Akron Public Schools officials met with parents, neighbors, teachers and staff Monday about the redistricting proposal that would change school boundaries and close some buildings. The Monday meeting was held at Firestone Park Elementary School, one of the buildings slated for closure in the 2024-25 plan.
People gathered in the Firestone Park auditorium as Superintendent Michael Robinson Jr. explained the redistricting plan. Chief of Academics Tamea Caver, Chief of Staff Angela Carter, Director of Student & Family Services Wanda Lash and Transportation Coordinator Justin Miller each spent time discussing what redistricting means for families and students.
Many attendees showed concern for Firestone Park Elementary’s preservation – the building has been part of the Akron school system since it opened in 1919. The land the school sits on was deeded to the Board of Education by Harvey Firestone, who frequently visited the school, according to the APS website.
“This is such a historic neighborhood, and a historic school,” said Judie Hershey, a resident of Firestone Park for 34 years.
Aaron Uhl, a member of Progress Through Preservation of Greater Akron, was the first to speak during the question-and-answer portion of the meeting. He asked APS leadership about their plans for the building. Although Uhl did not attend Firestone Park, he said he has heard many stories of the school and how it is woven into the identity of the community.
Firestone Park resident Nikki Woodley said she hopes the district keeps an eye on the building.
“We’re concerned about vandalism and those in the community that may not mean well,” Woodley said. “So our hope is that the building is protected by either the school district or the city, someway, somehow.”
Firestone Park Elementary parent Heather Stala said she is concerned about her daughter’s friendships and questioned how redistricting benefits Akron’s children.
Superintendent Robinson replied that the students need technologically advanced schools to improve learning.
“I love the building, it’s a beautiful building. It’s aged in terms of the years that it’s been standing, and we want to make sure that we’re able to preserve it in one way or another,” Robinson said. “But at the same time, we need to make sure our kids are getting an equal opportunity in education.”
Details of the redistricting plan
The plan will change attendance zones and also close Pfeiffer Elementary School, along with Stewart and Essex Early Learning Centers. During Monday’s meeting, Robinson said the proposed plan creates a balance in enrollment and improves outdated school facilities.
Other changes the plan proposes include:
- Firestone Park students will be sent to McEbright, Voris or Glover community learning centers in the Garfield cluster. Essex students who previously attended Harris-Jackson CLC in North Hill will return to Harris-Jackson.
- David Hill CLC will rejoin the Garfield cluster, its original home, from the East cluster. It will be an option for Firestone Park students to attend. Fifth-grade graduates of David Hill would attend Innes CLC.
- Some North cluster elementary school students will move from Harris-Jackson CLC to Barber CLC in the East cluster.
- Some students at Forest Hills CLC will move to Harris-Jackson CLC. Jennings CLC and North High School attendance zones will not change.
- Portage Path CLC would rejoin the Buchtel cluster and maintain its standing as an International Baccalaureate School.
Students affected by redistricting will be able to apply for enrollment in other schools between Jan. 29 and Feb. 9. Those who opt into open enrollment won’t be provided bus transportation; others who are reassigned will receive transportation to school if they have to travel more than 2 miles to attend.
A third and last meeting to discuss the redistricting plan will be held Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the East Community Learning Center auditorium at 80 Brittain Road in Akron. Parents can share their feedback until Jan. 7 or ask questions about the proposal by emailing redistrictingquestions@apslearns.org
Firestone Park Elementary Principal Amber Steele said she is sure each student will benefit from the redistricting plan.
“I’m confident that our students will be taken care of with our APS colleagues at the buildings that they’re being assigned to,” Steele said.
