AKRON, Ohio — The Board of Education for Akron Public Schools on Monday approved a restructuring plan that includes $24 million in budget cuts, including the elimination of 285 temporary and vacant jobs from the district.
Members voted to pass two of the three resolutions involving a reduction of force by a tally of 5-1, the third resolution of a reduction of force to teachers passed 6-1, with Bruce Alexander approving cuts to the number of teachers but abstaining on cuts to other employees. Rene Molenaur was the only member to vote no on all three resolutions.
The final vote came after more than three hours of discussion plus protests from employees and members of the community earlier in the day. The Akron Education Association held a rally near APS headquarters to speak out against the cuts, with union leader Patricia Shipe releasing the following statement to 3News:
"It has been a difficult and shocking week at Akron Public Schools. During a time when we should be celebrating the success of our students, instead we are surrounded by chaos and uncertainty. All the more intensified by the complete lack of transparency and communication on the part of Superintendent Robinson and his Administration as they target educator jobs. It is the Association’s belief that recent moves by this Administration have been directly aimed at eliminating professional educator jobs held by union members."
District leaders, however, say the cuts are necessary due to declining enrollment, staffing increases, increased operational costs, and labor expenditures that have led to a budget deficit. Of the 285 positions that will be eliminated, just over 200 involve the teachers union, with 65 of those coming through retirements or jobs that are currently unfilled.
A total of 52 teachers will be laid off, to be replaced in the classroom by teachers being transferred from APS' administrative headquarters. Those coming into schools have more seniority than the ones being laid off.
Read the full transition report:
APS adds that, in addition to cuts, it will need additional funding to keep the budget on track. It hopes that voters will pass a levy in the fall.
Watch Monday's full Board of Education meeting in the player below: