Royal Oak superintendent transition announced; board approves first reading of policy revisions

Royal Oak Schools' outgoing superintendent told the Board of Education on June 25 that Dr. Topolsky will begin transitioning into the superintendent role during July and will be the board's primary contact starting next week.

"Tonight will be my last meeting as sitting in the sole seat as superintendent as at the July meeting, we will have Doctor Topolsky with us at the board table," the superintendent said, announcing a month-long transition in which the outgoing superintendent will move into an advisory role while the new chief organizes the office with the newly hired executive assistant.

The superintendent also introduced Jennifer Perkins as the executive assistant to the superintendent and board, noting that Ms. Perkins was attending her first official meeting.

In separate business the board approved the first reading of a set of revised, replaced and recommended policies and administrative guidelines that the district's policy committee worked on with Neola. The motion for first reading was made by Trustee Tristy Alexander and seconded by Trustee Anderson; the board approved the motion by voice vote. Staff said one additional policy had been added after further research and that, if approved tonight, the set would proceed to second reading in July.

Action taken: board approved the first reading of the revised policies and guidelines and accepted the superintendent's transition plan as presented. No formal personnel vote for the superintendent role was taken at this meeting; staff said the July meeting would include Dr. Topolsky at the board table as part of the transition.

What to watch: the board will have Dr. Topolsky at the July meeting as the superintendent transitions; a second reading and final board action on the policy revisions is scheduled for the July meeting if the board follows the process described by staff.