Meeting Agenda
1. OPENING / CALL TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3. STANDING APPROVAL ITEMS
3.1. Acceptance of Agenda
3.2. Approval of Minutes
4. PROCLAMATIONS
4.1. Principals Month
4.2. Indigenous Peoples' Day
5. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
6. RECOGNITIONS / PRESENTATIONS / REPORTS
6.1. Recognition of Courtney Votta, Michigan Art Education Association's 2027 Middle Level Art Educator of the Year
6.2. New Employee Presentations
6.3. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
6.4. Student Representatives to the Board
7. COMMUNICATIONS
8. *CONSENT AGENDA (Personnel / Instruction / Business)
8.1. *Payment of Expenses
8.2. *Appointment of a Royal Oak Representative to Oakland Schools Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)
8.3. *Approval of Administrative Contracts
8.3.1. Katherine Abela 2026–28 Contract
8.3.2. Patrick Wolynski 2026-28 Contract
8.3.3. Joseph Youanes 2026-28 Contract
9. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION / ACTION
9.1. Superintendent
9.1.1. Updates and Remarks

9.2. Curriculum & Instruction

9.2.1. Spring 2026 MI Student Voice Survey Analysis
9.3. Finance/Facilities and Bond
9.3.1. Oakland Elementary Addition Contract Award
9.4. Staff and Student Services 
9.4.1. Personnel Changes
10. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
11. BOARD COMMENTS / LIAISON REPORT
12. ADJOURNMENT  (approval by consensus)  
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting
Meeting: October 8, 2026 at 6:30 PM - Regular Meeting
Subject:
1. OPENING / CALL TO ORDER
Subject:
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Subject:
3. STANDING APPROVAL ITEMS
Subject:
3.1. Acceptance of Agenda
Description:
The President asks for approval of the agenda, including all attached documents, which may be accessed on the Royal Oak Schools website. Are there any additions or deletions?  

"The agenda is approved as presented."
OR
"The agenda is approved with the following additions/deletions" by consensus.
Subject:
3.2. Approval of Minutes
Description:

Recommendation: 

Resolved that the Royal Oak Schools Board of Education approves the following minutes:

September 2, 2026, Special Minutes (Finance & Facilities)
September 10, 2026, Regular Minutes
Subject:
4. PROCLAMATIONS
Subject:
4.1. Principals Month
Description:
Recommendation:

WHEREAS, energetic and inspiring school leadership is essential to Michigan's schools to prepare students for success, both during their PreK-12 years and beyond; and,

WHEREAS, principals are entrusted with the educational development of young people and serve as educational visionaries, instructional leaders, assessment experts, community builders, facility managers, special programs administrators, and guardians of various legal, contractual, and policy mandates and initiatives; and,

WHEREAS, principals set the academic tone for their schools and work collaboratively with teachers and parents to develop and implement a clear mission, high curriculum standards, and performance goals; and

WHEREAS, principals play a vital role in the success of students by creating school environments that facilitate great teaching and learning, as well as continuous school improvement; and,

WHEREAS, much of the success of PreK-12 students can be attributed to principals who act as the liaison between the school and the community it serves, ensuring that parents and the community are aware of student and school achievements; and,

WHEREAS, the celebration of Principals Month honors elementary, middle, and high school principals and recognizes the importance of school leadership in ensuring every child has access to a high-quality education; and,

WHEREAS, during this month, we join educators, parents, and students throughout Michigan to raise awareness of the importance of educational leadership and to recognize and thank the hardworking principals in Michigan schools who set exemplary standards of service; 

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Royal Oak Schools Board of Education hereby proclaims October 2026 as Principals Month in Royal Oak Schools.
Subject:
4.2. Indigenous Peoples' Day
Description:

Recommendation:

WHEREAS, Indigenous Peoples' Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October each year, honoring Indigenous American cultures and histories, and recognizing the contributions of Indigenous communities; and

WHEREAS, Indigenous Peoples' Day was first proposed in Geneva in 1977 by a delegation of Native Nations to the United Nations-sponsored International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas; and

WHEREAS, the Royal Oak Schools Board of Education recognizes that Indigenous peoples have lived upon this land since time immemorial and values the progress our society has achieved through the contributions of Indigenous peoples' cultures and achievements; and

WHEREAS, as a community that values diversity, equity, inclusion, and history, Royal Oak Schools will continue to acknowledge and celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day and recognize the original inhabitants of the Americas for their rich traditions, inventions, governance, agriculture, astronomy, sports, and medicine; and

WHEREAS, all Royal Oak Schools share a collective responsibility to teach and affirm Indigenous peoples' culture, history, and community;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Royal Oak Schools Board of Education, do hereby proclaim Monday, October 12, 2026, as Indigenous Peoples' Day for Royal Oak Schools.

Subject:
5. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS ON THE AGENDA
Description:
If you would like to make a public comment:
  • A person may address the Board on an agenda item by completing a note card located inside the Board Room and placing the card in the basket prior to the citizen public comment period. You will have an opportunity to comment on items not on the agenda at the end of the meeting. 
  • Each speaker is limited to three (3) minutes. If you need more time, you are offered a second opportunity to address the Board at the end of the meeting for an additional three (3) minutes. 
  • Please address the Board as a whole and not individually.
  • Please avoid mentioning specific staff members by name.
  • Public comment is not intended for the exchange of dialogue. This is a time for members of the public to express their views. We are paying attention to your comments and appreciate them. However, school board members do not respond to public comment during the meeting.  
  • Questions that arise from public comment shall be referred to the superintendent, or their designee, for review, study and possible future response.
  • Thank you in advance for your cooperation.  
Subject:
6. RECOGNITIONS / PRESENTATIONS / REPORTS
Subject:
6.1. Recognition of Courtney Votta, Michigan Art Education Association's 2027 Middle Level Art Educator of the Year
Subject:
6.2. New Employee Presentations
Presenter:
Pat Wolynski
Subject:
6.3. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Presenter:
Ashley Phillips
Subject:
6.4. Student Representatives to the Board
Presenter:
Anastasiya Cronk & Owen Krueger
Subject:
7. COMMUNICATIONS
Presenter:
Board of Education Secretary
Subject:
8. *CONSENT AGENDA (Personnel / Instruction / Business)
Description:
The consent agenda generally consists of routine matters as well as items we have covered during this meeting or another board or committee meeting. All items are documented in the minutes, which are published following the meeting at which they were approved. All of our committee and board meetings are open to the public and public comment is an item on each agenda. We invite members of the public to join our committees. 
Subject:
8.1. *Payment of Expenses
Description:
Recommendation:

Resolved that the Royal Oak Schools Board of Education hereby approves expenditures as processed in the amount of $6,145,225.94, for the period of September 1, 2026, through September 30, 2026. 
Subject:
8.2. *Appointment of a Royal Oak Representative to Oakland Schools Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)
Description:
One of the appointed representatives to the Oakland School Special Education Parent Advisory Committee resigned her position, and this appointment reflects her replacement.

Recommendation:

Resolved, that the Board of Education appoints Hayley Grobbel for the school years 2026–28 as a Royal Oak Schools representative to the Oakland Schools Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (PAC).
Subject:
8.3. *Approval of Administrative Contracts
Subject:
8.3.1. Katherine Abela 2026–28 Contract
Description:

Recommendation:

Resolved, that Royal Oak Schools Board of Education approve the 2026-28 contract with Katherine Abela as presented.
Subject:
8.3.2. Patrick Wolynski 2026-28 Contract
Description:

Recommendation:

Resolved, that Royal Oak Schools Board of Education approve the 2026-28 contract with Patrick Wolynski as presented.
Subject:
8.3.3. Joseph Youanes 2026-28 Contract
Description:

Recommendation:

Resolved, that Royal Oak Schools Board of Education approve the 2026-28 contract with Joseph Youane as presented.
Subject:
9. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION / ACTION
Subject:
9.1. Superintendent
Presenter:
John Tafelski
Subject:
9.1.1. Updates and Remarks
Subject:

9.2. Curriculum & Instruction

Presenter:
Joe Youanes
Subject:
9.2.1. Spring 2026 MI Student Voice Survey Analysis
Description:

We are pleased to share the Spring 2026 MI Student Voice Survey Analysis and Interactive Dashboard, featuring feedback gathered from 1,819 middle and high school students across Royal Oak Middle School (ROMS) and Royal Oak High School (ROHS). With 73.8% of our secondary students participating, this survey provides a clear, reliable picture of student life to help guide district decisions and school improvement plans.

To make this data easy to explore and discuss, we created an interactive dashboard. Board members, staff, and administrators can use it to look at overall scores, compare ROMS and ROHS side-by-side, check grade-by-grade participation, explore statewide context, and examine demographic group results.

The link directs viewers to an interactive dashboard.

Subject:
9.3. Finance/Facilities and Bond
Presenter:
Kathy Abela
Subject:
9.3.1. Oakland Elementary Addition Contract Award
Description:
Recommendation:

Resolved, that the Royal Oak Schools Board of Education approve the contract awards as attached for the Oakland Elementary addition, including contingency in the amount of $3,257,726.45.
Subject:
9.4. Staff and Student Services 
Presenter:
Patrick Wolynski
Subject:
9.4.1. Personnel Changes
Description:
Recommendation:

Resolved, the Royal Oak Schools Board of Education approves the regular personnel changes as presented in the board packet.
Subject:
10. PUBLIC COMMENT FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA
Description:
If you would like to make a public comment:
  • A person may address the Board on any non-agenda item at this time. 
  • Each speaker is limited to three (3) minutes.
  • Please address the Board as a whole and not individually.
  • Please avoid mentioning specific staff members by name.
  • Public comment is not intended for the exchange of dialogue. This is a time for members of the public to express their views. We are paying attention to your comments and appreciate them. However, school board members do not respond to public comment during the meeting.  
  • Questions that arise from public comment shall be referred to the superintendent, or their designee, for review, study and possible future response.
  • Thank you in advance for your cooperation.  
Subject:
11. BOARD COMMENTS / LIAISON REPORT
Description:

Arts & Preservation Committee—Deb Anderson
Curriculum Advisory Committee—Michelle Cook

October 9, League of Women Voters, Voter Registration—11:00am–1:00pm (ROHS)
October 14, Spectrum Vocal Music Concert—7:00pm (ROHS)
October 19, Conversation with the Super—6:00-8:00pm (Normandy Oaks Park Pavillion)
October 21, Marching Band Glow Show—6:30pm (ROHS football field)
October 23, Fall Family Festival & All-District Games—4:00–7:00pm
November 3, Election Day
November 4, Finance & Facilities Meeting—6:00pm
November 12, School Board Meeting—6:30pm
November 19, An Evening w/the Super @ Normandy Oaks Park—6:00–8:00pm





 
Subject:
12. ADJOURNMENT  (approval by consensus)  

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