Position Vacancy for the Rochester Community Schools Board of Education

ROCHESTER, MI, March 4, 2022 - – The Board of Education of the Rochester Community School District is actively seeking to fill a vacant position following the resignation of Trustee Mike Zabat. All eligible candidates are encouraged to apply.

The Board will follow the Revised School Code and Michigan Election Law in appointing an eligible candidate to fill the trustee position. When the appointee takes the Oath of Office, his or her term will begin immediately and continue through December 31, 2022.

For consideration as a candidate, the application must be received by the President of the Board of Education of the Rochester Community School District by 12:00pm on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. Postmark dates will not be considered. Methods of return include any of the following:

1. Online (preferred method): To access the application, go to:

Online Form

2. Hardcopy: The application is attached. Drop off or mail to: Rochester Community School District Administration Building, 501 W. University Drive, Rochester, MI 48307. All packets should be addressed: “To the Attention of Kevin Beers, President, Board of Education of the Rochester Community School District.”


General duties and responsibilities of a Board member include: coordinating initiatives with the superintendent of schools; establishing policy for the district on the advice of legal counsel; adopting the budget and aligning funding priorities with district goals; determining school facility needs; and responding to community ideas.

Commitments include: attending and preparing for the Board of Education meetings and closed sessions; participating in school assignments, which average approximately six meetings or activities per year; participating in district liaison assignments, which average one per month (i.e. seats on committees within the greater Rochester area or within the Oakland Schools organization); and, joining in commemoration ceremonies, to include commencements and honors events. Other duties may include approximately two additional meetings or activities per month.

To be eligible to serve on the Rochester Community Schools Board of Education, candidates must be a qualified school elector. Being a qualified school elector means a candidate must be a registered voter in the district. Additionally, the candidate must be at least 18 years of age, a citizen of the United States of America, a resident of the state of Michigan for at least 30 days, and a resident of the Rochester Community School District.

Any individual who has been convicted of a felony involving dishonesty, deceit, fraud, or a breach of the public trust related to an elective office or position of government employment is disqualified from service on the Board.

The application timeline is as follows:

Wednesday, March 2, at 2:30pm - Vacancy announced to the community

Wednesday, March 16, at 12:00pm - Deadline for receipt of applications

Wednesday, March 23
6:00pm - Open house to meet the candidates.
6:30pm - Candidate interviews, with Board meeting following

Additional district and application information is available on the district website at:

www.rochester.k12.mi.us

Mike Zabat’s service spans nearly a decade

Mike Zabat has honorably served as a trusted member of the Board of Education of the Rochester Community School District since 2012 where he held officer positions at multiple junctures.

Earlier this week, Zabat announced his resignation in an email to the Board of Education. He wrote: “I am writing to inform you that for personal reasons, I am resigning from my position on the RCS Board of Education effective March 1, 2022. It has been an honor to serve the community for over nine years, and it was a pleasure serving with you and many of the current and former Board members over the years. I want to express my gratitude and admiration for the RCS administration and staff for their tireless efforts to provide an excellent education for every child in the district. I wish you good fortune in the years to come.”

Superintendent Dr. Robert Shaner acknowledged Zabat’s contributions to the district.

“We thank Mike for his visionary leadership, sound judgment, integrity, and kind heart. He is truly a servant leader who has made a difference in our community. We wish him all the best,” said Dr. Shaner.

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Rochester Community Schools Mission

To provide a quality education in a caring atmosphere for students to attain the necessary skills and knowledge to become lifelong learners and contribute to a diverse, interdependent and changing world.