Message From The Superintendent

Message From The Superintendent
Posted on 08/01/2022

We can feel the excitement building for a new school year, and we look forward to the official student start on September 6. We know many activities and athletics start weeks before Labor Day, so be sure to check out all of our special events.

The PTA, Boosters, and many other organizations who support us are also gearing up for another exceptional year. In the latest edition of the Dispatch, we are providing direct links to many resources for parents to help get the school year off to a great start.

I would like to take this opportunity to invite all of you to a "State of the School Address" which will take place in person on Wednesday, August 17 at 7:00 PM in the main conference room of the Administrative Offices, 800 DeVillen. In this presentation, I will provide an overview of the district's programs and services, as well as other important information including how you can be involved in the Royal Oak Schools long-range planning process that will take place in the 2022-23 school year. The evening's presentation will be recorded and posted to our website shortly after for those who are unable to attend.

As you know, summer is a time when many new employees are hired and I would like to announce that two new building principals are among those newly hired staff in Royal Oak Schools.

After a thorough application and interview process, Sharida Lewis was selected to be the Principal of Royal Oak High School. Ms. Lewis has 25 years of experience as a teacher and administrator. Most recently, she served as the Principal of Canton High School. Ms. Lewis has already been at work getting to know the ROHS community as her official first day was this week Wednesday.

Kristin Meldrum was selected to be the Principal of Royal Oak Middle School also following a robust interview process. Ms. Meldrum has 15 years of experience in education as a teacher, coach, and administrator. She was the Assistant Principal at Troy Athens High School before interviewing with us. Ms. Meldrum's first official day is August 1 although she has already taken time to get acclimated to ROMS and Royal Oak Schools.

I am looking forward to working with these new leaders in the district, and both share an eagerness to serve in Royal Oak. In the coming days, parents at ROMS and ROHS will hear from their new principals.

I would like to thank the staff, students, community members, and board members who served on the interview teams to help select these two amazing administrators for our district.

We look forward to seeing all of you in the coming weeks! Enjoy the rest of your summer.

Mary Beth Fitzpatrick, Superintendent Royal Oak Schools

Royal Oak Schools - A Community of Excellence