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SPOTLIGHT ON HOME
0109-2239
GARDEN & Royal Oak Schools superintendent lays out goals for district LOOK FOR FALL EVENTS ON PAGE 22A, MORE AT CANDGNEWS.COM
248-920-8900
OCTOBER 4, 2023 STARTS • Vol. 21, No. 21
ON 11A
Shelby and Utica put part of water and sewer payments in escrow until state settles debt dispute BY MIKE KOURY
mkoury@candgnews.com
ROYAL OAK — In her State of the Schools address Sept. 28, Royal Oak Schools Superintendent Mary Beth Fitzpatrick addressed a new strategic plan for the district’s next five years, up to 2028. In her address, Fitzpatrick laid out four goals that the district will aim for over this period. They are committing to fostering an impactful learning community where students will be embraced, accepted, challenged and prepared; strengthening and expanding school community connections that are crucial to both the success of the school district and the community; op-
timizing the use of all financial and physical resources; and attracting and retaining the best staff. “We want to make sure that we’re an optimal workplace environment and that both a diverse pool of potential employees are sought on a regular basis and we also meet the needs of our current employees so that they want to stay here long term,” she said of the last goal. “The workforce in general across our state and our country have choices. People are making choices with work and life balance. We want them to stay here. We want our staff to stay here, and so as important as it is to find the key people to work in our district, we also want those that are here to want to stay here.” See SUPERINTENDENT on page 12A
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
Superintendent Mary Beth Fitzpatrick talks about the school district’s goals for the next five years during her State of the Schools address.
BY MIKE KOURY mkoury@candgnews.com
BERKLEY/ROYAL OAK — Sept. 27 was a surreal day for Andrew Kowalkowski, as he formally was sworn in as a judge for the 44th District Court. Kowalkowski’s swearing in came six months after he was appointed to the bench by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer following the death of Judge Jamie Wittenberg last year. While he was sworn in during a private ceremony when
Judge Derek Meinecke, of the 44th District BY KRISTYNE E. DEMSKE domestic and sexual violence through comprehensive Court, speaks kdemske@candgnews.com services and resources. The agency provides emergenabout new cy, support and prevention services for survivors of Andrew MOUNT CLEMENS — Taking steps this domestic and sexual violence, including an Judge emergenas month to highlight awareness of sexual assault, Turn- cy shelter, individual and group counseling, Kowalkowski advocacy, Kowalkowski, ing Point Macomb is hosting its sixth annual fund- a personal protection order assistance program, and a along with his raiser, Stepping Out With the Stars, April 29. forensic nurse examiners program. wife, Jennifer, Turning Point strives to empower survivors of See TURNING on page 18A and children Evan and Adelyn, listen Turning Point President and CEO Sharman Davenport stands at the 2021 event with Stepping Outduring the with the Stars emcee Evrod Cassimy, of WDIV-TV. investiture. Photo courtesy of Turning Point
See JUDGE on page 18A
Photo by Patricia O’Blenes
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Kowalkowski formally sworn in as judge for 44th District Court
Event to raise money, awareness for Turning Point