Francis E. Keith, D.D.S --Francis Keith is a dentist in Des Moines who lives in the North High School District where he graduated in 1948. In the 1970's there was turmoil in Des Moines schools. Two problems faced the School Board and Administrators. Enrollment was declining, and there were plans to close North High School because it had the smallest enrollment. At the same time, a Federal mandate to desegregate the Des Moines schools was a burden. There was a significant minority population at North. If North were closed, the enrollment at the other schools would go up. At the same time, the minority population could be split to attend at least two other high schools, reducing the ratio.
Francis had children as students at North. He became chairman of the School Faculty-Student-Parent Advisory Council (a sort of PTA). There had not been a parent group for a while, I think, to lead the struggle to keep North open. A North High community organization called NCCO (North Central Community Organization) was formed. It was the first of many neighborhood organizations. Some members attended every school board meeting then. NCCO challenged a ruling of the Des Moines School District to the Iowa Board of Education. The parents lost this battle. Francis was the first secretary and then the president of NCCO for many years. Ultimately, the parents won the war. North High is still there.
At the same time, there was interest in forming an alumni organization. An organizational meeting was held, the group deciding to move ahead and selecting Francis as the president elect. At the end of the president's term, he became the second president of the North High School Alumni Association.
Summary: Chairman of the North High School Faculty-Parent-Student Committee (a PTA-like committee) 1973-1977; a founder and past president of the North High School Alumni Association; 1978-79; North High School Alumni Association Board; 1976-1986; Hall of Fame Induction Award; 1990.