Akron Public Schools, OH

Legal & Contracts Committee Meeting

The Akron Public Schools Legal & Contracts Committee will review and discuss contracts and legal matters, including a list of vendor contracts for August 2026. The agenda includes discussion items on Raptor Technologies, pay rate tables, and school security, as well as a list of contracts for discussion. The meeting will also cover previous meeting minutes and public comment.

• LeBron James Family Foundation - $1,239,800.00
• CDW Government LLC - $558,611.64
• Five Star Technology Solutions, LLC, dba Empower Learning - $337,375.00
• LAZEL, Inc., dba ExploreLearning LLC - $95,549.47
• DWA Recreation, Inc. - $41,790.00

Student Success Celebration Committee

The Student Success Celebration Committee will meet to approve previous minutes, hear public comment, and discuss the Akron Council PTA and Spring 2026 Elementary OST Perfect Scores. The next meeting is scheduled for September 16, 2026.

• Approval of minutes from June 17, 2026
• Discussion of Akron Council PTA
• Discussion of Spring 2026 Elementary OST Perfect Scores

Finance and Capital Management Committee Meeting

The Finance and Capital Management Committee will review the July 2026 financial report, the 2026 commercial paper filing, and the financial forecast for FY27. They will also discuss a proposed $70,125 transfer from the general fund to the athletic fund, and receive updates on several construction projects. The meeting is informational and procedural, with no final votes expected.

• July 2026 financial report presented by Treasurer/CFO R. Wayne Bowers II
• 2026 Commercial Paper Report Filing per ORC 135.142(C)
• Appointment of R. Wayne Bowers II as Public Records Custodian for FY2027
• Proposed $70,125 transfer from General Fund to Interscholastic Athletic Fund
• Updates on Buchtel Press Box, Pfeiffer/Miller South, and North High School construction

Rules Committee Meeting

The Akron Public Schools Rules Committee will meet to approve previous minutes, hear public comment, and discuss a range of personnel recommendations and resolutions, including for professional staff, substitutes, support staff, and security. The meeting is scheduled for August 17, 2026, at 5:30 pm in the board room.

• Approval of minutes from August 3, 2026
• Personnel recommendations for professional staff and administrators
• Personnel recommendations for substitute teachers and tutors
• Personnel recommendations for support staff, paraprofessionals, and child nutrition
• Division recommendations for resolutions and motions

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

The Akron Board of Education will hold a regular meeting to conduct district business, including approving previous meeting minutes, receiving reports from the superintendent and treasurer, and acting on consent agenda items. The consent agenda includes numerous personnel recommendations: retirements, resignations, new hires, transfers, and salary revisions for professional staff, as well as employment actions for administrative and support positions. The meeting is primarily procedural, with no major policy decisions or public hearings listed.

• Approval of minutes from July 25 and July 27, 2026 meetings
• New teacher hires for 2026-2027 with salaries: Haley Ciarlariello $48,967.10, James Harris $75,555.75, Allison Klein $72,894.38, Ryan Logan $48,967.10, Felicia Mercado $66,721.59, Samantha Pixler $48,967.10
• Salary revisions: Steven Kreiner from $60,985.10 to $83,407.62, Anna Everly from $76,340.79 to $83,407.62
• Employment of administrative specialists: John Dawson $56.97/hr, Julia Mann and Megan Mannion $431.14/day
• Reappointment of ESL teachers (Title III and Refugee School Impact Grant) at $37.98/hr

Policy Committee Meeting

The Akron Public Schools Policy Committee meets to review and discuss draft policies on purchasing, administrative leave, and public complaints. The committee also approves minutes from previous meetings.

• Review of draft Policy 6320 (Purchasing and Bidding)
• Review of draft Policy 3139 (Administrative Leave)
• Review of draft Policy 9130 (Public Complaints)
• Approval of June 1, 2026 Policy Committee Meeting minutes
• Approval of June 12, 2026 Special Policy Committee Meeting minutes

Instructional Policy & Student Achievement Committee Meeting

The Instructional Policy & Student Achievement Committee will review curriculum updates and professional learning initiatives. The meeting includes discussions on measuring student achievement and a request for a future agenda item regarding Ohio's voucher programs.

• Approval of July 6, 2026 meeting minutes
• Curriculum and instruction updates regarding instructional priorities and student/family supports
• Instructional personnel and professional learning initiatives and accountability systems
• Data, assessment, and student achievement success measurements
• Future agenda item request: How Ohio's Voucher Programs Affect Akron Public Schools

Rules Committee Meeting

The Akron Public Schools Rules Committee will meet on August 3, 2026, at 6:30 pm in the board room. The meeting is procedural, with no substantive decisions listed. The committee will review personnel recommendations from various divisions and approve previous meeting minutes from July 20, 2026.

• Approval of previous meeting minutes (July 20, 2026)
• Review of personnel recommendations across multiple divisions (treasurer, professional staff, paraprofessionals, child nutrition, maintenance/operations/transportation, security, tutors, substitute teachers, support staff)

Instructional Policy & Student Achievement Committee Special Meeting

The Instructional Policy & Student Achievement Committee will hold a special meeting to discuss and receive information on the i-Ready and mCLASS (DIBELS) assessment tools. No votes or decisions are scheduled; the item is presented for informational purposes only.

• Discussion of i-Ready and mCLASS (DIBELS) reading assessments as an information item

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

The Board of Education will consider approving the financial report for June 2026. The meeting includes personnel recommendations for various retirements, resignations, and new hires for the 2026-2027 school year.

• Approval of the June 2026 Financial Report
• Retirement of Clara Copeland, Academy Principal HS at Firestone CLC
• Employment of 20 professional staff members with salaries ranging from $48,967.10 to $102,064.70
• Resignations of 11 professional and administrative staff members
• Leaves of absence for Melissa Billington and Jamie Neal

SPECIAL BOARD MEETING - BOARD RETREAT & ORIENTATION

The Board of Education will meet for a retreat to review goals and objectives for Fiscal Year 2027 presented by the Superintendent and Treasurer. The meeting also includes new board orientation via presentations from various district departments.

• Superintendent and Treasurer's goal setting for the 2026-2027 school year
• Department presentations on Safety and Security, Communications, Academics, Business Affairs, Human Resources, and Technology

Rules Committee Meeting

The Akron Public Schools Rules Committee will consider a resolution to authorize contracts with parents for transporting their children, paying a rate of $636.75 per student for the 2026-2027 school year.

• Approval of previous committee minutes
• Personnel recommendations for various staff categories
• Resolution to authorize contracts with parents for student transportation
• Discussion of resolutions and motions
• Public comment period

Legal & Contracts Committee Meeting

The committee will review and discuss various service and vendor contracts for July 2026. These items include educational software, staffing, and facility maintenance.

• Innovative Roofing Solutions contract for $844,583.00 (Betty Jane, David Hill, and Resnik CLCs)
• CDW Government LLC contract for $613,440.00
• Multiple Vendors contract for $800,000.00 (McKeon Education Group and PSI Associates, Inc.)
• Multiple Vendors contract for $525,000.00 (ABC Therapy, Ltd, Amergis Healthcare Staffing, Inc., Flagstar Staffing Inc., and Swallow & Speech Solutions, LLC)
• Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio contracts for $155,000.00 and $309,328.84

SPECIAL BOARD MEETING - Cancelled

The Akron Public Schools Board of Education called a special meeting to publicly discuss the selection of subcontractors for a school building construction project and to consider a possible resolution concerning the guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for the Pfeiffer/Miller South construction project. Action may be taken on these items. The meeting was scheduled for July 13, 2026 at 4:45 pm in the Board Room, 10 North Main Street, but is listed as cancelled.

• Selection of subcontractors for a school building construction project
• Possible resolution on the GMP for the Pfeiffer/Miller South construction project
• Potential action arising from the executive session

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

The Board of Education will consider several personnel recommendations, including the employment of new professional staff for the 2026-2027 school year. The meeting also includes the approval of previous meeting minutes and reports from various district committees.

• Employment of 13 professional staff members with salaries ranging from $29,151.34 to $75,555.75
• Reinstatement of Anne Alexander as Art Teacher at an annual salary of $103,148.12
• Approval of resignations for 14 professional staff members and 2 administrators
• Funding assignments for six teachers under the Ohio Preschool Program and Early Childhood Special Education
• Approval of meeting minutes from June 22, July 1, and July 6, 2026

The Board approved the consent agenda containing treasurer, personnel, division, and business affairs recommendations. The meeting included discussions on construction amendments and staff reductions.

• Approved previous meeting minutes from June 22, July 1, and July 6 (Action)
• Approved Consent Agenda for Treasurer, Personnel, Division, and Business Affairs (Action)
• Addressed Pfeiffer Miller South Construction Project GMP Amendment #2 (Action/Information)
• Addressed McKinney-Vento job description revisions (Action/Information)
• Addressed partial reduction in force for Engagement Specialist (Action/Information)

SPECIAL BOARD MEETING

This special board meeting will publicly discuss the selection of subcontractors for a school building construction project. The board will then convene in executive session to discuss security arrangements and emergency response protocols. Possible action may be taken after the executive session.

• Public discussion on subcontractor selection for a school building construction project
• Executive session to discuss security arrangements and emergency response protocols
• Possible action from executive session

The board appointed Nathan Jarosz as Treasurer Pro Tempore. The vote on a construction contract amendment was delayed until the next regular meeting due to legal and financial concerns raised by members.

• Appointed Nathan Jarosz as Treasurer Pro Tempore (6-0)
• Delayed vote on GMP Amendment #2 to C.T. Taylor contract until July 13
• Recessed into Executive Session regarding security protocols (6-0)
• Adjourned meeting at 8:21 PM (6-0)

Rules Committee Meeting

The Akron Public Schools Rules Committee will consider approval of previous minutes, hear public comment, and discuss recommendations and resolutions covering personnel (including professionals, substitutes, support staff, and security) as well as business affairs recommendations. No specific dollar amounts or project names are listed. The meeting is primarily procedural with a focus on staffing updates.

• Approval of previous meeting minutes from June 15, 2026
• Discussion of personnel recommendations for professional staff, administrators, substitute teachers, tutors, and support staff
• Discussion of personnel recommendations for child nutrition, maintenance/operations/transportation, and security
• Discussion of business affairs recommendations and division resolutions & motions
• Agenda includes updates, unfinished business, and new business sections

Instructional Policy & Student Achievement Committee Meeting

The Instructional Policy & Student Achievement Committee discusses several items including a plan for online instruction to make up calamity days (needs board approval by August 1), a review of Ohio's voucher system's impact on Akron Public Schools, and a new K-3 math diagnostic contract (mCLASS Math). Other topics include Firestone CLC pathway updates, the proposed 2027-2028 school calendar, and a foreign exchange policy. Most discussion items are informational and will move to other committees for action.

• Online Hours Makeup Plan - alternative plan to make up hours lost due to school closure, needs board approval by August 1
• Voucher discussion - review of Ohio's voucher system and impacts to Akron Public Schools
• Firestone CLC pathway update - IT & Cybersecurity Pathway of KSU Academy of Advanced Technology & Engineering
• mCLASS Math - contract for new State-approved K-3 math diagnostic assessment
• Proposed 2027-2028 school calendar - review and move to Rules Committee

SPECIAL BOARD MEETING

The Akron Public Schools Board of Education is holding a special meeting to go into executive session under Ohio law for the end-of-year evaluation of the Superintendent and Treasurer/CFO. The meeting includes procedural items such as roll call, pledge, and possible action following the closed session.

• Executive session for end-of-year evaluation of Superintendent and Treasurer/CFO per Ohio Revised Code 121.22(G)(1)

The board voted to recess into executive session, and the motion carried unanimously. After the executive session, the board voted to adjourn, and that motion also carried unanimously. No other items were discussed or decided.

• Recessed into executive session (motion carried, 6 votes)
• Adjourned the meeting (motion carried, 6 votes)

Special Finance and Capital Management Committee Meeting

The Special Finance and Capital Management Committee will discuss and consider the final appropriations for fiscal year 2026 totaling $681,002,101.24 across all funds, and receive information on temporary beginning appropriations for FY27. Public comment will be heard.

• FY26 final appropriations: $394,581,270.26 for General Fund, $62,081,480.35 for Special Revenue Funds, $15,777,505.67 for Debt Service, $102,363,697.11 for Capital Projects, $17,195,691.71 for Enterprise, $88,266,500.00 for Internal Service, $735,956.14 for Fiduciary
• FY27 temporary beginning appropriations: $97,500,000 for General Fund for July–September 2026
• Treasurer/CFO R. Wayne Bowers II presenting both finance updates
• Public comment opportunity at start of meeting

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

The Board is meeting to approve final appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, and temporary appropriations for the start of FY27. The body is also considering a new policy regarding Artificial Intelligence.

• Final FY26 General Fund appropriations totaling $394,581,270.26
• Approval of May 2026 Financial Report (Resolution #26-099)
• Proposed Policy 7540.09 regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Temporary FY27 General Fund appropriations for July, August, and September
• Cash transfers to the OFCC Maintenance, Unemployment, Liability Insurance, and Severance funds

The board approved the minutes from the previous meeting and the May 2026 financial report. The meeting also included the presentation of distinguished employee awards and committee reports.

• Approved June 8, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes (6-0)
• Approved May 2026 Financial Report (7-0)
• Presented Distinguished Employee Emeritus Certificates
• Received Superintendent's Report
• Received Treasurer's Report
• Received Committee Reports
• Received Consent Agenda Items
• Received Division Recommendations

Student Success Celebration Committee

The Student Success Celebration Committee will meet to approve previous minutes, hear public comment, and discuss the graduating class of 2026's high school valedictorians and students who achieved perfect scores on the Spring 2026 Ohio State Tests. No votes or financial decisions are on the agenda.

• Approval of minutes from May 20, 2026 meeting
• Discussion of Graduating Class of 2026 High School Valedictorians
• Discussion of Spring 2026 OST Perfect Scores
• Next meeting scheduled for August 19, 2026

Legal & Contracts Committee Meeting

The Legal & Contracts Committee will discuss a resolution for retaining legal services for FY27 and review a list of 22 contracts from vendors including food distributors, technology services, and transportation. The committee also considers an update to the van driver contract. Action is limited to discussion and information; no final votes are scheduled at this committee meeting.

• Resolution for the Retention of Legal Services for FY27
• Contracts for discussion: Alera Group, Centegix, Edmentum, Yondr, Inc., and 18 other vendors
• Van driver contract update with Buckeye Transportation Agreement 2025-2026
• Previous meeting minutes of May 20, 2026 for approval
• Next meeting set for July 15, 2026

Finance and Capital Management Committee Meeting

The Finance and Capital Management Committee will discuss FY26 final appropriations and FY27 temporary beginning appropriations totaling $402,890,588.88. Cash transfers among funds, the May 2026 financial report, and updates on the Buchtel Press Box and Pfeiffer/Miller South projects are also on the agenda. Public comment is scheduled.

• FY27 temporary beginning appropriations of $402,890,588.88 for all funds
• Approval of FY26 final appropriations
• Cash transfers: $1,752,180 from Permanent Improvement to OFCC Maintenance, $100,000 to Unemployment, $40,000 to Liability Insurance, up to $150,000 to Severance
• Update on Buchtel Press Box construction
• Update on Pfeiffer/Miller South project

Rules Committee Meeting

The Akron Public Schools Rules Committee will meet to approve previous minutes, hear public comment, and discuss multiple personnel recommendations (including professional staff, substitutes, support staff, and security) along with business affairs recommendations. New business includes a proposed Policy 7540.09 on artificial intelligence.

• New Policy 7540.09 on artificial intelligence
• Treasurer Recommendations
• Professional Staff and Administrators Personnel Recommendations
• Business Affairs Recommendations (Resolutions & Motions)
• Personnel recommendations for Substitute Teachers, Support Staff, Paraprofessionals, Child Nutrition, Maintenance/Operations/Transportation, and Security

Special Policy Committee Meeting

The Akron Public Schools Special Policy Committee is meeting to discuss Policy 7540.09 regarding Artificial Intelligence ("AI").

• Discussion of Policy 7540.09 - Artificial Intelligence ("AI")

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

The board will consider consent agenda items including resignations of one administrator and four teachers, employment of new professional staff for 2026-2027, and hiring of summer school and extended-year program staff. Committee reports and routine approvals are also on the agenda. The meeting is largely procedural with no major policy decisions listed.

• Resignation of Asst Principal Elizabeth Collins (Innes CLC) and teachers Andrew Neff, Morgan Powers, Samantha Secura, Tracey Starks
• Employment of new teacher Lisa Cuddy at $50,690.25 per year starting Aug 24, 2026
• Reinstatement of three staff: Kallan Ertley ($63,959.19), Sara Schaefer ($71,465.08), Janice Weaver ($103,937.97)
• Hiring of summer school staff (counselors, credit recovery coordinators, Trailblazers teachers) at $37.24–$37.98 per hour
• Funding assignment for ESL Refugee Program Manager Noorulbari Mal from Title III grant for 2026-2027

The minutes record only the approval of the May 26, 2026 meeting minutes (6-0, 1 absent). The remainder of the session contained informational updates on literacy initiatives, a new YMCA afterschool partnership starting August 27, and committee schedules. Public comments addressed staff retention and a contract grievance, but no other substantive decisions were recorded.

• Approved May 26, 2026 meeting minutes (6-0, 1 absent)

Policy Committee Meeting

The Akron Public Schools Policy Committee will consider several new and updated policies, including a new policy on artificial intelligence (Policy 7540.09), updates to digital accessibility (Policy 7540.02), and a proposed administrative leave policy. They will also discuss policies on public complaints (Policy 9130) and purchasing and bidding (Policy 6320), as well as revisit old business items on reemployment of retired administrators, vendor relations, and independent contractor operators. The meeting begins at 5:30 pm on June 1, 2026, in the board room.

• Discussion of new Policy 7540.09 on Artificial Intelligence
• Discussion of Policy 9130 on Public Complaints
• Update to Policy 7540.02 on Digital Content and Accessibility
• Discussion of Policy 6320 on Purchasing and Bidding
• Proposed new policy on Administrative Leave (po1139, po3139, po4139)

Rules Committee Meeting

The Akron Public Schools Rules Committee will meet to approve previous meeting minutes, hear public comment, and discuss a six-month overview of district operations. The main action items are a large slate of personnel recommendations covering professional staff, support staff, substitutes, tutors, and other employee categories, along with business affairs resolutions and motions.

• Approval of Rules Committee minutes from May 18, 2026
• Overview of the last six months of district operations
• Personnel recommendations for professional staff and administrators
• Personnel recommendations for support staff, paraprofessionals, and security
• Business Affairs Recommendations and resolutions

Instructional Policy & Student Achievement Committee Meeting

The committee will discuss the launch of Akron After School PLUS, an expanded afterschool program for East Cluster K-5 students at four locations starting Fall 2026, with free or reduced cost options. They will also review policy changes on weighted grades for CTAG courses and class rank determination for the Ohio Guaranteed Admissions Program. Updates on preliminary Ohio State Test performance and i-Ready diagnostic data are scheduled.

• Akron After School PLUS expansion for East Cluster K-5 students at four schools, pre-registration open through June 30, 2026
• Review of Policy 5421 to add weighted grades for CTAG courses
• Review of Policy 5430 to include top 5% and top 10% class rank for Ohio Guaranteed Admissions and Governor’s Merit Scholarship
• Update on preliminary Ohio State Test performance, i-Ready diagnostic data, and Transcend survey results from over 11,400 students
• Proposed alternative school calendars for Akron Early College and STEM High School as a future agenda item