Treasurer reports fiscal strain; board accepts resignation and appoints interim treasurer, approves AEA agreement

Akron Public Schools Treasurer Dr. Thompson opened the board’s July 28 meeting with a sweeping fiscal update that referenced proposed and enacted changes in House Bill 96, adjustments to forecasting timelines and operational requirements, and the district’s current budget position. He told the board the district had spent $17 million more than it brought in and noted a shortfall compared with its five‑year forecast.

Thompson summarized several policy and statutory developments referenced in state House Bill 96, including new transportation and diagnostic assessment rules, a state requirement to adopt AI policy by July 2026, changes to advanced‑math placement rules, and forecast‑submission timing changes. He also said districts can no longer pay ransom demands without legislative approval and that there are new cybersecurity and financial‑reporting expectations.

Nut graf: The board considered multiple finance and personnel actions after Thompson’s report. Members thanked Thompson for his forecasting precision and levy work; the board later accepted his resignation, unanimously appointed Wayne Bowers as interim treasurer/CFO, and approved the Akron Education Association (AEA) negotiated agreement following an executive session.

Key votes and personnel actions: The board approved routine items including the June 2025 financial report, multiple sets of meeting minutes, personnel recommendations in categories 10–20 (with one abstention noted on one personnel line), division recommendations (Section 22) and business affairs (Section 23) with several item‑level abstentions recorded by roll call. After an executive session called under Ohio Revised Code §121.22, the board approved the AEA negotiation contract by roll call and later accepted Dr. Thompson’s resignation and appointed Wayne Bowers interim treasurer; both motions passed 7‑0.

Member comments and context: Several board members publicly thanked Dr. Thompson for his service. Member Harrison praised Thompson’s earlier operational planning work (the long‑term operational plan) and described Thompson as having provided clear forecasting and levy support. In accepting the interim role, Wayne Bowers said he has worked in school finance since 1995 and has been on district payroll and payroll administration for seven years; the board welcomed him to the interim role.

Ending: The board instructed staff to continue financial reporting and to present follow‑up material required by state law (including changes stemming from House Bill 96). Staff also committed to providing documentation for transportation and Title I items discussed in business affairs. The district scheduled its next board meeting for August 11.