The Akron Public Schools’ Board of Education moved quickly to secure its next treasurer, removing the interim tag from Wayne Bowers after a special meeting of the board Friday evening.
Bowers, who previously ran the payroll department for the district, was selected over Todd Adkins, an assistant treasurer with the district. Bowers was elevated to interim treasurer in July after former treasurer Steve Thompson resigned.
“His interview really shined a light on his ability and how he can help navigate us through this financial crisis,” board member Gregory Harrison told Signal Akron. “I was pleasantly surprised of his vast knowledge and experience of complex finance issues.”
The board had planned another round of interviews for Monday, but there was no need after members interviewed and then hired Bowers. Ultimately, the board voted 4-1 to approve Bowers’ hire, with Rene Molenaur voting no based on the process the district used to select and hire him. Molenaur wanted more input from outside experts on the types of questions to ask candidates as well as the qualifications and experience they should possess.
Board President Carla Jackson and board members Harrison, Bruce Alexander and Diana Autry voted yes. Members Summer Hall and Barbara Sykes were not present.
Bowers was not immediately available for comment, but in a previous interview he told Signal Akron he was committed to dissecting and understanding how APS got into dire financial straits. By 2028, the district is expected to run a deficit of more than $45 million for the year and exhaust its reserves. By 2030, if nothing changes, the district’s revenues will be outstripped that year by its spending by more than $159 million, Bowers told the board during a presentation last week.
State law requires districts to maintain good spending habits while generally avoiding deficit spending. Ohio Revised Code states that school districts can be placed under Fiscal Watch, the second of three state-monitoring levels, if “the certified operating deficit exceeds 8% of the school district’s general fund revenue for the preceding fiscal year.”
“I know what is happening, I’m going to learn why it’s happening as I can,” Bowers said about the forecast. “That is where I will be working diligently.”
District fills two other critical spots
Earlier in the week, Superintendent Mary Outley recommended, and the board approved, the hiring of both a new assistant superintendent and an executive director of human resources.
Wanda Lash, who previously worked as the director of student and family services for the district, was elevated to assistant superintendent. She’s a longtime employee of the district, and will make $158,019.50 in her new role.
Chase Canfield was hired as the executive director of human resources from outside of the district. The position has been vacant since Yamini Adkins resigned in January of this year. He’ll make $183,155.73 in the job.
