entails providing students with more of a global education, and reviewing the budget to understand how money is being spent, as well as soliciting the participation and assistance of local companies.

“Are we getting corporations involved with the community and the district?” he asked. “We need to have corporate citizenship; we need their help.”

Ramsey has lived in Farmington Hills since 2002. The holder of a doctorate degree in engineering management and a master’s degree in business management and finance, he currently works as an automotive consultant with Chrysler LLC.

“I would bring humbleness and open mindedness to the board,” said Ramsey. “I am looking forward to helping people and becoming a public servant.”

Ramsey is seeking one of two available 6-year terms on the board. Other candidates include Irving W. Ginsberg and Angie Smith, and incumbents Karen Bolsen and Howard I. Wallach.

Candidates for one 4-year term are Murray J. Kahn and David Sampson. Voters will also be asked to vote for one partial term ending Dec. 31, 2015. The only candidate for that seat is George Gurrola. Elections will be held on Nov. 8.