Royal Oak High School principal suspended

Principal placed on paid administrative leave amid funds investigation

ROYAL OAK, Mich. – In a letter to students and families, the Royal Oak Schools superintendent announced the suspension of Royal Oak High School's principal.

The letter released Thursday informed families that principal Michael Greening was placed on paid administrative leave "due to the possibility of financial irregularities in student activities at Royal Oak High School."

"My son just told me the other day, 'He is my favorite administrator there,'" said Rachel Czajkowski, who has two students at the high school. "(Greening) has been here for years and I have never heard anything. I had another parent call me this morning and she was shocked."

The police are conducting an investigation into the financial "irregularities."

"At this point we are taking one step at a time," said Superintendant Shawn Lewis. "There are concerns about an account. We initiated an investigation and placed the person who oversees the account on a paid administrative leave."

Royal Oak police are investigating claims that money raised by various school groups and profits from year-long fundraisers can be accounted for.

Greening was place on leave the day after the district was dismissed for the holiday break.

Jim Moll has been named interim principal.

"This is not the type of situation that anybody wants to be involved in. We're sad," said Lewis. "But, again, we are committed to making sure that we have a complete, thorough and fair investigation.

Greening has worked in the district for 15 years and has held numerous leadership positions. He was named principal at the high school five years ago.

"You can't accuse him or say anything about him until you know for sure," said Czajkowski. "Because if nothing did happen, you know, it's really going to hurt him the rest of his career."

The fund under investigation is separate from the athletic department fund for money generated by sports programs.

The district has scheduled a reception to introduce Moll to parents and students on Jan. 3 at the high school's media center.