Schools

Superintendent Thanks Royal Oak School Board Members

Superintendent Shawn Lewis-Lakin invites members of the community to take a moment and thank a school board member during School Board Recognition Month.

This following letter was written by Royal Oak Schools Superintendent Shawn Lewis-Lakin:

Dear Royal Oak Citizens,

January is School Board Recognition Month.  Across Michigan, over 4,000 volunteers serve on the boards of community-governed schools.  It is my honor to recognize the hard work of our Royal Oak School Board members. 

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Our Board of Education, and the hundreds like it across the state, preserve and strengthen the core of our democracy, community-governed public education.    

Key leadership, policy, and budget priorities are established for our schools by those of our neighbors whom we elect to represent Royal Oak’s expectations, aspirations, values, and history. This is democracy in action.

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I invite members of the community to take a moment and thank a school board member.  Whether by writing them a note, making a call, sending a message, or simply saying “thank you” when you see them in the community, please join me in expressing gratitude to our Royal Oak School Board members. 

The members of our Royal Oak Board of Education are:  


  • Michael Hartman, a board member since 2002
  • Gary Briggs, who has served on the board since 2003
  • Deb Anderson, elected in 2006
  • Lisa Bradford, first elected in 2006
  • Marty Cardamone, a board member since 2009
  • Carrie Beerer, first elected in 2010
  • Jeff Brinker, a board member since 2010

As a Royal Oak Community member myself, I say “thank you” to each and every one of them.

Shawn Lewis-Lakin
Superintendent of Schools

Send your letters to the editor to judy.davids@patch.com for consideration.


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