An Akron Public Schools proposal would redistrict Leggett CLC to become part of the Garfield Cluster (shown in yellow). Approximately 50 rising sixth graders would then attend Innes CLC instead of Jennings CLC, currently in the North Cluster, each year over the next three years, for a total of about 150 students. Officials said this plan is an incremental adjustment and would prevent a larger, district-wide shift. It is also designed to eliminate overcrowding in Jennings CLC, which is at 99% capacity.
An Akron Public Schools proposal would redistrict Leggett CLC to become part of the Garfield Cluster (shown in yellow). Approximately 50 rising sixth graders would then attend Innes CLC instead of Jennings CLC, currently in the North Cluster, each year over the next three years, for a total of about 150 students. Officials said this plan is an incremental adjustment and would prevent a larger, district-wide shift. It is also designed to eliminate overcrowding in Jennings CLC, which is at 99% capacity. (Map courtesy of Akron Public Schools)

Akron Public Schools is considering redistricting Leggett Community Learning Center, an elementary school, to balance enrollment and prevent overcrowding at Jennings CLC, a middle school that is currently operating at 99% capacity.

Leggett CLC is part of APS’ North Cluster, and rising sixth graders from Leggett CLC are currently slated to attend Jennings CLC. 

The plan would redistrict Leggett CLC to become part of the Garfield Cluster. Approximately 50 rising sixth graders would then attend Innes CLC in Akron’s Kenmore neighborhood instead of Jennings CLC, in North Hill, each year over the next three years, for a total of about 150 students. Officials said this plan is an incremental adjustment and would prevent a larger, district-wide shift.

During Monday’s Board of Education meeting, Larry Johnson, the district’s executive director of school leadership for middle schools, said “our goal is to create a plan that is flexible for our families and organically creates space in Jennings over a period of time.” 

The current attendance zone map for Akron Public Schools shows Leggett CLC as part of the North Cluster -- under a redistricting proposal, it would become part of the Garfield Cluster, whose map would be extended. Approximately 50 rising sixth graders would then attend Innes CLC instead of Jennings CLC, currently in the North Cluster, each year over the next three years, for a total of about 150 students.
The current attendance zone map for Akron Public Schools shows Leggett CLC as part of the North Cluster (shown in purple) Under a redistricting proposal, it would become part of the Garfield Cluster, whose map would be extended. Approximately 50 rising sixth graders would then attend Innes CLC instead of Jennings CLC, currently in the North Cluster, each year over the next three years, for a total of about 150 students. (Map courtesy of Akron Public Schools)

This isn’t the first time in recent years that the school district has had to redistrict schools within the North Cluster. In 2024, the school board’s extensive redistricting and restructuring plan included measures to ease overcrowding at Harris-Jackson CLC.

“[The North Cluster] is our most diverse cluster of the six, and it is growing very rapidly,” said Superintendent Mary Outley during the school board meeting. This is due to a large number of immigrant students and their families who settled in the cluster’s area, she said.

An in-person meeting to discuss the redistricting plan will be held Thursday, Feb. 12, at 6 p.m. at Innes CLC, 1999 East Ave.

Families would be able to request that siblings stay together at Jennings CLC or move to Innes for the 2026-2027 school year. Open enrollment, except for when siblings are involved, will not be available for Jennings CLC. 

Officials said that details of the plan could change after they hear from the families who will be affected. 

Johnson said there are no staffing changes anticipated for the coming school year, but  modifications could be made in the next two or three years. Any services students are receiving will continue at their new school. 

The district held a virtual community meeting on Feb. 10, and additional in-person meetings will be held on Feb. 11 at Leggett CLC and Feb. 12 at Innes CLC at 6 p.m. 

Superintendent Mary Outley will then present her recommended changes to the school board during two consecutive board meetings before the board votes on the proposal.

Melanie Mohler is a writer and editor based in Akron's West Hill neighborhood. She is the current editor of Ohio Genealogy News, a publication of the Ohio Genealogical Society, and she was previously a freelance contributor for The Devil Strip. Melanie has a BA in international relations from Kent State University and an MA in applied history and public humanities from the University of Akron. She is active in several local organizations, including Akron Documenters, Everyday Akron, and Akron Postcard Club.