[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6049385,"mediaKeyId","3511502-f56a231cf5b0604d91188d65f6b04866","parentId",3511502,"title","Board approves Royal Oak Youth Assistance appointments; organization highlights Second Step expansion","audioSeconds",117,"startMs",3333000,"endMs",3450000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3511502-f56a231cf5b0604d91188d65f6b04866&start=3333&end=3450","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3511502-f56a231cf5b0604d91188d65f6b04866/thumbnail_3333000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6049385/Michigan/Board-approves-Royal-Oak-Youth-Assistance-appointments-organization-highlights-Second-Step-expansion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6049385-510d94ae2b5853100c2c8dec472ab49b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196757&Signature=dqkznUNGJwjJG~r9IABlB4WobAzSIXaRiRSjSTk~4346-JxnQkKDHIGvkzdjlkWVafb6JHD6lYjAfgDH3zygrZRJV2VNjOc9ErZMQAuu9JBzFQr~wRvqEx71Ek8n0gOZGj4EJCDSh2rxJd5nPoUAtKnPldNc5PS0sraui0209F8OUx2R2NgprGIFif5jTvbxbGHF-xfGxNkY8CIwrSeSxN-vwFCSDX~jkVt2NwzKPI9e9AYFq-LpZOf3ao67Kh7bKWQSnJ5KYjFbHUTfXqRiLc1QKO5e8gzgoEvrqxjX6e4L6vHw5yIXcobzLJArJ5dJyDXzLouR~kYZm5H~Kz3PbQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Royal Oak Schools","date","2025-05-08T00:00:00Z","article","The Royal Oak Schools Board of Education on May 8 approved a slate of volunteers to serve on the Royal Oak Youth Assistance board of directors and heard about the organization’s Second Step social-emotional learning program.

Trustees voted to approve nominees including Shelley Kemp (chair), Christine Cheubenko, Candy Juilliard and other community members; the motion passed as recorded in the minutes. Shelley Kemp, who was in the audience, spoke and described the Second Step program, which teaches social‑emotional skills and classroom strategies that help children “count to 10” before reacting and to de‑escalate peer conflicts.

Kemp said Second Step has been in two elementary schools previously and that the organization has recently worked to expand the curriculum districtwide to all elementary buildings. She described classroom vignettes and cited a first-grade lesson where students practiced responses to accidental spills and knocks, telling the board she hopes to expand Second Step to K–8 in future years.

Why it matters: Youth Assistance provides prevention and family-support services in partnership with the district and city. Trustees and administrators described the program as an important prevention tool that supports student behavior and classroom climate; district staff said former district teachers now deliver many of the lessons, easing implementation challenges that had limited earlier rollout.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Royal Oak School Board Meeting - May 8th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved appointments to the Royal Oak Youth Assistance volunteer board and heard that the group is expanding its Second Step social-emotional program into all elementary schools.","taxTitle","Royal Oak School, School Boards, Michigan","taxId",38502,"location","Michigan","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6049390,"Parents and trustees press district on staff turnover as athletic director and administrators depart",7405,810000,8215000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3511502-f56a231cf5b0604d91188d65f6b04866&start=810&end=8215","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3511502-f56a231cf5b0604d91188d65f6b04866/thumbnail_810000.jpg","/articles/6049390/Michigan/Parents-and-trustees-press-district-on-staff-turnover-as-athletic-director-and-administrators-depart","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6049390-d4b4e72d07627f88925e9a6023c0342e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196757&Signature=ZYBmXbRhX2thj~FBA6fwCagQxlj3YvDA353QoYynyax9tF-XwTfAKly2ThuH9XycIJJNXohMf2gWKpwJ~s4FKx~25~uX8x71M-WNZYYRJdNSyWh46oZdPIdwXYW3hsNJsBMTD00KljXvCv3XR6MhhZQX7DgNCsJddl0GdT~lYM3TbCxOQlAUk~x3xpeQ~1hiBhatOu9E4TdAmeqbx14-connt4TAld3R5S~BdNCm2pXC~OuJXpkQDKmLBXTN2PCu1borU90f9seiPTDZkn2kll~fYQ38zz4XKGXtOPtDbHXaTra513CGvz~oBS2HLcxJkOV7iF6mVIb9RWZCBw1SPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A Royal Oak parent told the board on May 8 that recent administrative turnover and short tenures for athletic directors and principals raise questions about the district’s climate and long‑term hiring outcomes.

In public comment, Ben Gembus — who identified himself as the parent of students at the middle and high schools — said the district’s athletic director, Mr. Russell, has left after two years and that the district has had four athletic directors in six years. Gembus urged the board to examine staff quality-of-life and retention, and to prioritize long‑term hires during negotiations and leadership transitions. \"If they aren't your priority, you're in the wrong place,\" he said, paraphrasing remarks from a former longtime teacher in his family.

At the meeting’s personnel report, district staff recorded five resignations and four retirements, including longtime teachers and a high-school band teacher with 33 years of service. Director of athletics Daniel Russell accepted a position elsewhere and is listed as a departure in the personnel summary. The board approved the personnel actions as presented.

Why it matters: trustees and the parent framed turnover as a risk to continuity in programs and recruiting. Staff emphasized that many personnel changes are being managed through normal hiring and attrition processes; the board agreed to monitor staffing and to consider the issue during upcoming budget and personnel planning sessions.","A parent urged the board to address staff attrition and administrative turnover; the board later recorded several retirements and a director of athletics departure in the personnel report.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6049395,"Royal Oak Robotics wins state honors, expands outreach with downtown practice space",1310,4107000,5417000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3511502-f56a231cf5b0604d91188d65f6b04866&start=4107&end=5417","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3511502-f56a231cf5b0604d91188d65f6b04866/thumbnail_4107000.jpg","/articles/6049395/Michigan/Royal-Oak-Robotics-wins-state-honors-expands-outreach-with-downtown-practice-space","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6049395-40b43fde13d2ceaf3326da00c1455bbc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196757&Signature=HWOYiNTpcyJehaWuaIJDefhMTl-Zj~47UGY1MVDePqTdZd2ZsHxQGRLn3-Sce52zGLgoFxUfRlaeloURLFizAFJIso-KKq0PDdGv-g8XrjOxKS~DSPQTmLRHpgE0cSct~-EqKVnSYLYII-XEbnDFn6rExN5R7nvgHhJNJgCQM3uZwiVA9DGcLLUpbWsfz~s1YuzoEDSk0STj7zLtTAbt8oLe8nrRPecA6jICBn56BhzjDK~RqiiWjw11YGOWEzB6Ww7aO1~GN0vjtRNOTygEnEl5qExssnwPzku-0Z95H4mdE6aGbZTBrr1BZX6Z1Gctmk0IuRgoeayuAxTqGUx4fw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Royal Oak High School’s robotics team told the district board on May 8 that the program won multiple awards this season and has grown into a district-wide STEM pipeline serving roughly 300 students.

Senior Sarah Milligan described competition successes: Engineering Inspiration at a local Ferndale event, the Impact Award at another local event, and at the Michigan state championship the team won Gracious Professionalism and the Woody Flowers mentor award for a longtime mentor, Zeland. \"This is the first time we've ever won this award on our team, and we're all very proud,\" Milligan said.

Phoebe, a sophomore team member, said the team now has a downtown facility across from the post office that houses a full competition field and storage; the space has helped the team increase practice quality and host other teams. She invited trustees to visit Tuesday practices and to the FLL showcase on May 15 at 4 p.m. at the downtown facility (205 West Second Street).

Mentors and students reviewed outreach programs that helped the team win community awards: K–12 programs (including a pre-K Discover program), districtwide fourth- and fifth-grade FIRST Lego League offerings, an FTC middle-school program, weekend camps, RoboFest (an off-season middle‑school competition) and a virtual \"Royal Robothon\" for elementary students. Team mentors said the district now supports nearly 300 students across those programs, and the newly formed Royal Oak Robotics Foundation (a 501(c)(3)) will build an endowment to sustain growth.

Students demonstrated the current competition robot and described technical features including a swerve-drive base, a multi-stage elevator and an articulating arm used to place game pieces. The team also showed a student-built touchscreen control dashboard used to auto-position the robot during matches.

Why it matters: the program provides hands-on STEM experience and districtwide outreach; trustees praised the mentorship and asked about opportunities to support and visit the new site. The board received an invitation to the FLL showcase and heard that sponsors, alumni and a foundation effort are funding future expansion.","High school team reported state-level awards, a new downtown practice and outreach to nearly 300 students across district programs; the board was invited to the new facility and upcoming FLL showcase.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6049400,"Royal Oak High students lead \"You Matter Week\" as district expands mental‑health work",875,1269000,2144000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3511502-f56a231cf5b0604d91188d65f6b04866&start=1269&end=2144","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3511502-f56a231cf5b0604d91188d65f6b04866/thumbnail_1269000.jpg","/articles/6049400/Michigan/Royal-Oak-High-students-lead-You-Matter-Week-as-district-expands-mentalhealth-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6049400-1b4f2f4aa53b5975f5cfd3cba2f42acc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196757&Signature=Y13E9MkOKEBqtljNP4YLKoc9dziaByxs4BnqcCu72PsW41ypvPtWP96m9UZxmEntMJPKh6If6A34p0MYKUsSDt8hFcLU-WxhU~~34cC6A-~rmpOsu~v-SthpCm1VDAsIb9Af7paiY7bL8c57u5rZMZyx97WgdXjuVahXulrahgkSA-JU5rb5EgVjhsPbahvazJCM3lLaZxIvzcTKGn5--t3thagV4x~MNe7MoD0NybCEboD~Wd73a8X~evO8wqKFxaqPB0q2PhE4RrHTCYtCIMr036c6opDqzfONsigyHwcVQ~CD2mb0z2twiS5m5oHn~ZG7~r6uSGMRdQk4NsJy7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Royal Oak High School student leaders described You Matter Week to the Royal Oak Schools Board of Education on May 8, saying the event prioritized student wellness, peer support and suicide prevention with dozens of school-led activities.

Emily Wade, a high-school social worker, told trustees the week centered social-emotional learning and student agency. \"You Matter Week is the annual event that places student wellness in the forefront,\" Wade said. Student leaders Sophia Forward and Brooke Fox described a student leadership team of 12 that planned 64 events and drew about 850 participants this year, up from roughly 300 last year.

Activities included therapy dogs provided by Alliance of Therapy Dogs and the library’s dog, a meditation room, yoga and Zumba donated by South Oakland Family YMCA, art and journaling sessions, sidewalk murals and a “Take What You Need” wall containing about 2,000 handwritten affirmations. The high school also ran Unified Sports panels that highlighted inclusion with Special Olympics partners and held student and teacher TED‑style talks on topics ranging from autism awareness to imposter syndrome.

Board members praised growth and community support. Trustee Van Heitzman said the chalk art and teacher participation were particularly moving. Trustees highlighted Bloomfield Child and Family Counseling’s presentations on anxiety and depression and noted increased sponsor funding and PTA support this year.

District staff tied You Matter Week to broader district work: a PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) framework at elementary schools, restorative-practices collaborative sessions, and neurodiversity professional development earlier in the year. Student representatives also reported related events across the schools (blood drives, senior activities and IB/Diploma tests) and the board discussed plans to expand neurodiversity and inclusion programming across buildings.

Why it matters: district presenters said the week increased student access to mental-health resources and peer supports and bolstered staff‑led prevention efforts. Trustees asked that successful elements of the week be shared across buildings; presenters invited trustees to upcoming events and noted continuing partnerships with local nonprofits.","Students and staff at Royal Oak High School staged 64 events and drew roughly 850 student participants for You Matter Week; board presentation tied the week to district social-emotional learning, PBIS and other mental-health initiatives.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6049404,"Royal Oak Schools project $4.6 million structural shortfall as state aid plans fall short",1008,6631000,7639000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3511502-f56a231cf5b0604d91188d65f6b04866&start=6631&end=7639","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3511502-f56a231cf5b0604d91188d65f6b04866/thumbnail_6631000.jpg","/articles/6049404/Michigan/Royal-Oak-Schools-project-46-million-structural-shortfall-as-state-aid-plans-fall-short","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6049404-eec527d7d3c3c102d6b37b57b40b7d86/orig.mp4?Expires=1771196757&Signature=SXQYLbLIZWPviGlQxo9H1axmN3a8W4IOkLEZqiSCYQXE3jSWnVQGDPa35VeQSPTdcBPc4TgKc-poKsK0uxSyDORhcC6U41Je4O2tKazj5cnPPSUYLwehugDZnkWQvH~J2Y2ImhAKkrcum5YsR1~3iK~PTHs41QMjwpmQgEmnP5gX-gRmZc74r01ooVXAwctGyI2AVjM1AeXHdr389H9lsjpy1NFSI-eH0hZQtzhFnNR-QpmYILztk5d77x9-tmhrSQhWa7CZHo-XBcULRX3QnzKfmxzCE6PxJiJwj7ZLt5MLj3QrRyC~8wP4-oUTAJs3mZ1yY6yA7gkQ81DKiSbQ4A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Royal Oak Schools officials told the board on May 8 that preliminary state funding proposals and local assumptions leave the district with an estimated structural deficit of about $4.6 million for fiscal 2025–26.

At a board meeting presentation, finance staff identified the main drivers: changes to PA 152 and retirement (ORS) adjustments, the end or reduction of several targeted state grants (including 20f), and continuing local obligations such as health insurance and contracted services. “We really need to put those costs back in,” Miss Abella said when summarizing one-year carryovers the district used to balance the current year.

The presentation said the district used a student count of 4,836 for state-aid modeling and showed three draft scenarios aligned with the governor’s, House and Senate proposals. Under the governor’s proposal the district’s structural deficit would rise to roughly $5.1 million; the House and Senate proposals produce deficits near $4.9–5.0 million. Abella told trustees the district expects the state to finalize the school-aid budget close to July 1 and that Royal Oak will likely set a local budget before the final state figures arrive.

Why it matters: the shortfall affects staffing choices, program levels and capital plans. Abella listed budget assumptions the district is using for planning: flat enrollment, a partial (1.45%) increase in medical benefit caps tied to PA 152 phased in midyear, a net 1.45% reduction in retirement rates (after offsetting adjustments), and placeholder amounts for bargaining‑unit step-only increases while contract negotiations continue. The presentation estimated $580,000 in savings tied to the retirement-rate change but warned other ORS components offset larger reductions.

District staff outlined tools they will use to close gaps: attrition, selective FTE reductions tied to schedule efficiencies (using $160,000 per FTE as a planning figure), and further negotiations with contracted vendors (transportation, custodial). The board and staff discussed federal and state program changes the district counts on, including 31a, 147a, 30D and the discontinuation of the 20f allocation that had been part of recent budgets.

Board members asked about timing and next steps. Trustee Anderson called the outlook “worrisome” and asked for follow-up sessions; Abella said administrators will schedule more detailed planning meetings soon. The presentation also reminded trustees the district is negotiating with four bargaining units; Abella had included only step‑only assumptions pending concluded contracts.

The meeting also recorded several routine finance actions: the board voted to approve the International Academy OCCMA campus budget for 2025–26, to approve the Oakland Schools ISD budget, to award a laser-surfacing contract for tennis courts, to approve replacement kitchen equipment for Royal Oak Middle School and to renew the district’s food-service management agreement with Chartwells. Those motions were moved and seconded and carried as shown in meeting minutes.","District business staff told the board the governor’s and legislature’s initial school-aid proposals leave Royal Oak Schools with a multi‑million dollar shortfall; staff outlined local assumptions, possible staffing changes and a timeline for further planning.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves Royal Oak Youth Assistance appointments; organization highlights Second Step expansion

Parents and trustees press district on staff turnover as athletic director and administrators depart

Royal Oak Robotics wins state honors, expands outreach with downtown practice space

Royal Oak High students lead "You Matter Week" as district expands mental‑health work

Royal Oak Schools project $4.6 million structural shortfall as state aid plans fall short