The Akron Board of Education approved an $80,000 settlement with a sexual harassment victim following a lengthy executive session Monday evening.
The settlement, which stems from a discrimination charge filed with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, will be paid within the next month, alongside reinstatement of 16.5 days of sick leave and reimbursement for two counseling sessions and co-pays of up to 20 additional sessions as covered by the employee’s health care plan.
Agreement comes after Akron school board reopens investigation
According to the settlement, the victim will not be assigned to work in the same area or have further contact with Tom Varney, who was disciplined late last month in relation to the victim’s complaint.
Varney, a grounds maintenance operator, was suspended for five days for violation of the district’s anti-harassment policy. The Akron Board of Education approved his suspension April 27. His suspension stems from complaints alleging sexual harassment of another district employee between Aug. 11-14, 2025.
Those complaints were investigated by the district, and Superintendent Mary Outley issued an administrative decision on Feb. 3 that found Varney’s alleged actions did not constitute sexual harassment.
The victim appealed the district’s decision to the Akron Board of Education, which, on Feb. 23, overturned Outley’s decision. After reopening the issue, the board approved disciplinary action of five days unpaid suspension against Varney.
School board president: ‘Our focus now must turn toward healing’
Varney is a member of the Service Employee International Union Local 1 for maintenance, grounds, custodial, warehouse and transportation employees. A request for comment from SEIU Local 1 was not returned Tuesday.
In a statement to Signal Akron, Board of Education President Barbara Sykes said the board recognizes and respects the courage of the individual who came forward to report the sexual harassment.
“Our focus now must turn toward healing — both for those directly affected and for our entire educational community,” she stated. “We are dedicated to fostering a safe, supportive environment where such issues are addressed swiftly and appropriately.”
