Superintendent’s Corner: Operating Millage Renewal, Parent U and More

The following information was provided by Royal Oak schools chief Shawn Lewis-Lakin.

Operating Millage Renewal: On November 5, 2013, voters in the Royal Oak School District will vote on an Operating Millage Renewal Proposal. The millages in the proposal have been in place since the approval of Proposal A in 1994 and were last renewed in 2006. The proposal would authorize an 18 mill levy on non-homestead properties; non-homestead property taxes are not levied on owner occupied primary residences. The proposal would also authorize a 3.4 mill hold-harmless levy on principal residences. The 3.4 mill authorization is a reduction from the 3.5030 hold-harmless authorization approved by voters in 2006. Fully one-third of our operating budget is dependent on the approval of this proposal; without local approval for such millage the district will not receive our full per pupil funding from the state. For additional information, including sample ballot language, click here.  For complete election information, including how you can obtain an absentee ballot, click here. Please plan to vote on November 5!

The Royal Oak Support our Youth Task Force is a community organization dedicated to supporting youth in our community and schools. Each year, fundraising by the Support our Youth Task Force provides support for Reaching Higher classes at both our High School and Middle School. On Tuesday, November 5, Jimi’s Family Restaurant, 714 South Washington, Royal Oak, has committed to donate 15% of their proceeds to support Task Force supported programs. Please support this effort by eating at Jimi’s on Tuesday, November 5!  

Parent U!  The Royal Oak PTA Council has planned a FREE parenting fair that will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2013, at ROHS. Come and hear keynote speaker Bob Sornson speak on the topic “Low Stress Parenting for Raising Highly Effective Kids.” Attend one of over a dozen workshop options during the three different workshop session times.   For information, including how to register, click here. 

Safe Talk:  Royal Oak SAFE and Common Ground are presenting a Safe Talk training on November 16, 2013, at the Royal Oak Senior Center.  The Safe Talk training prepares you to identify persons with thoughts of suicide and connect them to suicide first aid resources. For more information, including how to register for this community event, click here.   

Parenting Workshop Series:  Royal Oak Middle School and Royal Oak Youth Assistance are working together to offer a series of workshops for parents.  While the focus of the workshops will be on parenting children in the middle school years, all families are welcome to participate.   The next session will be held on November 21. Program details and registration information are available by clicking here.