OCS Connections

Oxford Board of Education Meeting Recap — April 7, 2026

It was a full and productive evening at the Oxford BOE meeting, with several highlights worth sharing with our community:

✨ Celebrating Our Students

The meeting began with student recognitions showcasing achievements in the arts, athletics, and academics across all buildings and programs. It was especially meaningful to see Crossroads students included in the celebration—an important reminder of the diverse successes across our district.

🏫 District Updates from the Superintendent

Several exciting updates were shared:
• The new ASD Center will be called Keystone Learning Center. Prior to demolition, the Oxford Fire Department utilized buildings on-site for training exercises. Three of the four structures have now been removed.
• Renovations to the OHS weight room are underway, made possible by a generous donor.
• OMS environmental mitigation is in progress, with flooring already replaced in Rooms 110 and 111. A big thank you to our facilities team for completing this work over spring break, with more improvements planned this summer.
• The Superintendent will be hosting “Coffee & Connect” sessions for the community. The first is scheduled for April 13 at 8:30 AM at Evergreen’s — all are welcome to attend and engage.
• OMS was awarded a $9,000 STEM grant, which has been used to purchase a Fischertechnik controller to enhance student learning.

🎓 Oxford High School Spotlight

OHS Principal Brad Bigelow delivered an engaging presentation highlighting:
• Survey insights and local/state assessment data
• Diverse learning pathway opportunities for students
• Attendance goals and progress
• Points of pride, including a powerful student perspective shared by senior Alex de la Fuente

🛠️ Keystone Learning Center Approvals

The Board approved two items related to construction and technology for the Keystone Learning Center project. These investments are reimbursable through Oakland Schools ISD, with reimbursements submitted and received on a regular basis.

Trustee Sara Beth voted no on both items, citing concerns about district funds being tied up in the project. It has been explained in multiple meetings that these costs are routinely reimbursed — often within a short turnaround timeframe. Her continued opposition reflects a lack of support for this program and raises concerns about alignment with initiatives designed to expand opportunities and improve outcomes for Oxford students.

🗣️ Public Comment

One public comment was shared regarding the Board’s upcoming workshop. The concern raised about not using district funds for board professional development is both short-sighted and misguided. Ongoing training and facilitated workshops are standard practice for effective boards, helping members better understand their roles, strengthen collaboration, and ultimately make more informed decisions for the benefit of students and the district. Investing in strong governance is not wasteful — it is responsible and necessary.

📅 Next Meeting

The next BOE meeting will be held on April 21 at 6:30 PM at Lakeville.

Let’s get into it — because there’s a lot of good happening in our district.👇

👏 Starting on a High Note

The night kicked off by honoring our Teacher and Support Staff of the Year—and it was well deserved. These are the people showing up for our kids every single day and going above and beyond. We’re lucky to have them. Dr. Milligan continued recognizing staff during her report, and it set a positive tone for the entire meeting.

🌟 A Program Worth Talking About

Crossroads Day School took center stage — and honestly, more people should know about it.

Principal Todd Barlass shared powerful data and real stories showing how students are making meaningful progress. We’re talking about students on track to earn their GEDs within months — and one already accepted to MSU. That’s life-changing.

This program has been around since the 1950s… yet many in the community have never heard of it. That should change. As Mike A. said — this is something our district should be proud of.

📊 Strategic Plan Check-In

Good news: student surveys show that feelings of belonging and safety are holding steady compared to last year. The district will continue adjusting the plan as new feedback comes in.

🔒 Safety Update

Door checks remain a focus. Fortis will now track this in writing, and staff are expected to check doors when they see an issue and have the opportunity to address it. For our community, this isn’t a procedural checkbox. It matters.

🤝 Building Community Connections

There’s ongoing effort to strengthen relationships between the Board, district leadership, and YOU — the community. Think: Coffee & Conversations, lunches, and more opportunities to stay connected and informed.

💡 One interesting takeaway shared:
another district successfully managing multiple rebuilds relies on a consistently renewed sinking fund to maintain their facilities. Food for thought as we look ahead.

✅ What Was Approved
✔️ 5th Grade Camp
✔️ New Technology Course
✔️ OVA Bid
✔️ Leonard Boiler Bid
✔️ Oakland Schools (ISD) Contract (approved by all except Sara Beth)

⸻

We’ll keep showing up, asking questions, and sharing what’s really happening — because our community deserves to be informed.

Stay tuned. There’s more to come!

Let’s talk about “transparency.”

It’s a word that gets thrown around a lot lately — usually by people who are anything but. Sharing half-truths, leaving out inconvenient context, and posting unverified claims isn’t transparency. It’s manipulation with better branding.

Oxford has been through enough. This community doesn’t need more noise — it needs accurate information from people who actually give a damn about these kids and this district.

A note on anonymity — because someone will point it out…

Yes, OCS Connections operates anonymously. We want to be straight with you about why: Oxford is a small, tight-knit community. People who speak up about those in power sometimes face real social and professional consequences. Anonymity protects community members who want to participate in this conversation without fear of retaliation — not the page, the people who trust us with information.

Our anonymity is a shield for the community. It is not a license to be sloppy with facts.

The difference between us and those crying “transparency” while spreading misinformation? We can prove what we post.

So here’s where we stand:

✔️ We cite our sources — links, documents, verifiable facts

✔️ We correct ourselves when we’re wrong — because that’s what accountability actually looks like

✔️ We keep the focus where it belongs — on students, families, and the community paying attention

There’s plenty of room for hard conversations and legitimate disagreement. That’s healthy. That’s democracy. But it has to be grounded in what’s actually true — not what’s convenient for someone’s agenda.

If you want real information about Oxford Community Schools, you’re in the right place.

We’re not here to win an argument. We’re here to make sure this community has what it needs to make good decisions for Oxford kids.

💙💛

We’ve been quiet for a bit. That ends now.

Oxford has been through a lot — and so have the families, staff, and students who show up every single day. What stands out most is their resilience. Their dedication. Their refusal to quit on these kids even when the adults in charge make it hard.

So let’s talk about where things actually stand.

There are real challenges — leaking roofs, aging equipment, potential mold issues, and facilities that are falling further behind the standards our students deserve. These aren’t easy problems. But they ARE solvable, and there’s a clear path forward.

A critical piece of that path is the non-homestead operating millage on the August 4th ballot. This is a renewal of existing funding — not new taxes — that supports approximately $7 million annually for Oxford Community Schools. It does not affect primary residences. It’s a standard funding mechanism used by every school district in Michigan. Businesses expect it. Communities depend on it.

Last week the board voted to place it on the ballot. That’s the right call.

One board member — Sara Beth Campagiorni — voted no. Twice. When asked why, she said she didn’t know. That she needed to do more research. That she needed to talk to more people.

Sara Beth. You’re ON the board. This is literally your job.

Kids are sitting under leaking roofs while a sitting board member can’t explain a no vote on a funding renewal that’s been in place since 2016. Google could have answered her questions in about 90 seconds.

As August 4th approaches, we’ll be here — keeping you informed, answering questions, and making sure this community has what it needs to make smart decisions for Oxford kids.

Our teachers and staff show up with incredible dedication every single day. Our students deserve learning environments that reflect that same commitment.

Stay informed. Talk to your neighbors. Ask questions.

Oxford is a strong community. Let’s keep building something better for our kids — even if some board members haven’t figured out how yet.

💙💛

Oxford voters will soon decide two crucial millage renewals that determine how well our schools can serve students — the Operating Millage, which keeps our schools running day-to-day, and the Sinking Fund Millage, which keeps them safe, secure, and standing.

Here’s something worth thinking about:

Will our current school board publicly support these measures that directly impact Oxford’s students, staff, and community — or will they stay quiet?

It’s a fair question.
When leaders hesitate to stand up for public education, it makes you wonder where their priorities truly are.

Because these proposals aren’t about politics — they’re about roofs that don’t leak, buses that run safely, classrooms that are warm in winter, and teachers who can do their jobs without cutting corners.

Oxford deserves leaders who believe in investing in our schools — all of them.

Your schools. Your community. Your vote.

Oxford voters — November 4 matters.
Two school millages on the ballot.
One community that cares.

✅ Learn more at oxfordschools.org

We’ve been quiet for a bit — because like you, we’re human. In these tense times, it’s easy to get distracted, but we always come back to two things we all agree on:

1️⃣ Public schools are the heart and foundation of our community.
2️⃣ Our kids deserve the very best.

This November 4th, Oxford voters have the chance to keep classrooms funded, teachers supported, and kids first. The graphic below explains how.

Your schools. Your community. Your vote.

Thoughts??

📌 Oxford BOE Meeting Recap – 8/26/25
Attendance: 6 members present (James absent)

🧑‍🏫 Superintendent’s Report – Dr. Milligan
2025–2030 Strategic Plan
• Shared video featuring staff testimonials — Why Oxford? ❤️
• Clear focus: supporting students and building up educators
• AI training underway to help teachers reduce time on admin tasks
• Back-to-school events included:
◦ Curriculum Night 📚
◦ Meet the Teams 🏈🎾🏐
◦ Pop in for Popsicles 🍦
◦ Welcome Back Breakfast 🍳
◦ First Day of School ✅
• Stadium Field expected to be completed this week; walk-through 8/27 @ 9 a.m.

📊 Presentations
Dr. Willemin – Safety & Security
• Overview available on the OCS website
Dr. VanStaveren – School Quality Survey (April–May 2025)
• Responses:
◦ Staff: 351
◦ Students: 1,609
◦ Parents: 471 (lower than last time)
• Focus areas: Academic Support • Leadership • Family Involvement • Communication • Safety & Behavior
• Overall Quality of Education rated in the 90th percentile 🎉
• Strengths:
◦ High Learning Standards
◦ Caring, Dedicated Staff
◦ Academic Support
◦ Positive Culture
◦ Safety & Security
• Needs Improvement:
◦ Communication
◦ Bully Prevention
◦ Consistent Discipline
◦ Responsiveness from Leadership
John Fitzgerald – 2017 Bond + Sinking Fund Updates�These are necessary, not optional:
• District-Wide: Flip locks, water system compliance
• OHS: Roof, PAC floor, redesigned entry
• OMS: Boiler, new doors
• Clear Lake: Boilers, roof
• DA, Lakeville, Leonard, OES: Air units, roofs, boilers
• Transportation Garage: Transformer�➡️ All of this is important context as we approach November’s vote 🗳️

❗️Questions We’re Asking
• Why did Admin have to be called up — repeatedly — to explain what had already been discussed at subcommittee meetings? Were board members not paying attention, not understanding, not taking notes… or just not bothering to ask questions ahead of time? This is basic governance — please organize yourselves better.
• And don’t get us started on Sarahbeth’s questions 🙄�We support inquiry, but the ongoing stream of vague, off-topic, or redundant questions is frustrating and unproductive. Being prepared isn’t optional when you’re making decisions that affect the entire district.

🧾 Committee Updates
Finance Committee:
• Budget calendar
• Credit card use reviewed
• Transparency reporting
• Insurance + Central Office RFPs coming soon
Governance Committee:
• Policy accreditation
• FOIA platform is now LIVE
• Agenda development, internal board communication discussed
• Possible board retreat (details TBD)

✅ Policy Votes & Approvals
• Field Trips (Mackinaw & Disney): Approved
• OVA Course Catalog: Approved (6–0)
• District Catalog: Approved (6–0)
• LCA Board Members: Approved (6–0)
• Student Expulsion Committee: Discussed

This week’s school board summary feels a little different…

On Friday, August 8, our community was shaken again by a shooting at a park north of Oxford — an incident that reopens wounds for students and families still healing from the 2021 tragedy. Just a few days later, on Tuesday, August 12, the board met against the backdrop of that fresh trauma. It feels important to pause and acknowledge the weight of repeated pain. This is about caring for our community’s well-being, not politics. We encourage everyone in our Oxford family to look out for one another. A simple act of kindness can make a real difference, and if anyone needs help — whether it’s a listening ear or resources — let’s make sure they know they are not alone.

Turning to the meeting itself: there were both highs and lows. And all members were in attendance!
The Strategic Plan presentation was strong — clear goals and thoughtful work. The safety update was also helpful and reassuring as we headed back to school. Thank you to the professionals who prepared both. With school having started this week, let’s extend each other extra grace, follow the district’s safety guidance, and keep our focus on supporting students and staff.

But process matters. Meetings run long because the board isn’t leading efficiently. We spent more than 20 minutes debating public-comment time limits. Mike A. even suggested a reasonable compromise — collect data and revisit; consider 3 minutes for arranged, 5 for non-arranged — but the chair seemed unwilling to adjust.

Ann’s reminder stood out: “I don’t do my own brain surgery.” Exactly. The board hires only the Superintendent to run the district; their role is governance from 10,000 feet — set policy, evaluate the superintendent, and keep the focus on student learning and the Strategic Plan. Too often lately, energy has gone to minutes and even colors (7/29) instead of milestones, metrics, and outcomes.

Sarabeth’s comments about past “sketchy” decisions or questioning why voters chose you don’t build confidence. What would? Preparation, curiosity, and a visible joy for education. Our students deserve a board that keeps meetings efficient, respects roles, and stays relentlessly focused on what matters most: them.

Oxford School Board Meeting Recap: July 29, 2025

Let’s start with the positives:
• ✅ An ASD Center is coming to Oxford Schools — a huge win for inclusion and support.
• ✅ A generous donation will fund brand-new turf for our students, athletes, and community to enjoy.
• ✅ The Board approved a resolution for a replacement operating millage (non-homestead only) and a 1-mill sinking fund (all properties) for the November ballot — a crucial investment in our schools’ future.

Those positives should have made for a productive meeting. Instead, what we witnessed was dysfunction and misinformed commentary:
• A trustee referred to our leadership team as “these people.” THESE PEOPLE are the professionals who keep our district running, advocate for our students, and serve as Oxford’s largest employer. Disrespect like this has no place in leadership.
• One trustee voted against both the turf lease and putting millages on the ballot, claiming millages increase district debt. That’s flat-out wrong. Millages are pay as you go and keep dollars in the general fund — protecting student resources instead of draining them.
• Time was wasted nitpicking about copiers while real issues went ignored. For instance, not a word about how this board plans to engage our state representatives before the October 1 budget deadline. If the state budget stalls, Oxford faces reduced or delayed funding. Where’s the urgency?
• A board member celebrated that our new buses weren’t electric by exclaiming “Praise Jesus.” The real issue isn’t fuel type — it’s making sure our students get to school safely.
• Despite some trustees preaching about being “trauma-informed,” several raised surprise grievances — from door locks to FOIA fees to agenda timelines — none of which were on the agenda. This is the opposite of trauma-informed: unpredictable, emotionally unsafe, and unfair to district leaders who had no opportunity to prepare responses.
• To top it off, one trustee publicly criticized the district’s attorneys — professionals who safeguard Oxford Schools in a complex educational system.

Meanwhile, others filled the air with hollow praise and word-salad speeches that solved nothing.

Here’s the bottom line:
Our kids and staff deserve a board that lifts them up — not one that tears them down or derails meetings with surprise ambushes. Even the board’s own self-assessment shows they know leadership is a weak spot. Tuesday’s meeting only proved the point.

Fifteen months from now, Oxford voters will face a choice:
👉 Keep settling for dysfunction, or
👉 Elect board members who will put students first.