Akron Board of Education Archives - Signal Akron

Akron Public Schools’ financial outlook better than expected, still challenging

by Carissa Woytach July 27, 2026July 27, 2026

Akron Public Schools’ budget is better off than predicted.

After delivering an address on the state of Akron Public Schools, Superintendent Mary Outley hugs C. Joyce Finley-Johnson, 93, who was a teacher at the former Erie Island elementary school when Outley began her teaching career. Outlet delivered the State of the Akron Public Schools address on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at Quaker Station to a crowd of more than 400 people. (Ryan Loew / Signal Akron)

Akron school board gives Mary Outley ‘exemplary’ evaluation as superintendent. Here is why

by Carissa Woytach July 20, 2026July 20, 2026

Akron Public Schools' Director of Facilities Services, Steve Keenan, was placed on paid administrative leave in early June over accusations he personally profited after he traded lawn maintenance equipment owned by the district to a dealer in Macedonia, board members said. He then purchased the mowers himself, advertised some of them, shown here on Facebook Marketplace, as “practically new!” and pocketed profits, according to documents obtained by Signal Akron through a public records request.

Former Akron schools employee sues district, seeks reinstatement

by Carissa Woytach July 15, 2026July 15, 2026

Akron Public Schools' Superintendent Mary Outley passes out compact mirrors at the MLK Day Female Symposium on Jan 17. Outley led the group through an affirming exercise, having them repeat the mantra, "I am confident, I am beautiful, I am worthy." On Monday, March 9, Outley proposed to the Akron Board of Education $11 million in proposed cuts. The board will vote on the proposal at its March 23 meeting.

Early literacy, budget top priorities in Akron schools chief’s evaluation

by Carissa Woytach July 8, 2026July 14, 2026

Judi Hill, president of the Akron NAACP and a former Akron Public Schools teacher, discusses the impact of school closures near a field in West Akron where Erie Island Elementary once stood.

As Akron weighs school closures, some neighborhoods fear being hit again

by Carissa Woytach June 29, 2026June 28, 2026

The Akron Public Schools' Sylvester Small Administration Building at 10 N. Main St. downtown. 12-26-23 (Susan Zake / Signal Akron)

Akron Public Schools shuttered for ‘cybersecurity breach’

by Carissa Woytach June 25, 2026June 24, 2026

Dara Templeton, CEO of Templeton Transportation, discusses a lack of a contract for her company with Akron Public Schools for the 2026-27 school year during an Akron Board of Education meeting on Monday, June 22, 2026.

Akron schools picks one van provider, leaving dozens of other drivers in limbo

by Carissa Woytach June 24, 2026June 23, 2026

In recent years, older buildings owned by the Akron Public Schools have typically been the ones chosen to be closed. That trend may end soon as the district is faced with large budget deficits and shrinking enrollments, but has newer buildings. Firestone Park Elementary, top left, Pfeiffer Elementary, top right, and the Conrad Ott building are all examples of older buildings that were or will be closed by APS.

Akron’s community learning centers are more than neighborhood schools. What happens if one closes?

by Carissa Woytach June 15, 2026June 15, 2026

As Akron Public Schools faces a potential deficit of $37 million in the 2028-2029 school year, the prospect of closing school buildings — a topic not under discussion yet among school officials — looms large. Akron schools served just under 20,000 students this year and is projected to lose another 2,000 kids by the end of the decade as the city’s population continues to decline and families opt for other education options.

Akron Public Schools is shrinking. Why building closures may follow

by Carissa Woytach June 11, 2026June 16, 2026

Buchtel Community Learning Center Campus Principal LaCresia Denson (left) listens to cosmetology instructor Robert Denson, who is also her husband, (right) talk about the school’s cosmetology career pathway program on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Buchtel CLC principal will stay after West Akron community rallies

by Carissa Woytach June 10, 2026June 30, 2026

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