Small business owner and community activist Alicia Douglas has announced her candidacy for the Livonia Public School Board.

Douglas, who is the owner of ProPromotions and a graduate of Franklin High School, hopes to bring her well-known enthusiasm, business acumen and knowledge of the local community to the position of board trustee.

“The Livonia Public School system has made a difference in the lives of three generations of my family,” said Douglas. “I want to give back to the school system that has benefited me so much and help continue the tradition of excellence for the benefit of future school children,” she said. Douglas plans to focus on several key issues that are impacting Livonia and other school districts.

Ensuring a safe school environment is one of the issues that Douglas would like to address as a board trustee. “School safety is a major concern to me. As a mother of three daughters, I know the concerns parents have about school safety. Parents, teachers, administrators and Liaison Officers must continue to work together to make a healthy and safe environment the norm,” Douglas said.

“I will also focus my efforts on enhancing the lifelong learning opportunities available to Livonia’s students and residents. In a constantly changing work and social environment, we must all continue to learn new skills and pursue increased knowledge. I believe programs such as the Jackson Early Childhood program, Enrichment Centers and Adult Education series provide this opportunity and I would like to see these enhanced for the benefit of our residents and the community as a whole,” she continued.

“As a small business owner, I appreciate the business-like approach taken with school finances. Proposal “A” and increased competition have made the need for fiscal responsibility paramount. We must be prudent in the use of our resources so that we can continue to offer a quality education for future generations of children. I believe that the close working relationships that have been fostered with the business community also helps us to operate in a more business-like manner and provides other outstanding benefits for students as well,” she said.

“Community support will continue to be critical for the success of the school system and I would like to see our communications program strengthened. We must tell our story to as many persons as possible and continually seek out the input of our many constituencies. This will ensure that we remain focused on the needs of our children,” Douglas said.

In addition to running her own home-based business, Douglas is the full-time mother of Kayla (6), McKenzie (4) and Natalie (2). Douglas and her husband Jim live in south Livonia where she is active as a Board member of the McKinley Elementary School PTA, Jackson Preschool PTA and Special Olympics. She is also lends her talents to the Livonia Family YMCA where she participates in the Parent Child Program, as an officer with the Indian Maidens and Invest in Youth Auction. She is also a past member of the Bentley Task Force.

Prior to forming her own business, Douglas served as Event and Marketing Director for the Livonia Chamber of Commerce. She had previously served as Marketing Director for Paragon Steakhouse and the Marriott Corp. after attending Ferris State University.

Her other community involvement includes serving as a member of the Livonia Chamber of Commerce and its Quality of Life Committee; Exchange Club member; Livonia Community Prayer Breakfast committee member, and Livonia Family YMCA Partner in Youth Committee.

Douglas has demonstrated her leadership skills by serving as a past Co-chairperson of the Farmington Hills Police Benevolent Association; as chairperson of the Community Opportunity Center “Celebrating Inspiring Heroes”; as chairperson of the Suburban Republican Women, “Tribute to Women”; and as Ice Cream Social Chairperson for both the Jackson Early Childhood Center and St. Edith Catholic Church. She currently serves as Chairperson of McKinley’s PTA Community Relations Committee and chaired their recent Hop n’ Bop Family Night. In addition, Douglas has taught Sunday school at St. Edith’s and served as a Special Olympics Coach.

Her candidacy has already generated excitement throughout the community and earned her several endorsements. “I appreciate the encouragement I have received for my candidacy so far and hope to gain the support of all voters in the June election,” Douglas concluded.