Royal Oak’s high school and middle school will have new faces stepping into familiar positions this fall.

Derek Smith will be the new Director of Athletics and Activities at Royal Oak Schools. Most recently, Smith was an athletic director and teacher at a middle school in Utica Community Schools.

“All of us at Royal Oak Schools look forward to Mr. Smith bringing his wealth of knowledge to Royal Oak, his hometown,” said Royal Oak High School Principal Don Loomis. “We know that his past experiences and community connections will strengthen our athletic and activities initiatives as he builds our programs toward greatness. We are thrilled to have him on board.”

Kyrstin Jensen will be stepping into the role of Band Director at the high school, continuing a legacy of leadership from her father David Jensen, who retired in June after 33 years in the district.

Kyrstin has served as director of the Raven Marching Band the past two years and assisted her father with the band for several years prior to that.

Her move leaves a vacancy at the middle school where Doug Engle will be stepping in as band director. He teaches at Upton and Oakland elementary schools and leads the sixth grade orchestra at the middle school.