Michigan / School Boards / Royal Oak School
A parent accused the district of failing to protect an autistic student from sustained bullying and scant special‑education support, saying the family received help only after a public social‑media post and urging the board to enforce district anti‑bullying policy.
Michigan / School Boards / Royal Oak School
Board heard presentations on peer‑to‑peer and link programs at elementary, middle and high school levels that pair students to build friendships, social skills and classroom engagement; district emphasized belonging as a core goal.
Michigan / School Boards / Royal Oak School
The district reported recent and upcoming diversity, equity and inclusion work: neurodiversity professional learning, Michigan Department of Education LGBTQ+ sessions, interfaith Odysseys/Journeys trips, an HBCU college expo and planned staff wellness and JEDI summits.
Michigan / School Boards / Royal Oak School
District leaders presented fall assessment results showing recovering proficiency after post‑COVID declines, increases in reading scores, and lower-than-desired math proficiency on nationally normed PSAT/SAT benchmarks; administrators proposed instructional steps to increase algebra access and embed test‑type problems in classroom practice.
Michigan / School Boards / Royal Oak School
The Royal Oak Schools Board of Education on Sept. 11 accepted a draft independent audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, but auditors said the single-audit portion is pending federal guidance and the district is watching a state budget impasse that could affect state aid timing.
Michigan / School Boards / Royal Oak School
Trustee Jasinski told the board the district will expand secure-storage outreach and make free gun locks available at building offices to comply with Michigan's secure-storage law and the state's Safe Home, Safe Schools public act; the board also discussed volunteer outreach and planned registration notices next year.
Michigan / School Boards / Royal Oak School
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.
Michigan / School Boards / Royal Oak School
The district’s DEI coordinator reported on summer and back‑to‑school activities including the Interfaith Leadership Council Journeys program, Odysseys evening series, and statewide STEM opportunities via DAPCEP; students gave testimonials about multi‑faith learning experiences.
Michigan / School Boards / Royal Oak School
Royal Oak Schools Board of Education President Schucharski presided over a vote Thursday approving detailed planning for a redesign of the Royal Oak Education Center to house Churchill Community High School, the districts Trails program and an expanded early childhood education hub.
Michigan / School Boards / Royal Oak School
After questions from student board members and parents, Superintendent Dr. Joseph Topelski said the district will "seriously evaluate" how it offers college‑readiness curriculum (IB Diploma Programme and AP) and consider changes to improve access and enrollment; he emphasized the district has not decided to end the DP program.