Brooke Gray, an intervention specialist in the early learning program, said last fall’s expansion of full-day pre-kindergarten in Akron Public Schools was implemented with little to no foresight and ignored concerns of educators.
“We cannot support the expansion that’s so poorly executed that it threatens the quality of education that we’re trying to provide,” said Gray, who is still concerned about several issues in the program for the district’s youngest learners.
Holly Kulick, a preschool teacher at Essex, expressed worries that the school district may not fully grasp the lack of collaboration, support and resources experienced by teachers.
And Nikki Thompson said her son, who requires an individualized education program, was not welcomed back to Portage Path Community Learning Center after one day in an early learning classroom.
“This failure is on you,” said Thompson, who added that her son previously enjoyed success at Stewart. “My child was established with the district, and his needs were no secret. The fact that anyone thought mainstreaming him with 20 other children would work is preposterous.”
Their concerns — and others — expressed during the public comment section of Monday night’s Akron Board of Education meeting, were aimed at the school board’s seven members, as well as Superintendent Michael Robinson. Some went as far as accusing school or district administration of ignoring emails and phone calls for assistance. Many of their complaints echoed reporting by Signal Akron in September that highlighted staffing shortages and hygiene issues.
Robinson is unaware of ‘some’ issues raised about early learning program
Robinson took notes for most of the public comment period and later responded to some of the complaints after being pressed by board member Barbara Sykes, who expressed incredulity that he had not heard about some of the early learning program issues.
“I was not aware there were continued issues with some of these things,” Robinson said.
Sykes pushed Robinson for details about how his administration planned to address their concerns.
“We don’t have enough paraprofessionals,” Robinson said. “… When we did hire some, the priority at that time was to make sure we were placing them into pre-k.”
Paraprofessional staffing in early learning classrooms remains an issue
At the center of the complaints is an ongoing shortage of paraprofessionals, who are hired to assist teachers in the early learning program and ensure there’s adequate supervision so students’ safety and hygiene aren’t negatively impacted.
Their presence allows teachers to take their union-negotiated lunch and planning periods.
The Akron Education Association, the local teachers’ union, recently conducted a survey of its members in the early learning program. Notably half of respondents said they had not taken lunchtime for at least 20 days of the school year. Seventy percent said they had not had paraprofessional coverage for more than 20 days of the school year, and nearly 38% had not had a planning period for more than 20 days.
“Districts around us are prioritizing early learning and building expansive programs and hubs for their youngest learners,” Kulick said. “Akron Public Schools is doing the exact opposite.”
