The Royal Oak Schools Board of Education on July 10 ratified a three-year master agreement with the Royal Oak Education Association, approving a collectively bargained contract effective July 10, 2025, through July 9, 2028.

The ratified agreement covers 386 employees represented by the Royal Oak Education Association, the district’s largest bargaining unit. The board approved the resolution by voice vote after brief remarks from negotiators, district staff and public commenters.

The agreement was presented to the board by Mr. Wollensky, the staff member overseeing staff and student services, who recommended approval. "We were able to work in some other things to the contract, which I think are mutually beneficial," Superintendent Marybeth Fitzpatrick said during remarks praising the settlement. "Not only do we have a three-year contract, we have a three-year calendar for our community, for our teachers and and families." The board then moved to ratify the tentative agreement.

Grant Dalton, who identified himself as an executive director and a member of the bargaining team, addressed the board during the public-comment portion and described the bargaining process as collaborative. Dalton said negotiators began their talks on March 4 and read a list of shared "core values," including "commitment, protecting families, kindness, appreciation, mentorship, integrity, [and] being fiscally responsible," which he said both sides endorsed during bargaining.

Trustee Cook moved the resolution to ratify the "collectively bargained and tentatively agreed upon master agreement with the Royal Oak Education Association effective 07/10/2025 through 07/09/2028." Trustee Jasinski seconded the motion. The board indicated assent by voice; the president called for any opposed and stated, "Motion carried."

Board members and district officials repeatedly described the negotiations as cooperative and credited both district staff and association leaders for a smooth process. Trustees Van Heitzman and Wicky each expressed appreciation for the work of negotiators and the perceived collaborative tone of talks. Wollensky and Fitzpatrick said the contract contains provisions beyond wages — including a multiyear calendar and other conditions intended to support district initiatives and staff retention — and that those items were part of the joint goals during negotiations.

The board’s action completes the board-level ratification of the tentative agreement. The district and association representatives who negotiated the agreement were acknowledged at the meeting; Carrie Derminer, identified as the president of the Royal Oak Education Association, was recognized in the audience during the discussion.

The board and administration framed the contract as an effort to attract and retain staff amid continuing state and federal funding uncertainty. Superintendent Fitzpatrick told the board she was proud of the collaborative effort and noted that the district had prepared for negotiations since the previous fall.

The board’s approval on July 10 allows the district to implement the agreement according to the effective dates listed in the resolution. The meeting record does not include a roll-call tally in the transcript; the board adopted the resolution by voice vote and the president announced the motion carried.