Barbara A. DeMarco

Oakland Schools serves 28 local school districts, a number of public school academies and nonpublic schools in Oakland County. Every district has a distinct character, arising from its unique community of learners and educators. Yet every one of the 28 districts shares a common goal: providing a quality education to every student. Oakland Schools works with these districts, nonpublic schools and public school academies to help each one preserve its own unique identity, respect its special needs, and deliver quality educational programs to every student in Oakland County. To do this, the intermediate school district works closely with personnel at every level. They work with referent groups whose members may be superintendents or maintenance workers, bus drivers or teachers. They give every group their full attention, letting their needs dictate many of their services. At other times they serve in a leadership role, sharing the most current and best thinking on many educational issues with local school personnel through consultation, professional development workshops and classes.