The first evaluation of Akron Public Schools’ Superintendent Michael Robinson, who began his job last August, praises him as a strong advocate for children and families, but runs just three pages long.
The evaluation, approved by school board members Monday in a 6-0 vote, is 517 words long — it’s largely a rubric, with bullet-pointed comments that compare Robinson’s work to Ohio superintendent evaluation standards and specific goals drawn from five cornerstones of the district’s Blueprint for Excellence.
That compares to the 26-page evaluation of the district’s last superintendent, Christine Fowler-Mack, which included paragraphs of explanation and the superintendent’s response. After the scathing review became public in July 2022, Fowler-Mack was put in a tenuous position and ultimately left the district.
“We’re not trying to repeat anything that happened with Christine Fowler-Mack,” School Board President Diana Autry said in explaining the more succinct format for Robinson’s evaluation. “We’re not trying to create the spectacle that we had.”
Instead, Autry said, the district used a process recommended by the Ohio Department of Education and a consultant from the Ohio School Boards Association to distill their conversations about Robinson and Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer Steve Thompson into the documented feedback.
Thompson’s evaluation was not made available Tuesday, though Signal Akron asked for both leaders’ evaluations in a public records request Monday and reiterated the request for Thompson’s evaluation Tuesday.
Superintendent praised for communication with residents on redistricting
In Robinson’s evaluation, the superintendent was praised for performing his duties “in a competent and capable manner,” for establishing a good rapport with community leaders and for engaging with community members, including parents, to address concerns.
Autry lauded the level of communication he had with residents regarding Akron Public Schools’ redistricting plan, when Robinson held more meetings than were required in order to receive community feedback about the proposal.
“He was just willing to go out and meet those folks,” she said. “I personally have heard a lot of good feedback. It’s about his visibility.”
Other feedback in the evaluation stated that Robinson should work to build strong, collaborative and cooperative relationships with community members and staff as well as with the members of the school board and Thompson. He should also ensure his communications are “professional, clear, direct, respectful and constructive,” the evaluation stated. And he should inform and engage the public while highlighting the school district’s accomplishments.
The district also listed the need to develop “creative and innovative solutions” to address aging buildings and facilities as an opportunity for improvement.
Robinson’s evaluation examined his performance in the areas of vision and continuous improvement; communication and collaboration; policies and governance; instruction and student achievement; and resources.
The superintendent succeeded in creating a strategic plan and collecting feedback and input on it, something Autry praised him for in his first year on the job, calling the speed at which he worked to do so amazing.
“It gave us some focus that was long overdue and needed,” she said.
He centralized marketing within the district, part of a goal to improve internal and external communications and marketing, and created a principal-of-the-year program as well as a feature teacher program, something Autry said had also earned high marks. Teachers, she said, appreciate his acknowledgement of their work.
Robinson also created literacy initiatives such as launching a book-of-the-month program, focused on improving algebra scores and took steps to expand pre-Kindergarten, work he received credit for as part of a goal related to enhancing student behavior and attendance.
Other high points that were not attached to a specific goal included Robinson’s hiring of a labor relations director, taking over the facilities function and providing professional development opportunities regarding policies and operations.
Robinson not required to write a response to his evaluation
Robinson, who makes $240,000 annually, declined a request for comment about the evaluation. In a statement, he said the district has made academic gains because of hard work across the district. He will continue to collaborate with board members, union leaders, teachers, staff and community members, he said, to move the district forward.
“Despite the demands we have faced this year, the good days have outweighed our challenges; I have very much enjoyed my first year at APS and have a great appreciation and affinity for the hard work done by our board and staff,” he said.
Robinson did not provide a written response to his evaluation; Autry said board members discussed it with him prior to approving it. They want to make sure Robinson has an opportunity to grow in his role, she said.
“I know it’s been challenging at times, but good work isn’t easy and change is hard, I know,” she said. “I am confident we have the right person at the helm.”
The evaluation did not include new goals for the superintendent. Autry said new goals will be in place before the beginning of the coming school year at the end of August.
