Talk about a birthday celebration.
With tears in her eyes and encouraging applause from the crowd gathered at Garfield Community Learning Center, new Akron Board of Education member Karmaya Kelly took the podium moments after swearing her oath to the constitutions of the United States and Ohio.
“I was just told the hardest part of this was the first word I speak into the mic,” Kelly said as her voice broke. “This is truly an honor.”
Kelly was one of four board members, three of whom were newly elected and one incumbent, who were sworn in Monday night to take their seats on the Akron school board.
Kelly, who turned 39 Monday, expressed her gratitude to the Akronites who voted for her and, most importantly, her family, who supported her on the journey from unknown candidate to school board member.
“When I initially started this journey, I had no idea what exactly I was getting myself into,” she said. “But each community member that I interacted with slowly started to connect the dots for me that created a picture, a portrait of purpose for myself, and for that, I’m forever indebted to this community.”
New Akron school board members pledge to serve
Phil Montgomery, who was victorious in his second attempt at being elected to Akron’s Board of Education, pledged to keep the promises he made while campaigning.
“We have to make sure we’re back in the community,” Montgomery said. “We’re going to do that. I committed to having monthly cluster meetings. I’m going to do that. They’ll start in February.”
Nathan Jarosz, who at 30 became the youngest member of the board with his win, said the discourse between candidates and community during the campaign brought out the best in Akron. He pledged his commitment to the principles and ideas that resonated with voters.
“The vision this community wanted was one of stability, transparency and collaboration,” Jarosz said. “A district that promotes diversity, one that practices financial responsibility and focuses on greater understanding, greater knowledge in understanding each other and collaboration and teamwork.”
Gregory Harrison, the lone incumbent to win his reelection bid, used his time after being sworn in to recount the story that pushed him into public education politics.
In 2013, Harrison said his godson was killed by a 15-year-old who could not read. That left Harrison questioning what systems failed his godson and how.
“A 15-year-old could not read, not because the school system failed, not because juvenile court failed, not because of any one particular thing, but because of a lot of things,” Harrison said. “And I have made a commitment then that I would go to board meetings and find out what I could do.”
He said that led him to seek a seat on the board, which he initially obtained when appointed after Job Perry resigned.
Harrison, who is a pastor, ended his remarks by quoting Matthew 25, telling the audience that he would serve “the least of us” during his first full term on the board.
What could change with the new board members?
Over the past year or so, there was a clear divide on the board. Several times prior to former Superintendent Michael Robinson’s resignation, that divide came to a head. Former members Carla Jackson, Bruce Alexander, Diana Autry and current member Summer Hall voted several times to keep Robinson on the job during the external investigation into his conduct.
That division was visible moments after the board voted to remove Robinson from his job when former member Autry proposed immediately making then-interim Superintendent Mary Outley the full-time district leader. All four newly elected members criticized the decision on the campaign trail.
Now, with Jackson, Alexander and Autry being replaced by Jarosz, Kelly and Montgomery, it’s possible that dynamic could shift. The three new members, plus incumbent Gregory Harrison, are more philosophically aligned on key issues with what was the minority caucus than the outgoing board members. Repeated calls for accountability and transparency from members Harrison, Barbara Sykes and Rene Molenaur are more likely to have majority support going forward.
Who are the new members?
Kelly and Jarosz were born and raised in Akron, although Jarosz did not graduate from an APS school. Montgomery, born and raised in Michigan, has dedicated his professional life to local government. He currently oversees the budget for Summit County and campaigned on his deep well of knowledge regarding public finances. Montgomery also previously served on Akron’s City Council, where he was appointed to fulfill the remainder of a term.
Jarosz runs a nonprofit that helps teens develop leadership skills. He’s currently pursuing a doctorate in education from Kent State University. Previously, he lost to former board president Derrick Hall, now a member of the Ohio House of Representatives, for a seat in the state legislature. Though he came up short, he said that race helped inform the “servant leadership” that is a pillar of his public service.
Kelly returned to Akron to help care for her ailing father. She ran for the board because she said she heard a need in the community for fresh perspectives and new voices. Prior to this election, she had never sought public office.
She said on the campaign trail that her nontraditional path, which does not include a college degree, will help her advocate for students who may not see a university education in their future.
