Monday marks the Akron Board of Education’s self-imposed deadline to decide how to move forward with suspended Superintendent Michael Robinson.
Here’s everything you need to get up to speed on the school board’s options — and how we got here.
How we got here: Law firm hired by APS submits report
On April 15, Robinson was suspended following a months-long investigation that corroborated allegations that he created a hostile work environment by routinely shouting at, berating, threatening and intimidating employees. The report also found that he threatened a sitting board member’s children and spoke disparagingly about students.
The report, conducted by the law firm Brennan Manna Diamond, found that Robinson’s actions left staff “feeling that any misstep would result in termination… Almost every witness expressed to BMD their real fear of losing their job.”
“The allegations of this behavior were substantiated by interviews with 16 current and former APS employees and supported by information from many witnesses,” said Board President Carla Jackson on April 15. “Much of Superintendent Robinson’s negative conduct is in clear violation of the APS Code of Conduct and is simply not acceptable conduct by a school official.”
What options does the Akron school board have?
A second law firm, Bricker Graydon, reviewed the report and made three recommendations for how the board should approach Robinson’s employment — none of which keep him on the job in Akron. The Bricker Graydon memo, first reviewed and reported on by Signal Akron, recommends:
- Termination
- Separation with a buyout
- Accept Robinson’s resignation with no buyout.
The memo acknowledges that the simplest path — Robinson’s resignation — is the least likely.
Both a buyout and the termination process are likely to cost the district between $65,000 and $80,000. It’s unclear which option, if any, the board will pursue. Multiple requests for comment from Jackson have not been returned.
You can read more about the options outlined in the Bricker Graydon memo here.
What’s on the agenda for Monday’s meeting?
Monday’s meeting, according to the public agenda, is mostly standard fare: personnel changes, service contracts with vendors and public comment. You can see the entire agenda here.
The board is also expected to go into executive session, a private session that allows them to discuss employment, discipline or other sensitive issues involving specific personnel. Executive sessions in recent months have been a lengthy part of many twice-a-month board meetings.
It’s not clear whether board members will vote on anything out of Monday’s expected executive session, but Jackson promised “swift” action regarding Robinson’s future with the public school district — by April 28.
How long has Robinson faced criticism in Akron schools?
The embattled superintendent was hired in July 2023. Almost immediately, his conduct raised flags for folks across the district. In May 2024, Robinson spoke at a church, drawing the ire of union officials and public observers. In his speech, he said he was preparing for his “crucifixion” and that the “devil is coming to seek whom he can devour and destroy.”
Under his leadership, Akron Public Schools has drawn five unfair labor practice complaints and dozens of labor grievances from the Akron Teacher’s Association — actions its leaders say violate the union contract.
One of those unfair labor practice complaints centered around issues in the implementation of district-wide full-day pre-kindergarten classes. Teachers in the program alleged staffing shortages that led to safety and hygiene issues for the young students.
Robinson makes $240,000 annually, or about $20,000 each month. He has a bit more than three years left on his five-year employment contract. Robinson’s predecessor, Christine Fowler Mack, resigned in February of 2023 after less than two years as superintendent. She received a buyout worth $462,585.68.
Then, and now, longtime Akron Public Schools administrator Mary Outley was selected to serve as interim superintendent.
Who is Mary Outley, interim superintendent (again) in Akron schools?
Outley is a Buchtel High School graduate and has served the district since 1990. She taught before making the jump to administrator.
“Akron Public Schools is an essential institution in our community, and I know that Interim Superintendent Mary Outley and the outstanding staff and leadership at APS will help lead our city’s school district forward,” Akron Mayor Shammas Malik said in a statement following her second appointment to interim superintendent.
It’s not known whether Outley will pursue the full-time superintendent position; she did after Fowler Mack’s resignation in 2023. She was a finalist then, but the board ultimately hired Robinson.
Prior to her second stint as interim superintendent, Outley served as the executive director for school leadership. Documents obtained by Signal Akron through a public record request show that she was first hired into the district as an elementary school teacher.
