Oakland Schools District Service Report 2012

Our credo
Service, expertise, and excellence form the foundation of Oakland Schools. We
prepare students to be meaningful contributors in a diverse society. Continuous
learning drives our efforts to support local districts and the community while
fostering a global perspective. Organizational strength and effectiveness come from
inclusion, advocacy, innovation, and leadership. We share responsibility for leading
the Oakland County educational community.
We believe our first responsibility is to the educators of Oakland County, their
students and families. We believe that all students can learn, and will, given the
right resources and time. Our services, products, tools, and knowledge are focused
to support high levels of student achievement, maximize resources and meet
compliance obligations. Through visionary leadership and inclusive relationships,
we develop regional capacity for the continuous improvement of student learning.
We believe every employee can be highly productive. We support ongoing learning
by providing necessary tools and resources. We hold one another to a high standard
of professionalism, respect, integrity, and fairness. Together, we embrace a culture
that promotes ideas and innovation
as it encourages creativity and fun.
We deliver high quality service as we
advocate for every child.
We collaborate with the Oakland
County community and develop
strong partnerships with all levels
of government, business, social
agencies, and education to enhance
the quality of life in this region. These
collaborations strengthen teaching and
learning and increase opportunities
for Oakland County students as they
graduate to a global economy.
For all those with whom we work and
whom we serve, we pledge to partner
in practices that honor collaboration,
responsible stewardship of public
resources, transparent business practices and ethical behavior.
Our customers and service areas
The Oakland Schools service area encompasses:
• Population of more than 1.2 million people
• 910 square miles; close to 90,000 acres of parks
• 28 public school districts
• 17 public school academies
• 81 reporting nonpublic school buildings
• 186 elementary schools
• 62 middle and junior high schools
• 60 senior high and alternative high schools
• Four Oakland Schools Technical Campuses (OSTC) in Clarkston, Pontiac,
Royal Oak, and Wixom
• Approximately 217,000 students – 194,277 from public schools (Audited FTE,
October 5, 2011) and 22,876 from nonpublic schools (March 1, 2012 Headcount)
• Close to 24,000 students receive Special Education programs and services
• Approximately 23,000 Oakland County public school employees (CEPI, REP
Summary 2011)
Service highlights
Oakland Schools is committed to improving student
achievement through the research-based development and
effective delivery and support of innovative, high quality
instructional products and services in partnership with the
schools we serve.
Serving the diverse needs of Oakland County schools and
217,000 students is our primary focus. We support teaching
and learning in the areas of general, special and career focused
education, and provide assistance in business operations and
technology. We also support mandated compliance with state
and federal regulations with a variety of services.
Everything a district needs - from workshops on the latest
teaching methods, on-site consulting and help with school
improvement and curriculum; to management software, food
service support and testing of students with special needs (and
more) - is provided by Oakland Schools.
Oakland Schools’ commitment to regionalizing services and supporting
collaboration across Oakland County enables local schools and districts to operate
more efficiently and economically, saving administrative costs/dollars that can be
used directly in the classroom.
2011-2012 District Service Report • October 2012 5