Three of Novella Dent’s children graduated from Buchtel High School more than a decade ago, so she has seen principals come and go.
That’s why she showed up to Monday evening’s Akron Board of Education meeting to support principal LaCresia Denson. She wanted to explain that the West Akron community needs someone who knows its kids. Someone who cares.
Dent wasn’t alone. Parents, former students and community members told school board members and district leaders — including Superintendent Mary Outley, a Buchtel graduate — that they’re worried Denson could be moved to another school, part of Akron Public School’s annual leadership reshuffling.
“I was the first student to shadow her at Buchtel, and I hope and pray I’m not the last,” said Savion Wright, the school’s 2025 class president.
Before they spoke during the public comment section of the meeting, Outley said no decisions have been made on administrator placements for the 2026-27 school year. Board president Barbara Sykes said later that evening that the school board must first vote on administrator placements.
Still, they had a lot to say about Denson.
Buchtel CLC graduate credits success to principal’s encouragement, flexibility
Lola Booker-Brewer, a secretary at Buchtel CLC, said there has been consistency during Denson’s four years of leadership, and that for two years, the building has been out of “priority status” — a federal designation for academically struggling buildings.
While the school still has more students who test below state standards than not, the number of high school students at Buchtel CLC that score proficient or better has increased from 2023 to 2025. (At the middle school level, scores largely stagnated or dipped during the same period.)
Wright, a 2025 Buchtel graduate, shadowed Denson during his time at the school and plans to return to Akron schools as a teacher after he graduates from Kent State University. He credited his success to Denson’s encouragement and flexibility — noting she let him out of class to work at the Akron Zoo.
LaMyria Trammel, Buchtel CLC’s vice president of the class of 2025, said Denson is not perfect, but she protects the school’s stature in the community.
“She has a heart to be working at Buchtel,” Trammel said.
“When someone leaves, they may say we’re dangerous or ghetto — but did she leave? No.”
Denson made room at Buchtel for a student that missed her school’s prom
Christine Curry, vice president of fund development for the Akron Urban League, credited Denson with marking a young girl’s high school milestone by allowing the teen to attend Buchtel CLC’s prom.
The girl, who attended Akron Alternative Academy, was initially denied entrance to her home school’s prom. After Curry made some calls, she got the girl into Garfield Community Learning Center’s festivities and bought her a bright yellow prom dress for the occasion.
“In that moment, I felt God smiling,” Curry told board members. Due to circumstances beyond the girl’s control, she missed Garfield CLC’s prom.
Curry then reached out to Denson to see if the student could attend Buchtel CLC’s dance, and Denson said sure.
“She saw beyond labels and circumstances,” Curry said. “She chose compassion over convenience and belonging over exclusion. … Her legacy of ensuring every student feels seen, valued and worthy deserves to continue.”
Denson could not be reached for comment on Monday.
