March 10 Akron Board of Education meeting
Covered by Documenter Jackie Jantzi (see his notes here)
Taylor Blair offered three ways for the Akron Board of Education to take action against bullying in the district: Strengthen the district’s anti-bullying policy; create a student advisory council; and focus on addressing the root causes of frequent absences.
The senior from Ellet Community Learning Center, a student member of the school board, her high school’s scholar board and student council, asked that the district take a stronger approach to holding students accountable for bullying and protecting students who are victims of it.
“Bullying is affecting attendance, mental health and overall student success,” Blair said during the March 10 school board meeting. Despite the support many students feel and receive at Ellet CLC, bullying continues to be an issue there, she said.
Nationwide, 1 of 5 students reported being bullied
Bullying in schools is a problem across the United States, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics. More than 19% of students ages 12 to 18 reported being bullied at school during the 2021-2022 school year.
“Students speak up [about bullying] but feel that nothing changes,” said Blair, who said she has heard the concern from some of her peers.
The district’s current anti-bullying policy prohibits harassment, intimidation or bullying toward a student by other students, staff or third parties. Bullying is a Level III offense that can be punishable by suspension.
Students, parents or guardians of a student may file a report with any school staff member or administrator if they suspect harassment, intimidation or bullying. School officials then forward the report to the school principal for review, investigation and action. Officials last updated this policy in 2012.
As part of the anti-bullying policy, Akron Public Schools publishes a Semi-Annual Bullying Report that lists the number of bullying incidents at each CLC that result in investigations by the school administration via the district’s formal process.
The most recent report documented 68 bullying incidents across the district at the end of the first quarter of the 2024-2025 school year. Findley CLC had the most, with 12 reported incidents. Innes CLC was the second-highest with nine documented incidents, while Buchtel CLC, Ellet CLC and Garfield CLC each reported seven incidents of bullying.
Student Council may help agains bullying in Akron Schools
Blair proposed the creation of a student advisory council, because “students deserve a seat at the table, where they can help make decisions about their education and well-being.”
She emphasized the need to focus on the root causes of students’ frequent absences from school and reframing attendance around belonging, rather than punishing students who are regularly absent by not allowing them to attend events such as field trips and prom.
“If students feel safe, supported and valued, they will be more likely to attend school every single day,” she said.
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Board president Carla Jackson asked to speak more with Blair about her idea for the student advisory council. Board members Summer Hall and Diana Autry both mentioned looking at current practices to see how they could improve.
Hall pointed out that if a student is frequently absent, their principal can contact the juvenile court. She wondered if the school could visit the parent at home before taking that step.
Autry noted that as the co-chair of the board’s Legal, Contracts & Policy Committee, she wants to look at the current anti-bullying policy with students to see where they feel the policy is failing them.
Jackson, Hall, Autry and board member Bruce Alexander all praised Blair for her speech.
Jackson praised Blair for her advocacy in support of students. “You are being the voice of change for your peers, and challenging the decision makers to make decisions that can benefit you all,” she said.
