Note to readers:
The following item is a written record of the Akron City Council Ward 2 meeting from March 25, 2026, compiled by Akron Documenter Rebecca Ritterspach. It is not a reported story.
Documenters are residents who are trained to observe and document local government meetings. Their notes are edited before publication for clarity and accuracy — unless quotation marks are used, all text is paraphrased.
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalakron.org with "Correction Request" in the subject line.
Summary
- Representatives from Akron Public Schools, including Superintendent Mary Outley, discussed current challenges and highlights and gave an overview of the approved North High School project.
- Akron Public Service Director Chris Ludle presented updates on the North Main Street corridor improvement project, noting winter-related delays and estimated project completion.
Documenter’s follow-up questions
- This was a well-attended ward meeting, however, less than 10% of attendees were Generation X or younger. What is the reason for the lack of attendance from younger residents? How are ward meetings advertised? Is social media a widely used tool to generate awareness? Would the availability of on-site childcare encourage younger families to attend?
- Does Akron Public Schools anticipate further restrictions to address declining enrollment?
Notes
Akron schools superintendent offers updates on new North High School building
Superintendent Mary Outley, now in her 35th year with APS and a graduate of the district and the University of Akron, highlighted both achievements and challenges facing the school system. Outley emphasized her personal commitment to Akron, noting her lifelong connection to the community.
District highlights
- Akron ranks highest among Ohio’s eight large urban school districts, earning 3.5 stars on the state report card and posting the highest graduation rate in that group.
- Students earned over $17 million in scholarships last year.
- APS remains committed to supporting not only college‑bound students but also those entering the workforce or military.
Ongoing challenges remain
- Literacy remains a key focus, with the state report card showing a one‑star rating.
- APS is addressing an $11 million budget deficit driven by flat state and federal funding, rising costs and declining enrollment.
North High School construction project to house more than 1,000 students
Debra Foulk, executive director of business affairs for APS, provided an overview of online resources detailing the new North High School project. The $85 million plan includes:
- A 750‑seat auditorium
- Athletic field
- Capacity for 1,100 students
- Renovations to the existing gym after community feedback
- North High School Principal Chuck Morrison added that the school’s Career Academy will feature dedicated spaces aligned with career pathways to focus learning.
First draft policy designed for public complaints
Carla Chapman, APS’s chief of community relations and strategic engagement, introduced an initial draft of a public complaints policy, which is designed to give residents a clearer channel for feedback.
Public input will be requested within 7 to 10 days, and contact information was shared:
- Email: cchapman@apslearns.org
- Phone: 330‑761‑3297
A Policy Committee meeting is scheduled for April 6 at 5:30 p.m., with livestreaming available on YouTube.
Schools consider redistricting
To ease overcrowding at Jennings Community Learning Center, which is currently near 99% capacity, APS is considering:
- Shifting Leggett CLC students into the Garfield cluster.
- Allowing families to request to keep siblings together at Jennings CLC or move to Innes for the 2026-2027 school year.
Akron Public Schools is hiring
The district is actively hiring paraprofessionals and classroom teachers.
North Main Street improvements
Public Service Director Chris Ludle reported the North Main Street Improvement Project has encountered some delays due to winter conditions but said:
- New streetlights and LED traffic signal upgrades should be complete by the end of May.
- The overall project could reach full completion by Thanksgiving, depending on the. weather.
Spring work to begin on Akron’s water, sewer and public works
- Crews are preparing for major spring work across City of Akron parks.
- Since January, the city has experienced 190 water main breaks, with:
- 150 requiring lawn restoration.
- 100 requiring additional roadway repairs once asphalt plants reopen.
- To improve efficiency and work‑life balance, the department is piloting a 12‑hour, three-days-on, two-days-off work schedule.
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$20 million in new engineering and infrastructure projects
The city is advertising $20 million in new projects, including:
- $2 million for North Hill concrete removal.
- Airport improvements.
- River restoration.
- Some road resurfacing projects to be funded through a $1.4 million federal appropriation secured by U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes.
- Parking lot resurfacing around Spaghetti Warehouse.
Abandoned lead and galvanized water lines to be addressed
- Akron reached a significant milestone and is now one of the first Midwest cities entirely free of lead service lines, with all homes now connected via copper.
- There are 673 abandoned service lines across the city that will be removed using federal EPA funds.
- 74 homes in North Hill have galvanized lines. Eligible homes will receive fully funded replacements and will receive a notice from the city.
Additionally, the city plans to resurface 50 miles of roadway, introduce ADA‑compliant curb ramp improvements from Main Street to the expressway, add pedestrian refuge islands, and complete work on 780 initially reported potholes, of which only seven remain open.
(Editor’s note: Signal Akron explains how drivers can report potholes.)
Notes to reader: Unless quotation marks are used, all text is paraphrased. If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@signalakron.org with “Correction Request” in the subject line.
