Breaking News from Royal Oak Schools

McLogan won't seek fourth term on School Board

Kevin McLogan announced today that he will not seek a fourth term on the Royal Oak Board of Education.

“Although I won't be serving on the Board, my work in education will not end,” said McLogan.

“The next generation of Michigan's leaders is being educated now. Making sure these students are ready to lead the state on a new path is everyone's responsibility.” McLogan said that public schools in Michigan will face a number of serious challenges over the next several years.

"I will be exploring options on a regional and state level to use my skills, passion, and knowledge to help lead an education revolution in the State of Michigan.”

McLogan began serving on the Board of Education in 1997. He worked with five Superintendents and fourteen board members. He earned certification through the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) and, over the years, represented Royal Oak Schools on the Michigan Association of School Boards, the Michigan PTSA and Oakland County School Boards Association where he currently serves as President. In addition, he has been an active member of other education-based organizations such as the Michigan Foundation for Public Education, the Council About Parochiaid, and All Kids in School.

McLogan took his advocacy to Lansing and to Washington DC, making frequent trips to speak to federal and state policy makers about a variety of important issues. McLogan said, "I believe that advocating for Royal Oak Schools and public education at every level is the job of School board members and I hope someone on the Board takes up that mantle.” McLogan trains advocates on PTAs and school boards across the state and has been a mentor to board members as one of the inaugural members of MASB’s Members Assisting Peers program.

McLogan served on the Royal Oak School Board during a critical time in the district's history. Faced with declining enrollment, aging infrastructure, Columbine, No Child Left Behind, state and federal mandates, uncertain funding and a student population that needs to be prepared the 21st century, the boards on which McLogan served did not shy away from the challenges. "Working with a talented staff, excellent board members and a dedicated community, the board made the difficult decision to consolidate the district to assure quality education for generations to come".

"The Boards I served on were fiscally conservative", said McLogan. "We cut 25 administrative positions since 1998; found $2 million in operating efficiencies every year, balanced our budgets, and was able to see a decline in the operating milage every year since Proposal A. Yet we never sacrifice academic excellence to save money. Royal Oak has always put academic excellence above all else.”

State Representative Marie Donigan, married to McLogan since 2003 says, "I've watched Kevin help the School District get to a place where academic excellence takes priority having put the district on a fiscally and physically stable path. I brag about Royal Oak schools in Lansing often and use our district up as an example of what good leadership can do when faced with difficult times.

Tom Moline, Superintendent of Royal Oak schools said, "I have enjoyed working with Kevin very much. His dedication to public education makes my job easier both in Royal Oak and on a statewide level. We share a passion for educating kids; Kevin's 12 year service is testament to that".

Chris Hartwig who began serving with Kevin in 1997 said she'll miss working with Kevin on the board. Hartwig, who will also not run for a fourth term on the board said, “Kevin is a stickler for detail and good policy. He kept us moving forward when we were being pulled in many different directions. I hope Kevin's skills can be put to work elsewhere for the betterment of Michigan's public schools."

(Kevin McLogan is the author of this blog)