Eight apply for board vacancy
Akron Public Schools Board of Education
By Jeff Gorman
The Akron Public Schools Board of Education interviewed eight candidates for its vacant school board position during the July 9 meeting.
Paul Allison’s resignation June 30 opened a seat on the board, which must name a successor before July 30. The board is expected to announce its choice after a special meeting tomorrow, July 13, at 7:30 a.m.
The eight candidates are:
• Cheryl Nash, a security officer at Akron General Medical Center;
• William Green, resident supervisor at Oriana House;
• Gary Wyatt, president of He Brought Us Out Ministry;
• Barbara Greene, principal of CommonGood Consulting;
• Lisa DeMali, shipment coordinator at FedEx Custom Critical;
• Jason Haas, research analyst for the Summit County Department of Community and Economic Development;
• Ginger Baylor, a substitute teacher; and
• Dianna Smith, a Kent State University business student.
Whomever the school board selects will serve for the rest of the calendar year. He or she also would have the option of running for election in November for the remaining two years of Allison’s term. The Summit County Board of Elections deadline to file for the November General Election is Aug. 23.
School board President Linda Kersker said the most important qualities she looks for are commitment, dedication, energy and fairness.
“We’re going to ask the candidates why they want to serve on the school board and what they hope to accomplish,” she said. “We will also ask if they are committed to gathering 300 signatures and running for the seat in November.”
Kersker added that running in the fall would not be a requirement to earn the seat for the rest of the year.
In other news, Superintendent Sylvester Small announced the new alternative middle school would be called the Akron Opportunity Center. It will open this fall at the former Jackson Elementary School with approximately 100 students.
Also, the school board approved the promotion of Kathy Maddex to principal of Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts. She had been the principal at Barrett Academy.
Before the meeting, the Joint Board of Review discussed the school reconstruction project.
The Joint Board approved an upgrade of the electrical system at Central-Hower High School, which closed in the spring of 2006. The building will be used as swing space during the construction of the other high schools, starting with East High School this fall. M&M Electrical Contractors, of Akron, will perform the upgrade at a cost of $23,612.
Also, the Joint Board approved spending $11,198 for the installation of electrical service at the new Innes Community Learning Center (CLC).
The Joint Board also approved a change order adding $90,000 to the cost of the new Robinson CLC. Several old house foundations were found on the site, and Great Lakes Crushing will remove them.
The next Akron Board of Education meeting is scheduled for July 23 at 5:30 p.m. at the Administration Building, 70 N. Broadway. The Joint Board will meet at 4 p.m.
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