Royal Oak Schools reports new hires, para vacancies and expects modest enrollment increase; spotlights Grow Your Own teacher pipeline
Summary
District staff reported 41 new hires for the year, 10 resignations (including several paraeducators), seven open paraeducator positions, and a projected increase of about 70 students for the Oct. 1 count; the board also heard a presentation on the state-funded Grow Your Own program that helps district employees become certified teachers.
Royal Oak Schools administrators told the board on Sept. 11 that the district hired 41 new employees for the 2025–26 school year, documented 10 resignations (seven of which were paraeducators whose resignations were backdated to June 12), and still has seven paraeducator vacancies to fill. Mr. Wolinski, reporting for staff and student services, said the personnel report presented to the board included 13 recommendations for hire that night (six teachers, five paraeducators, one media tech and one supervisor of secondary special education).
Enrollment trends: Wolinski and human-resources staff said kindergarten and developmental‑kindergarten enrollment is down from 456 last year to 429 this year (a drop of 27), but they noted other indicators suggest overall district enrollment may rise. The district reported being up 51 students through schools of choice (grades 1–8) and said the class that graduated last year was smaller by 33 students than the prior year; the combined signals yielded a preliminary projection the district is up “at least 70 students” on Oct. 1, the official count date that determines much state funding. Wolinski cautioned final counts will be confirmed on Oct. 1 and that districts must document attendance for absent students to secure count eligibility.
Grow Your Own teacher pipeline: The board heard a separate presentation on the Grow Your Own program, a state-funded initiative that allows district employees (typically paraprofessionals and other staff who already hold a bachelor’s degree) to pursue teacher certification with tuition support while remaining employed. A participant who completed the program described it as similar to an apprenticeship: she worked in classrooms while completing coursework and student‑teaching requirements and said the program paid tuition and reduced the need to use paid time off for clinical hours. District presenters credited Mr. Walinski and Ms. Nipper for grant administration and staffing support for employees enrolled in the program. The board was told the district has filled classroom teacher vacancies but still seeks paraeducators and a handful of other roles.
Board action: The board approved the personnel changes presented in the packet by voice vote after a motion and second.
Why it matters: Enrollment levels directly affect state aid and budget assumptions; district staffing—particularly paraeducators who support special education—affects daily operations and compliance with student Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). The Grow Your Own program aims to increase the teacher pipeline from within the district and to smooth transitions from paraprofessional roles into certified teaching positions.
