Akron.com

Akron Board refuses to share evaluation



AKRON — Akron Public Schools Board of Education President N.J. Akbar announced July 11 the board has completed the superintendent’s evaluation, however, he declined to provide details despite published reports of some negative assessments of Superintendent Christine Fowler-Mack.
Akbar stated the evaluation “will not be made public.”
[District officials did provide a copy of the evaluation several days after the request was made, but not by presstime.]
“Unfortunately, a personnel matter which the board intended to remain between it and it’s employee has become a public matter of discussion,” said Akbar. “Our board does not speak publically on personnel matters. An evaluation is a tool we use to better align the board’s vision and goals. Our process allows the board to share comments. Afterwards, we collectively have a conversation, and together the conversations will continue.”
Akbar acknowledged he could have used “alternative language” to share his mostly negative assessment of Fowler-Mack.
Also during the meeting, Board Vice President Derrick Hall discussed how Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funding may be used. Hall noted $83 million of the district’s $95 million share in funding is “committed” but not encumbered, and input from the public and especially from teachers is still being gathered.
In other business, the board approved:
• soliciting bids for projects that include a $2 million roof replacement project at the I PROMISE School, $420,000 in repairs at Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts and almost $3 million in improvements at various other schools;
• $32,861 in repairs to the four boilers at North High School by NBW Inc.;
• the purchase of educational resource materials and supplies for math tutoring of fourth- and fifth-grade scholars from Heinemann Professional Development at a cost of $111,271;
• a software maintenance agreement for $69,392 with AGM Energy Services through 2027;
• an agreement with Logicalis Inc. to upgrade the district’s network to a new Arista 100 Gig Switch to service all educational and business processes at a cost of $73,249, with $50,000 expected in grant funds to offset the cost from The Management Council;
• a service agreement for the repair of pressure-vessels, gas lines and steam lines for district boilers as needed by NBW Inc. for $60,000;
• a one year lease payment of $280,000 to The University of Akron for the use of National Inventors Hall of Fame STEM High School space at the former Central Hower High School;
• a one year $239,000 service contract with TNTP Inc. for virtual and in-person training sessions for the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Steering Team’s capacity to support schools;
• accepting the following: $84,130 from the GAR Foundation, Educator Initiative Grant (EIG) for seven schools to increase student achievement in core content areas by providing innovative and engaging learning opportunities; $250,000 from the Hewlett Foundation – APS Recovery Planning Grant to United Way of Summit & Medina to implement recovery activities through professional development, coaching, and networking; $25,000 from the Ohio Department of Education Parent Mentor Project Grant to help guide and mentor parents through the special education process and develop their skills as an advocate for their children; an increased allocation of $58,366 for a total of $283,646 from the County of Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services Board to provide prevention and wellness services; $10,000 from the High Schools That Work grant through the Ohio Department of Education to provide professional development to staff for the 2022-2023 school year; as well as donations of $300 from Steve and Samantha Gunkelman; $200 each from Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority for Project RISE to print street cards and Kimberly and David Cheng; $100 from Kris and Tona Senn; and $50 each from Mary Nitzsche, Jean Hansen, Barabar Mays and Frank and Vera Rebrovich and Barbara Mays; and
• numerous personnel items including retirement resignations from 12 teachers, the employment of six new teachers and moving four substitutes into full-time position, as well as supplemental contracts.
The next regular board meeting will take place July 25 at 5:30 p.m. at the Sylvester Small Administration Building, 10 N. Main St. It will also be available to watch online at youtube.com/akronschools.