Royal Oak Schools Superintendent Announces Retirement

ROYAL OAK, MI —The superintendent of Royal Oak Schools has announced his retirement at the end of this school year, according to a press release.

Shawn Lewis-Lakin, who has been the superintendent of Royal Oak schools since 2011, will step down in order to assume a new role as senior associate pastor at the Birmingham First United Methodist Church. Lewis-Lakin has been an ordained United Methodist clergy person for roughly 30 years and received his Master of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School. Please find Lewis-Lakin's statement below:

"It has been an honor and a privilege for me to serve as Superintendent of Royal Oak Schools. Effective June 30, 2017, I will be retiring as Superintendent.

I have been an ordained United Methodist clergyperson for nearly thirty years. Since August I have been engaged in a discernment process around returning to full time service in the church. On July 1, 2017, I will begin a new role, serving as the senior associate pastor at the Birmingham First United Methodist Church.

While I am excited about the new opportunity, this announcement is bittersweet. For nearly six years, Royal Oak has been my home. Our district employees, students, families and the community of Royal Oak will always be special to me. Together, we have taken great strides towards making Royal Oak Schools a true community of excellence. We have done good work together to inspire learning and creativity and better prepare Royal Oak students for college and careers. I have truly appreciated the opportunity to serve as Superintendent.

I am committed to serving as Royal Oak Schools’ Superintendent through June 30 and will work together with our Board of Education to ensure the transition to a new superintendent is as smooth as possible for families, students and staff."

Image via Royal Oak Schools