Concerns about school funding and the future of Akron Public Schools are bringing parents together to form a new local chapter of Parents United for Public Schools.
The group operates under the Ohio Organizing Collaborative, a statewide nonprofit network that organizes residents around policy issues. In Akron, the effort is beginning with listening sessions aimed at identifying the concerns parents most want to address.
About seven people attended the first listening session Wednesday at the Akron-Summit County Public Library main branch downtown. Another session will be held Saturday, March 14, at 11 a.m. in Room 3 at the library as organizers continue gathering feedback from parents and caregivers.
Parents share concerns about Akron school issues
During the listening session, parents discussed several issues they said affect students in Akron Public Schools, including staffing levels, after-school programs and the district’s reliance on technology in classrooms.
Some parents raised concerns about the number of paraprofessional positions in the district, noting that many roles remain unfilled and that those staff members play a key role in supporting teachers and students in classrooms. Others said the district could benefit from stronger after-school programming and more opportunities for students to try activities such as sports or clubs.
Parents also discussed concerns about food waste in school meal programs, the use of screens during the school day, and the need for more opportunities for parents to be involved in schools beyond traditional volunteer roles.
Findings from the listening sessions will help shape the group’s priorities and guide discussion during a State of the Schools meeting scheduled for April 22 at the Akron-Summit County Public Library.
“We’re going to hold listening sessions and see what top-line issues come from those,” said Abby Drennen, one of the group’s organizers. “Then we’ll share what we’ve learned and talk about next steps.”
Why Ohio parents are getting involved
The organization grew out of All in for Ohio Kids, a coalition that previously organized parents around the state budget, said Jennifer Schrock, a regional parent organizer for the group.
Akron became a natural place to expand the effort, Schrock said, because parents in the area were already involved in the earlier coalition.
When school advocates felt Ohio’s final biennial state budget did not adequately support public education, organizers decided to launch a separate parent-led initiative focused specifically on public schools.
“There are a lot of motivated parents in Akron who want to stand up and fight for their schools,” Schrock said. “They love their public schools and want to see them exist and thrive.”
Similar parent organizing efforts in other Ohio districts have led to initiatives such as sustainability efforts in Columbus schools and support networks where families share resources related to special education services.
“If our Akron group is able to identify a few key areas and projects,” Drennen said, “we can work on those as a group over the next year and a half and then take that work to advocate for a fully implemented Fair School Funding Plan.”
Parents and community members join discussion
Clarissa Kornell said concerns about education funding motivated her to get involved.
“My biggest issue is how the state funds public education,” Kornell said. “There was a push across the state to bring parent voices together to advocate for the Fair School Funding Plan during the state budget process.”
She said parents can play an important role both in supporting their schools and in speaking up when they feel decisions could negatively affect students and families.
“I do think there’s a place for parents’ voices to come together — to raise up our schools and our school leaders, but also to hold them accountable when changes are proposed that impact our communities,” she said.
Nathan Briggs, director of the Greater Akron Autism Society, said he attended the session because he sees strong community interest in supporting local schools.
“There’s something special here — people are really invested in making sure we’re meeting the needs of kids,” Briggs said. “I’m grateful to be here, learn more and help be part of the process.”
Briggs added that discussions about public education should also pay closer attention to students with disabilities, whose needs can sometimes be overlooked in broader conversations about education policy.