School Board Introduces New Executive Team, Athletic Ad Initiative

Thursday night's Royal Oak meeting was a series of introductions as it ushered in a new executive team and unveiled a plan to sell advertising rights at the district's athletic facilities.

New Budget Director Rick West and Superintendent Shawn Lewis-Lakin join executive director Cheryl Goodgine on the team.

The superintendent began his remarks with an announcement: As of Wednesday, he is officially a Royal Oak resident. Lewis-Larkin, who was the superintendent in Manchester before taking the Royal Oak position, said moving trucks have come and gone and he is "living out of boxes" for the time being. 

In his first address to the school board, Lewis-Larkin said he was excited to be in Royal Oak and has already met with many members of the instruction leadership team. He's also met with City Manager Don Johnson and attended Mayor Jim Ellison's State of the City address at the new Emagine theater.

Residents can look forward to "Community Coffee with the Superintendent." Lewis-Larkin said he wants to get to know the community "to get a good sense of its expectations."

West discussed an athletic advertising initiative that has the blessing of Lewis-Larkin. Working with Athletic Director Brian Gordon, the district will begin soliciting advertising for sports facilities.

Other Highlights

Director of Instructional Services & Staff Development Sarah Olson and ROHS Principal Michael Greening gave a presentation on the high school . Olson showed graphs that indicate Royal Oak High School is at the top of the county in MME testing, and showing steady improvement.

Greening credited strong tutoring programs, the Homework Club, reading initiatives that focus on nonfiction and a schoolwide emphasis on meeting the needs of students with disabilities for the high marks. "I am justifiably proud and excited that test scores have gone up," he said.

You can review the test scores on the Michigan Department of Education website.

Mark Your Calendars

• "Back to School" packets will be mailed the first week of August.
• Registration/schedule pickup for is Aug. 29-30.
• Registration/schedule pickup for is Aug. 24-26.
• First day of school is Sept. 6.

The enrollment office at the , 1123 Lexington Blvd., is open every Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. to assist residents.