The Akron Board of Education spent more than seven hours in executive session this week — on two different days — discussing “personnel matters.”
So far, the board has not shared potential outcomes with the public.
Although seven hours over a short period of time is unusual, it’s not illegal.
Boards of education are allowed to enter into executive session, an intentionally opaque process, to “consider the appointment, employment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official,” according to the Ohio School Boards Association.
On Wednesday night, outgoing Board President Diana Autry refused to share insight or details about issues the board considered privately for four hours. The special meeting of the board marked its last scheduled meeting of the full board this year.
Superintendent Michael Robinson did not attend Wednesday’s special board meeting.
Board appoints temporary president to oversee internal election
During the public section of the meeting, the board unanimously appointed Bruce Alexander to serve as president pro tempore — a temporary position a member of the board is elected to by colleagues. Alexander will serve in the role at the next regularly scheduled board meeting on Jan. 13 while board members elect or reelect a board president and vice president.
Autry, the outgoing president, did not say whether she would seek re-election. Her term on the board ends on Dec. 31, 2025.
