Money from school improvements bonds are paying for building upgrades and new facilities throughout Oakland County that students, teachers and parents will experience as the new school year begins.
The future could also change for several school districts in November as seven school improvement bonds totaling over $840 million will decided at the polls. Many schools also have new leaders.
As part of our back-to-school coverage, we reached out to the 27 school districts in the county to learn about the new faces and new places. Twelve districts did not respond, including Brandon, Clarenceville, Clawson, Hazel Park, Lamphere, Novi, Oak Park, Oxford, Pontiac, Southfield, South Lyon and Northville.
AVONDALE
https://www.avondaleschools.org/
New Faces: The district welcomes Catherine Kochanski as its new superintendent. Kochanski comes from Walled Lake Consolidated Schools, where she served as assistant superintendent of learning services. She also has experience as both an elementary principal and classroom teacher.
Adam Normand joins Avondale Middle School as assistant principal. Normand previously worked at Oakland Christian School and brings experience in academic affairs and secondary education.
Shalonda Byas will serve as principal of Grant Graham Elementary, while Jamie Brooks will lead Auburn Elementary as principal.
At GATE Magnet School, Angela Castaldi will transition to full-time assistant principal role and Graham Elementary will also welcome Tarah Erickson as the dean of students.
New Places: In February, the Avondale school board approved the second series of bond funding from their $150 million 2024 bond.
Over the past year, the district has reached several milestones, including the completion of the new Avondale Learning Center and the groundbreaking and start of construction on the district’s new Early Childhood Center, which remains on track to open in Fall 2028. Construction is also underway at Graham Elementary and will continue into the upcoming school year.
BERKLEY
https://www.berkleyschools.org/
New Faces: On Aug. 18, Berkley Schools staff gathered for their annual Kick-Off meeting in the newly updated Berkley High School Performing Arts Center. Staff welcomed new team members, celebrated 25-year employees, and welcomed over 40 new staff members including teachers, custodians, paraeducators, secretaries, administrators and support staff.
New Places: The Den is now complete and open for district robotics programs as well as their Adult Transition Program. The district purchased this building in 2024 when it was Cana Lutheran Church. The new multi-purpose/cafeteria addition is complete and open at Rogers Elementary.
Athletics: Hurley Field was updated with new lights and sound system, visitor bleachers, newly modified walking paths, remodeled team rooms, new scoreboard and expanded parking lot. Gyms were redone at Anderson Middle School, Norup International School, Berkley Building Blocks, Angell Elementary and Rogers Elementary. New Locker Rooms at Anderson Middle School and Norup International School. The High School West Gym has been renovated to include air conditioning and a new floor.
Under construction: Angell Elementary School new multi-purpose addition, Tyler Park new softball field and walking path, The BEAR Complex Field House and outdoor fields.
BIRMINGHAM
https://www.birmingham.k12.mi.us/
New Faces: Christy Nolan will take over as director of finance and operations and Candice Giles will be the new director of finance. Pauline Roberts will be the new principal at Birmingham Covington and Alana Purnell and Rita Briguglio will take over as assistant principals at Berkshire and Derby Middle Schools.
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
https://www.bloomfield.org/
New Faces: Jenny Rossi is the new principal at Way Elementary. Rossi has served as a teacher, Visible Thinking coordinator, Elementary Program consultant, and Instructional coach. Jeff Brown takes over as principal of Eastover Elementary after serving as principal of Way Elementary.
Krisa Laliberte will be the new Bloomfield Hills High School associate principal. She previously served as interim associate principal at BHHS in 2024 and has spent the past 22 years serving as an advisor, coordinator, or leader for dozens of teams, initiatives, and student-centered programs across the school.
Andrea Steele will be the district’s new Deaf and Hard of Hearing program supervisor. She joined the district this past year as an elementary Deaf and Hard of Hearing teacher.
New Places: Money from the 2025 sinking fund was used to repave the high school tennis courts, the Conant Elementary parking lot is in the process of being redone and Way Elementary sidewalks have been fixed.
Funds from the 2020 bond will be used for improvements at Eastover Elementary including a parking lot reconstruction project. As part of that work, a township-required stormwater retention system will be installed to improve drainage and site sustainability. Additional improvements include the replacement of select sidewalk sections at the upper portion of campus and the installation of a new mechanical unit at the Eastover Fieldhouse.
Transportation Center projects include the expansion of bus service bays, improvements to the bus wash system, new paved parking lot and enhancements to interior office spaces.
At Bloomfield Hills High School, a secure vestibule will be installed at the Andover entrance and renovations in G Wing will continue.
The Franklin Building has completed its major construction and is now the home to Maintenance and Operations and the dedicated space for the BHS robotics program at Bloomin’ West is near completion with plans to open soon.
CLARKSTON COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
https://www.clarkston.k12.mi.us/
New Faces: There will be a variety of new faces throughout Clarkston school this year. Shane Hynes is the new athletic director, Sarah Krebs is the new director of safety and security and Sarah Waslik will be the new principal at Renaissance High School.
Katie LaMay is the new executive director of student support services, Kristine Butcher takes over as data specialist and Gary Bigger will be the new assistant principal at the junior high.
Megan Birkett-Brazier and Jenny McClorey will be taking on leadership roles this year at the Early Childhood Center to ensure a smooth transition amid retirements on the horizon:
New Places: The district saw considerable construction over the summer with the biggest project continuing to be the construction at Clarkston Junior High School. There were also several summer projects at Clarkston High School, some of which are still in progress. Projects include a new parking lot, replacing the facade on a portion of the building, HVAC replacements, and new tennis courts.
The entrances of Southfield Public Schools buildings came alive with cheers, applause, and community pride on Aug. 31 as the district welcomed back students for the first day of the 2026 – 2027 school year with its annual celebratory “Clap-In” events throughout the district.
Photo courtesy Southfield Schools
FARMINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
https://www.farmington.k12.mi.us/
New Faces: Sonja James has been appointed Director of Community Engagement. James brings more than 28 years of experience in education and more than 18 years of K–12 public school administrative experience. She joins Farmington from West Bloomfield, where she served as executive director of educational equity and inclusion.
In her new role, James will lead efforts to strengthen relationships between Farmington schools and its students, families, staff, and community partners.
Scott Fifield has been named assistant principal of Warner Middle School. His career with the district began at Warner Middle School in 2002 as a special education teacher. He later joined North Farmington High School, where he served as a special education teacher for 13 years before becoming assistant principal in 2020.
“I am truly grateful to be rejoining the Warner Viking Family,” said Fifield. “Warner is a special place, and I am excited to team with the staff, community. I look forward to sharing my passion with our Vikings as we prepare them to one day become Raiders.”
FERNDALE
https://www.ferndaleschools.org/
New Faces: Ferndale is welcoming several new and recently appointed leaders for the 2026-27 school year.
Ryan Smith joins Ferndale Lower Elementary as principal, Torrence Greene joins Ferndale Lower Elementary as assistant principal and Fred George joins Ferndale Upper Elementary as assistant principal.
New Places: Students returning to Ferndale High School will see significant progress from the May 2025 $114.8 million school improvement bond that passed with over 70% support. Approximately $9 million in improvements are underway at Ferndale High School, including new and improved baseball and softball facilities, renovations to the auditorium, and upgrades to locker rooms and other student spaces.
Over the summer, students participating in Ferndale’s Drone Apprenticeship Program gained real-world experience while earning industry credentials and wages, and also competed at the national level. Middle school students explored robotics, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies through the Geek Squad Academy.
HOLLY AREA SCHOOLS
https://www.hask12.org/
New Places: Students, families and staff will notice many improvements and upgrades across the district including: Holly High School Auditorium upgrades included a new stage floor, stage curtains, lighting, sound controls and carpet, a new Holly stadium ticket booth, a new Holly High School fire alarm system, playground equipment updates at several elementary sites and new gym flooring at Holly Elementary, Rose Pioneer and Patterson elementary schools.
HURON VALLEY SCHOOLS
https://www.hvs.org/
New Faces: Four principals will begin new roles in the district this fall. Amanda Rivers has been named principal of Johnson Elementary School after serving three years as the district’s Behavior Specialist.
At Country Oaks Elementary, Debbie Tallon will take the helm. A former Country Oaks student and Lakeland High School graduate, she has spent her career in the district including 10 years as a teacher at Johnson Elementary and as a gifted and talented teacher.
Stacie Brodi will become the new principal of Muir Middle School after serving as the school’s assistant principal for the past four and a half years. Brodi succeeds Steve Digsby, who will move to Milford High School as its new principal following the retirement of longtime principal Kevin McKenna.
New Places: Construction is underway on Huron Valley’s new Highland Middle School, which will be located just south of Milford High School. The school, made possible through at $361 million 2024 bond proposal, is expected to open in 2028.
Work is also progressing at White Lake Middle School, where a major expansion and renovation will modernize the existing building while adding new learning spaces. The multi-year project is expected to continue through 2027, with the overall project wrapping up in time for the 2028 school year.
LAKE ORION COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
https://www.lakeorionschools.org/
New Faces: Kristin Slisinski will be the new Waldon Middle School Principal, Josh Thelen will be the Learning Options High School principal and Chrissandra Padilla will take over as Early Childhood Center Director. Teresa Bronczyk will be the new Paint Creek Elementary principal and Erin Schmuhl will be taking over as principal at Carpenter Elementary.
New Places: Projects funded by the approval of the $160 million 2018 Bond include roofing and paving at Lake Orion High School and a new activity room, secure entrance, and new road at the CERC Building.
MADISON PUBLIC SCHOOLS
https://www.madisondistrict.org/
New Places: Madison is awaiting the arrival of new electric school buses to the district through a $1.9 million grant award from the Michigan Department of Education Clean Bus Energy grant program. Delivery of the buses is expected in the spring of the 2026-27 school year. Work has been completed on replacement of rooftop units at Wilkinson Middle School using sinking fund dollars. Superintendent Patricia Perry also announced that the district is no longer projecting a deficit at the end of the 2026-27 school year.
Stephan Henning feels the support of Keller Elementary in Royal Oak after being named the new principal.
Photo courtesy ROSD
ROCHESTER
https://www.rochester.k12.mi.us/
New Faces: Joshua Wrinkle has been selected to serve as the assistant superintendent of secondary and adult education. Wrinkle has most recently served as the principal at Rochester High School since 2021 and has been as an assistant principal at Rochester High School, as well as a high school science teacher at Adams High School.
Replacing Wrinkle as new principal is Emily Collier. Collier has over 18 years of educational experience and earned an education specialist degree in leadership from Oakland University, a master’s degree in reading and curriculum assessment from Marygrove College and a bachelor’s degree in teaching and learning from Eastern Michigan University.
New Places: After a multi-year review and analysis, a new literacy resource, Magnetic Literacy, was recommended for all RCS kindergarten through grade 5 students. The new curriculum will be implemented beginning with the 2026-27 school year. Rochester will also be introducing scratch-cooking and low-sugar options at all of our school buildings.
This fall Rochester students are encouraged to: “Walk it. Don’t ride it.” when using e-bikes or e-scooters on district property. The district has been monitoring the use of e-bikes and e-scooters on and around school property and to help create a safer environment the district is requiring that e-bikes and e-scooters not be ridden on school property. Riders should dismount when entering school grounds and walk their device until they leave school property.
ROYAL OAK SCHOOLS
https://www.royaloakschools.org/
New Faces: Three experienced educators are stepping into elementary principal positions for the new school year. Stephan Henning has been named principal at Keller Elementary. Henning previously served as a middle school principal in Waterford and has experience in the International Baccalaureate and Primary Years Programme frameworks.
Kristin Szymanski has been named principal of Upton Elementary. Szymanski previously served as Royal Oak Schools’ Multi-Tiered System of Supports Coordinator at Oak Ridge Elementary and previously taught fourth grade at Upton.
Jeanette McLeod has been named principal of Oak Ridge Elementary. McLeod has been a member of Royal Oak Schools since 2014, beginning as a second-grade teacher and later teaching kindergarten and developmental kindergarten at Keller Elementary School. She is also an alumna of Oak Ridge Elementary.
“We are thrilled to welcome these talented individuals into such vital roles within our district,” said Patrick Wolynski, executive director of staff and student services. “Each brings a unique combination of experience, knowledge of our district, and a deep commitment to students and staff. Their leadership will be an incredible asset to their respective school communities as we begin this new school year.”
Royal Oak is also promoting three district educators to new leadership positions in the Special Education Department.
Leticia Thweatt is now the director of secondary special education, and Julia Kennedy, is now the director of elementary special education. Supporting the work of the new directors is Jason Parrott, who has been named supervisor of Special Education. Parrott will lead the RAVENS and Early On programs while also supporting special education throughout the district.
“We are fortunate to have such talented and dedicated educators stepping into new leadership roles across Royal Oak Schools,” said John Tafelski, superintendent of Royal Oak Schools. “Ms. Thweatt, Ms. Kennedy, and Dr. Parrott each bring valuable experience and a strong commitment to serving our students and families. These appointments strengthen our leadership team and reflect our commitment to recognizing and growing the talent we already have within our district.”
New Places: New this school year are major building renovations at the Royal Oak Education Center, formerly Churchill Community Education Center, which will house the district’s Early Childhood Center, Churchill Community High School, and TRAILS (Transitioning Responsible Adults in Life Skills) program.
The Early Childhood Center can now accommodate two new classrooms of students. The ECC features larger classrooms and dedicated space for occupational and physical therapy and speech services.
Beyond the brick and mortar improvements, Royal Oak Schools has also expanded their partnerships with Oakland Schools Technical Campus and Oakland Community College.
New Troy schools staff pose for a group photo before the start of the new school year. Hundreds of new staff and administrators will be starting in new districts around the county this fall.
Photo courtesy TSD
TROY SCHOOL DISTRICT
https://www.troy.k12.mi.us/
New Places: The new Smith Middle School was designed to transform the way students learn and connect. Rather than relying solely on traditional classroom hallways, the building is organized into learning communities, smaller, flexible areas that create a sense of belonging within the larger school. Flexible furniture, shared learning areas, and adaptable spaces give teachers and students options to reshape conventional classroom teaching. Students will begin the school year in the new building, and the district will hold a grand opening in October.
Work paid for through the approval of the $555 million 2022 bond has transformed athletic facilities at both Athens and Troy High Schools. Both schools have received new stadium turf and tracks, turf practice fields, new tennis courts, turf baseball and softball fields, and new restroom facilities.
Troy High also received new walkways and a new concessions facility.
WALLED LAKE CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS
wlcsd.org
New Faces: Walled Lake Consolidated Schools appointed Michelle Kalhorn and Abbie Kidder to be the new assistant superintendents of Learning Services.
Kalhorn will serve as the Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Learning Services. She has been with the district since 2015 and comes to the central office from Walled Lake Northern, where she served as an assistant principal for the past two years. Prior to that, Kalhorn spent six years as the principal at Sarah G. Banks Middle School and served as an assistant principal at Walled Lake Central.
Kidder will serve as the Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Learning Services. Kidder has been with the district since 2018, most recently as the executive manager of Human Resources for the past two years. Prior to that, she was Loon Lake Elementary’s principal for six years and came to Walled Lake Consolidated School after three years as the assistant principal at Grant Upper Elementary in Livonia Public Schools.
Kevin Ayre will be the new executive manager of Human Resources.
Ayre comes to Walled Lake with more than two decades of experience in educational leadership. He most recently served as the principal at Brandon High School for the past four years. Prior to that, Ayre held roles as both principal and assistant principal at Clio High School.
Jaclyn Fawk takes over as new principal at Glengary Elementary.
Fawk comes from Ann Arbor Public Schools, where she most recently served as a literacy coach at Haisley Elementary. Prior to that, she was a curriculum instructional specialist for the district, as well as spent five years as a lead teacher at Logan Elementary in Ann Arbor.
Amanda Kelty returns to the district as the new principal at Meadowbrook Elementary.
Kelty returns to her Mustang roots, where she started her educational career two decades ago. Kelty spent 18 years at Meadowbrook Elementary teaching multiple grade levels and served as the literacy interventionist for upper elementary students.
New Places: Several projects are ongoing through the $250 million school bond approved in May 2024.
James Geisler Middle School is being repurposed to house the Adult Transitions Program, Special Services Department, Community Education and District Central Office. Upgrades are being made at Walled Lake Central and Walled Lake Northern High Schools and a new Wixom Elementary school is expected to be completed and set to open next fall.
Based on survey feedback Oakland ISD has created a quick-reference guide to provide helpful information about Oakland Schools, their role as an ISD, and how they support local districts.
photo courtesy Oakland ISD
WATERFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT
waterford.k12.mi.us
New Faces: In Waterford, Jenny Gieselman will be the new Grayson Elementary principal, Angela Gorkiewiz will take over as Student Support Services supervisor, Amy Kemmer will be the Children’s Village principal and Gary Nazarko will be the Food and Nutrition Services Director.
New Places: In August, the district announced the launch of Visioning Forward, a comprehensive strategic initiative designed to guide the future direction of the school district.
The initiative aims to establish an effective, long-term operational roadmap that ensures all district decisions, educational opportunities and resources are directly aligned with student success.
“To build a roadmap that truly reflects our community, we must first gain a clear understanding of our community’s priorities and vision for our schools,” said Superintendent Adam Martin. “District leadership is committed to maintaining full transparency throughout this process as we work together to shape what’s next for Waterford School District.”
The initiative will unfold across three distinct phases:
• Phase 1 (through late fall): Focuses on seeking direct input from staff, families and community members.
• Phase 2 (through late 2026): Involves carefully evaluating community findings to explore actionable possibilities for the district.
• Phase 3 (early 2027): Puts the completed, community-informed plan into motion.
The district is actively seeking public participation. Community members, staff and families can share their perspectives starting in September 2026 through a districtwide survey and upcoming feedback sessions.
WEST BLOOMFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT
https://www.wbsd.org/
New Faces: Thomas DeGrand began his new duties as West Bloomfield athletic director in July. He previously served as an Educational Technology teacher at West Bloomfield Middle School and head coach of the West Bloomfield Middle School wrestling program. DeGrand also founded and continues to lead the West Bloomfield Wrestling Club and his coaching experience also includes youth baseball and flag football.
“Thomas has consistently demonstrated a passion for supporting students both inside and outside the classroom,” said Superintendent Dania Bazzi.”His leadership, collaborative approach, and deep understanding of our district and community make him the ideal person to lead our athletic programs.
New Places: Results from money spent from the $148 million 2023 bond can be seen around the district. Students will be heading to the new Sheiko Elementary and West Bloomfield Preschool Academy. A ribbon-cutting will be held on Sept. 16 to dedicate the new buildings. There have also been improvements including new STEAM/CTE spaces, multi-activity spaces, technology upgrades, and dedicated early childhood spaces.
At West Bloomfield Middle School, Advanced Pathways launches this year with accelerated pathways in English, social studies, and science. This creates a bridge to West Bloomfield High School, where students can choose from 27 Advanced Placement courses.