Royal Oak Schools Announces First-Round Superintendent Interviews

ROYAL OAK, MI — The Royal Oak Schools Board of Education has narrowed down its search for a superintendent.

The board will hold first-round interviews with the final four candidates this week. The interviews will be held in person at the Board Meeting Room located at 800 DeVillen Street. Officials asked members of the community to attend the interviews:

Tuesday, May 13

• 5:30 p.m. – Catherine Kochanski, Assistant Superintendent of Learning Services, Walled Lake Public Schools (Former principal in Rochester and Brandon; 15 years of teaching in Troy)
• 6:45 p.m. – Meghan Ashkanani, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning, and Technology, Berkley School District (Former principal in Berkley; 17 years of teaching in Novi)

Wednesday, May 14

• 5:30 p.m. – John Tafelski, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Allen Park Public Schools (Former high school principal and business teacher in Dearborn/Heights)
• 6:45 p.m. – Joseph Youanes, Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction (Former principal at Addams Elementary and assistant principal at Royal Oak Middle School; former teacher in Troy)

Following the initial interviews, an open house will be held for finalists on Friday, May 16 at 3:30 p.m., with second-round interviews taking place later that evening.

The Board has partnered with the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB), an organization that supports school boards across the state, to help with the search. They hope to have a new superintendent in place by July 1.

The position became available after Superintendent Mary Beth Fitzpatrick announced she'll retire in July.