By: Taylor Christensen | Royal Oak Review | Published March 17, 2025
ROYAL OAK — After eight years with Royal Oak Schools, Superintendent Mary Beth Fitzpatrick announced her retirement at the March 13 school board meeting. Her retirement will be effective on July 31.
“Marking my 39th year in public education leading in this district has been an incredible opportunity,” Fitzpatrick said during the meeting. “I am the first female superintendent in the history of this district, and I have been very proud to represent you with that.”
“I just wanted to convey how deeply I respect the work that you do,” Michelle Cook, treasurer of the school board, said at the meeting. “It is clear that you are committed and dedicated to the students, to the staff and to helping all of us fulfill the role that we have taken on as board members.”
Fitzpatrick began her career in the Berkley School District as a special education teacher before transitioning into instructional support and staff development, according to a Royal Oak Schools press release.
“From the start of my career in 1986, I have passionately pursued teaching and learning,” Fitzpatrick said in a prepared statement. “Each role has allowed me to work with outstanding educators in two amazing communities.”
Fitzpatrick also had her time in the administrative realm, serving as assistant principal and principal at the elementary and high school levels in Berkley.
Fitzpatrick was known to focus on curriculum enhancement, staff supervision and student engagement, according to the release.
“When I was a teacher in the Berkley School District, I was afforded a lot of opportunities to be a teacher leader, to get my feet wet and try on some leadership roles with peers,” she told the Royal Oak Review. “And my master’s degree is in administration as well, and that work was very interesting to me. So then when I made a decision to leave the classroom and try on administration for the first time, I really enjoyed all of the opportunities that were afforded to me.”
Fitzpatrick said she had a lot of mentors who helped her gain experience and confidence in those administrative roles.
Fitzpatrick made a lasting impact on Royal Oak Schools, implementing five district-changing initiatives.
In 2017, Fitzpatrick led the district when voters passed a bond for $60 million, providing funding for facility improvements, technology and educational resources, according to the press release.
Throughout her time in Royal Oak, Fitzpatrick focused on providing community-driven events, which connected the school district with the community.
Fitzpatrick recruited and hired many of the district’s leaders and administrators.
The superintendent also led the long range planning process that focuses on a strategic plan to guide the district’s vision and priorities.
Fitzpatrick also mentored staff members who have aspirations to be administrators.
“I feel incredibly proud of everything that we’ve accomplished,” Fitzpatrick said during the meeting.
Fitzpatrick said that she is retiring to prioritize time with her family.
“After almost four decades, it’s time to do something different with my time and have more free time for my family. I have adult children now and they’re just in a new phase in their life that I would love to be more a part of,” she said. “This job has many, many demands, and it just seems like the right time.”
Fitzpatrick also secured grants for Royal Oak Schools and its students.
In particular, Fitzpatrick secured support from the Oakland County Schools Mental Health Grant Program, which helped to provide resources for district initiatives and bolster programs that promote student well-being and educational opportunities, according to the press release.
Fitzpatrick also was recently awarded the Safe Routes to School mini-grant that aims to help improve student safety and encourage walking and biking to school through infrastructure improvements and community engagement.
“It’s been a shared mindset in the community for continuous improvements,” she said. “We know we are a great school district, we have an amazing community, and we knew that we also wanted to be self-reflective and always look forward to what’s next and what would serve our students best.”
“I had that shared mindset with my staff as well as our Board of Education, and that’s what really drove us to put things in writing and make commitments to our community and our strategic plan,” she said.
“I just want to thank her for all her years, the importance in ensuring that our mission, vision and values stays the same and we are committed to our staff, students and community. So, thank you.” Maryanne VanHaitsma, school board trustee, said at the meeting.
The immediate next steps for Fitzpatrick are to ensure a smooth transition to the next leader of the Royal Oak School District.
“I really want to make sure that the district is in a good position and that I can help as much as possible in that transition,” she said. “And then I do believe some travel is in my near future, to just explore some places we haven’t been able to visit, take a little more time for that.”
But this is not the end for Fitzpatrick, who said she still sees herself contributing to the school community in different ways.
“I don’t believe I am finished in the profession,” she said. “I think there’s probably other things I would like to do to be a contributing member and help future leaders.”
For more information on Royal Oak Schools, visit royaloakschools.org.
Call Staff Writer Taylor Christensen at (586) 498-1081.