[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6110780,"mediaKeyId","2756293-28a5b32a93807a4660a4be8031fbacf7","parentId",2756293,"title","Votes at a glance: Akron Public School Board, March 2025 meeting","audioSeconds",2168,"startMs",5218000,"endMs",7386000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2756293-28a5b32a93807a4660a4be8031fbacf7&start=5218&end=7386","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2756293-28a5b32a93807a4660a4be8031fbacf7/thumbnail_5218000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6110780/Ohio/Votes-at-a-glance-Akron-Public-School-Board-March-2025-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6110780-dfd82d90afec487c5927022bf80872c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775696420&Signature=DRaQwNHVsmeVJFJr3tB2JkE7~DwdSCff3wT~LRT6~VgyLin5A4yG7l1FBIxQyPwEsOr0PehUMEgHIJpgvHN760UfupeB5SUIPlv1VJ0e5U9hQ7fQ6-fXwtDOzQ1QrC34UQAR6oS4OuPhvOZX1WSfhzqh9zVP71PJgFMGC52Jg2pc2dom4vJsi4tKZjPlyOeC3nS0rUosMJ2GS4Sn68FY5h0e06fL3~Lh446OwON306oQRqTA7qXnzR7isf5HwYcSLWeP2hTeCa5uaCTGo5c3q9bIrEBrcRaoGzdnoflpoI4wfLkjoTjEy8TvHT3ytY~18Rx7R5wGD6iGZqBDLqmfKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Akron City, OH","date","2025-03-25T02:46:10Z","article","The Akron Public School Board acted on several routine and substantive items during its March 2025 meeting. Key approved items, tablings and vote tallies follow.

- February 2025 monthly financial report — Approved (motion by Member Sykes; second by Member Hall). Roll-call vote: 7–0.

- Policies (third reading): The board considered nine policies for third and final reading. On Policy 52.23 (release time for religious instruction) the roll call was 6–1 (Doctor Molineux voted no). The remaining policies in the package passed 7–0. (Transcript lists nine policies considered for third reading; see meeting minutes for full policy numbers and texts.)

- Approval of meeting minutes (previous meeting) — Approved, 7–0.

- Personnel recommendations (categories 10–20) — Approved, 7–0.

- Business affairs recommendations (category 27) — Approved, 7–0.

- Consent agenda items: Several consent items were handled or split. Item 25.2 and 25.3 were moved for individual votes and approved (both 7–0). Multiple consent items were discussed and a small number removed for discussion.

- Retention of consulting services (agenda item 22.1 / related consent entry 25.1) — Approved after executive session. Motion carried 6–0 with 1 abstention (Reverend Harrison abstained); motion moved by Member Alexander and seconded by Member Hall.

- Item 23.3 (a personnel/administrative matter) — Tabled to a later time after executive session; the board voted to table the item (motion carried with one abstention recorded).

Votes on motions that were moved and seconded during the meeting were recorded by roll call. Where a second was not identified at the lectern, the minutes show motions and roll-call tallies rather than named seconders.

The board recessed to executive session under Ohio Rev. Code §121.22(g) for attorney consultation on pending or imminent litigation and for collective-bargaining/employee matters. The public record shows at least one subsequent vote (22.1) that followed the executive session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Livestream - 03/24/25","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved the February 2025 financial report and a range of policies, personnel and business affairs items. One consultant retention (22.1) was approved after executive session with one abstention; another personnel/legal item (23.3) was tabled.","taxTitle","Akron City, School Districts, Ohio","taxId",13225,"location","Ohio","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":46,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6110784,"Treasurer warns House Bill 96 could push Akron schools toward fiscal watch; board approves February financial report 7-0",2485,4901000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2756293-28a5b32a93807a4660a4be8031fbacf7&start=4901&end=7386","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2756293-28a5b32a93807a4660a4be8031fbacf7/thumbnail_4901000.jpg","/articles/6110784/Ohio/Treasurer-warns-House-Bill-96-could-push-Akron-schools-toward-fiscal-watch-board-approves-February-financial-report-7-0","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6110784-9f5b8dd77678abefa327ab9f92b2d24a/orig.mp4?Expires=1775696420&Signature=lKo3h3v-8LUX0ppdv8HRYIKPed7HRLPZvGE47jW6bDURoDnysyM0rvtbC1KvelpopYuScwhN1S-SFxIlh04FXYfrLVL7Z3fci-FHPY5pA0K1f22RWGs7HvgGQaJijE2VHTYilie2D32hyR~fsDDA9R3twu52ZRxL~SjofSFdbt6UuSNSHnJ2XVtHiIaCiOd95kwmZlmWyAb1qZEi~sRjW3msc4E7~a-FPG2WZHuKQAp8ci7N1EK9Rx-gOpXvJGuc0aLUfGIfrKKgV2Jf1rm5bL7p49HmXPc2XjHq8Q8~fG4OoRAkhg5rfoD4J5Q~lW-CwB33tQCcd-2iXlp3IxDcvg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Akron Public Schools Treasurer Dr. Thompson told the school board the district’s February financial report shows improved revenue trends but said the governor’s proposed budget (House Bill 96) would create a large multi-year shortfall unless altered by the legislature.

Thompson said revenue through February shows 9.4% growth driven largely by local property tax receipts and some state-aid increases, and that the district has received roughly $18 million from the recent levy so far. On expenditures, he said cumulative spending has increased 5.9% compared with last year and that cash carryover has declined from about $106 million at the start of FY25 to an estimated $89 million.

\"House Bill 96 introduces a lot of uncertainty,\" Thompson said. Under the budget as he modeled it, the district’s five-year forecast swings from a modest carryover into a projected $35 million deficit, versus the $16 million carryover shown in the November forecast. He warned that, if the introduced budget and the 2022 \"freeze-based\" inputs remain, the district could enter fiscal watch in FY27 and fiscal emergency by FY29.

Thompson also highlighted insurance rate increases that he said averaged a 17% rise and several catastrophic medical claims that are driving large stop-loss payments. He urged careful cost controls and pledged to submit an updated five-year forecast when the legislature finalizes the budget.

After the report, the board voted to approve the February 2025 monthly financial report. Member Sykes moved the motion; Member Hall seconded. The roll call vote was 7-0 in favor.

The treasurer’s presentation was followed by questions from board members about internal audits, procurement, potential operational savings and how Title I and other federal funds are being deployed. Superintendent Dr. Robinson and finance staff said they are reviewing operational contracts and reimbursement sources and will return with more granular departmental and building-level budget breakdowns.","Treasurer Dr. Thompson told the board the governor's budget (House Bill 96) as introduced would reduce state aid and freeze 2022 inputs, creating a multi-year shortfall that could move the district into fiscal watch or emergency without changes; the board approved the February 2025 financial report unanimously.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6110789,"Transportation contractors and drivers tell board of bid disputes and disciplinary complaints",235,3818000,4053000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2756293-28a5b32a93807a4660a4be8031fbacf7&start=3818&end=4053","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2756293-28a5b32a93807a4660a4be8031fbacf7/thumbnail_3818000.jpg","/articles/6110789/Ohio/Transportation-contractors-and-drivers-tell-board-of-bid-disputes-and-disciplinary-complaints","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6110789-093917891e92f82444f45bc1c9ab4f79/orig.mp4?Expires=1775696420&Signature=DZo0h-5hEHMTMDB1nV6ElWpLS32KhaB~KwslBRedFU6De2pUf9k8XY6mjyBpT1fnxgJGU70W6Mccm0-gQPHjeYTFDu1Tx7k-wf-uKzTwG-L7MokGQTOHaMIR6O6i9r4YfX35ntR2Jv6nDrTjoEyuuMjwzUNp1aXezWDgeuNEAOxLdhUlEcknmeJ0BcttasYyJSG8O~0Q0P1oT7QiLTfhMG0vl3pXCuFzk0hPUMfnfVB1NANgJdGObMfQfe~EtQGkYYtgaTQcVDho1Kja3J095VBY0YtMaVaKsAgDLmX9VZRwHtvWdiMQhD9Vk-PE5MKd6YUcygNbDi4Y6lqqQbqkeg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple speakers during the public comment period raised concerns about transportation contracting and disciplinary actions affecting independent contractors and driver bids.

Brandy Vickers, who identified herself as an independent contractor with 18 years of experience supporting routing and communication for the transportation office, said she received a disciplinary warning after advising drivers and assisting with routing. \"I do not want to be penalized for a rule I did not break,\" Vickers said, asserting she had asked permission for the action she was criticized for.

Andrea Morton, another speaker representing longtime contractors, said contractors had been treated as a problem by prior and current administrations and described a hostile work environment. Morton said changes to a bid released that day could prevent certain bidders from succeeding and linked disciplinary actions to bid scoring. \"There was a change that just came out today that directly tries to prohibit her bid from being successful,\" Morton said.

Speakers asked the board to ensure fair treatment, investigate discipline procedures, and protect workers from retaliation. The board acknowledged the comments and said the public comment period had allowed the speakers to express concerns; no immediate board action was taken during the meeting.

The concerns were raised alongside other labor and contract questions during a meeting that also featured the treasurer’s budget presentation and votes on policies and personnel.","Several transportation contractors and long-time independent contractors told the board they face disciplinary warnings and bid changes they say unfairly penalize them; speakers asked for transparency and protection from retaliation.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6110793,"Akron Public Schools IT staff ask board to voluntarily recognize SEIU union",334,3349000,3683000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2756293-28a5b32a93807a4660a4be8031fbacf7&start=3349&end=3683","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2756293-28a5b32a93807a4660a4be8031fbacf7/thumbnail_3349000.jpg","/articles/6110793/Ohio/Akron-Public-Schools-IT-staff-ask-board-to-voluntarily-recognize-SEIU-union","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6110793-e5a605d0ea95b479bf84be0b0654e566/orig.mp4?Expires=1775696420&Signature=IyQyUkXRs-2oLnm6XuKBjPI5ZMjJg8Vtcy2JckA9MPT1s7RiyWdPh6TKBf-4L7LoOhMjr5jEMwNyXYw2RWXal0jMs7ugl8AQSdmbcBvgTqs3oyfiLH-sxo3ps6AdX38XkB2smK3nYenY5lIt~wtMJ9WLLUNFRETMVH4H-LMykA6KypAW7I7aAFMYhvo0vY2ZkqP0gGu6sSXTprj9DlJwVHVG4lR3E59PJnLv5TntU685GPkz6yy5GtKpzC3BuDLTTjzRucB0vjsyY0Tw93JCPpFa6Jj2J2EweVF62v6BJslsVZzLEeq2XBdZnH2aS2~B2~W7uI3igXj4htI~BJFw5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of SEIU Local 1 and members of Akron Public Schools’ technology department urged the school board during public comment to voluntarily recognize a newly formed IT bargaining unit.

\"The IT team here at Akron Public Schools has made it clear. It is time for changes to be made and for workers to have a voice at the table,\" said Camilo Via, a union representative with SEIU Local 1.

IT staff who addressed the board described winning a supermajority of signed union cards and said roughly 70% of the department supports union representation. Jeff Bellavo, a technical support specialist, described job-security concerns amid district budget discussions and alleged informal changes in remote-work policies, comp time and rumors about pay reductions. \"When we have a seat at the table, we will all feel more comfortable about the decisions made about us and our roles here at APS,\" Bellavo said.

Joshua Hollahan, identified as a district employee of more than eight years, urged the board to recognize the union and skip a second board-ordered election, saying voluntary recognition would allow negotiations to start sooner.

Speakers asked the board to honor the IT workers’ stated choice and said voluntary recognition would avoid a two-month election process and speed bargaining on wages and conditions. Board members did not vote on the request during the meeting; staff and the board did not announce any formal response on the record.

The comments followed several other labor-related public speakers and came during a meeting that also included extensive budget discussion and multiple board votes on financial and personnel items.","Several Akron Public Schools IT employees and SEIU Local 1 representatives told the board they had won a supermajority and asked the district to voluntarily recognize their union to begin bargaining, citing concerns about job security, transparency and changes to benefits and work arrangements.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6110798,"I Promise School describes 'house system' to build belonging and cut behavioral incidents",640,980000,1620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2756293-28a5b32a93807a4660a4be8031fbacf7&start=980&end=1620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2756293-28a5b32a93807a4660a4be8031fbacf7/thumbnail_980000.jpg","/articles/6110798/Ohio/I-Promise-School-describes-house-system-to-build-belonging-and-cut-behavioral-incidents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6110798-e14693d211490d8a69fe6dcbab7652ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1775696420&Signature=WbzaknR~z7PW7iJObZxxk~J80irIc~a6UpPhyvI9Lp6sNRNL65RKklkLw-N8lszLvsbc8CjXfr3kQKSQoMO~-lasF~psKKvRMuLpOdMwvFtsNMNHWB3wqPBxE4FfENPmSsl9wIW0SXdL8W~vuKfhweOUXlv-tD53e2Var5q5HdVbt8tBPBDy5IOGV16~eV4iSsEj1sM2AwRzIEo1d3AYtWU8FqQ7vSwhRQFk4W-We-U-yrnAk~fb1YgGiEwDaB8MKvMKD9s4t5R~g7c-5pplUPldrx6SbE73nxFdqJl63Qn-GBZ3Ivv47pf~q7AG9G9OcOw1NTjimYIIM4vnf7WGCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Principal Stephanie Davis told the Akron Public School Board on March 2025 that I Promise School has implemented a five-house system intended to build belonging across grade levels and reduce behavioral incidents.

\"We wanted to instill a sense of belonging for every student,\" Davis said, describing the houses as part of the school’s positive behavioral interventions and supports program (PBIS). The houses are named for the school’s five habits of promise and are led by adult house leaders and student house leaders.

Davis said the rollout was deliberately gradual to make the program sustainable after visits to the Ron Clark Academy and with funding support from the LeBron James Family Foundation to send staff for training. Assistant Principal Kelly Pastello and instructional coach Stephanie Arnett joined Davis in explaining implementation details: student sorting events, quarterly house celebrations and embedded student leadership with eighth- and fifth-grade house leaders.

Davis said early results include a decrease in tier 2 and tier 3 behavioral incidents and stronger adult-student connections that have helped with restorative practices. \"We have definitely seen secondary and tertiary effects,\" she said, adding the school will track ongoing data to validate the impressions.

Vice President Alexander and President Jackson publicly praised the energy and student work showcased in I Promise’s presentation. The district did not take formal action on the presentation; it was delivered as part of recognitions and updates.

The board did not ask for immediate follow-up actions but asked staff to provide additional data to the board in future reports so members can track whether the behavioral declines are sustained across an academic year.","I Promise School principal Stephanie Davis told the Akron Board of Education the school implemented a five-house system, supported by the LeBron James Family Foundation, to strengthen community, reduce tier 2/3 behavioral incidents and improve adult-student connections.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Akron Public School Board, March 2025 meeting

Treasurer warns House Bill 96 could push Akron schools toward fiscal watch; board approves February financial report 7-0

Transportation contractors and drivers tell board of bid disputes and disciplinary complaints

Akron Public Schools IT staff ask board to voluntarily recognize SEIU union

I Promise School describes 'house system' to build belonging and cut behavioral incidents