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Royal Oak board approves community service and food-service fund amendments and employee education benefit
Summary
The Royal Oak Schools Board of Education approved amendments to the Community Service Fund and Food Service Fund and adopted a Section 127 employee education assistance plan at its Feb. 13 meeting.
At its Feb. 13 meeting the Royal Oak Schools Board of Education approved three finance items brought forward by district staff.
The board approved Community Service Fund Amendment No. 1 to reflect changes from the 2023–24 audited numbers, an increase in Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) allocation tied to converting tuition preschool classrooms to GSRP classrooms, and a general-fund transfer of about $1.2 million to subsidize the fund. Finance staff explained that facility costs for the Churchill Alternative High School are recorded in the community service fund and that revenue changes include a reduction in tuition preschool offset by increased county GSRP allocation and start‑up grants.
Trustees then approved Food Service Fund Amendment No. 1. The district reported higher participation and reimbursement rates, additional revenue and planned capital work (including recent equipment replacements and servery upgrades). Food-service staff noted corresponding increases in food and labor expenses and that fund balance rules for federal programs limit retained operating reserves.
Finally the board approved a Section 127 educational assistance plan—an internal employee benefit plan enabling eligible staff (primarily teachers and administrators) to receive up to $5,250 per year in tax‑favored tuition or student‑loan repayment assistance. The district noted legal counsel drafted the plan and there is no direct cost to the district other than counsel fees.
Motions and votes: Community Service Fund Amendment was moved by Trustee Van Heitzma and seconded by Trustee Alexander; Food Service Fund Amendment was moved by Trustee Cook and seconded by Trustee Wiecky; the Section 127 plan was moved by Trustee Jasinski and seconded by Trustee Cook. All three motions carried by voice vote with no roll‑call tallies recorded in the transcript.
Implementation follow-ups: The superintendent and finance staff will update budget documents and communicate operational details to affected programs; the Section 127 plan will be administered per legal counsel guidance.
