Akron’s Kenmore neighborhood can breathe a sigh of relief. The area is getting a new school.
After more than a month of doubt about whether the plan to build a new combined Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts and Pfeiffer Elementary on the site of the old Kenmore High School, the Akron Board of Education on Monday night approved an amended plan to move forward with the project as planned.
The district’s consideration of three options to address the budget shortfall — two of which would’ve moved Pfeiffer Elementary students to other schools in the district — was met with public outcry and protest.
Cuts will downsize the project. Akron Public Schools disclosed this spring the project was expected to cost between $10 million and $13 million more than originally budgeted and approved in July 2023 ($63 million).
Signal Akron previously reported on planned schematic cuts, which include downsizing the auditorium from 1,000 to 750 seats, reducing planned storage space and eliminating a black box theater.
“It’s uplifting for them to see promises being kept,” said Eleni Manousogiannakis, the executive director of Better Kenmore CDC. “I think the integration of an art school into Akron’s emerging Music Row is a great fit.”
Beyond contributing to Kenmore’s burgeoning music scene, the new school could provide an additional revenue stream for the district and corporate partnerships. Many of the College and Career Academy pathways in APS high and middle schools have corporate partners that share expertise, experience and opportunities.
“I think from the school’s perspective, they see it as a place for performances that students put on, but it is also a potential boon for the neighborhood,” said Tina Boyes, Akron’s Ward 9 representative.
Boyes said she’s still in favor of a larger theater, something she said could bring additional revenue to the neighborhood and the school district. She said the Lakewood Civic Auditorium, housed in Lakewood High School, is a model that APS could replicate.
“A thousand-seat auditorium is the missing venue size in Akron,” Boyes said. “There are organizations and radio stations that are willing to help program that space.”
School or community learning center?
After a back and forth led to a resolution to continue the Kenmore project largely as planned, the item was amended to ensure the new building would be a community learning center.
That likely will help APS access the Local Finance Initiative Funds, a tax plan under former Mayor Don Plusquellic that helped the city rebuild dozens of its public schools with state and federal funding by designating them as community centers. The district is expected to receive most of the $18 million in coming months to support the Kenmore project, but no agreement has been finalized.
APS refines guidebook for CLC facility rentals
The school board also approved a new guidebook for organizations and community members to rent space at any of its dozens of community learning centers. The new book is streamlined, coming in at 11 pages.
The revised guidebook was a collaboration between APS, the City of Akron and the Youth Success Summit that polled more than 70 local organizations to determine where previous guidance fell short.
Facility rentals will no longer be completed via paper and pencil. Instead, those interested in renting a CLC space will apply online.
Resolution involving former superintendent’s investigation report passes
The board also spent upwards of 20 minutes discussing a resolution to waive attorney-client privilege for a memo that outlined the options the board and district had for terminating former Superintendent Michael Robinson’s employment. The resolution named board member Gregory Harrison and Signal Akron.
Ultimately, the resolution passed 4-2, with members Barbara Sykes and Rene Molenaur voting no. Harrison abstained from voting.