Kenmore residents, parents and Miller South teachers urge board to rebuild school in Kenmore

Dozens of Kenmore residents, Miller South parents, teachers and community leaders addressed the Akron Public School Board on June 9, 2025, urging board members to rebuild Miller South and Pfeiffer on the Kenmore High School site as previously promised.

Speakers said the community has prepared for the rebuild and that moving Miller South or attaching it to another campus would undermine arts-integrated instruction and neighborhood access. The comments followed a public-comment period during which the board set a 20-minute limit and reiterated topics that were not allowed for public comment.

Community members emphasized walkability, local partnerships and the role Miller South plays as an arts-based specialty school. Jessica Grandolski, identified in public comment as a public-school teacher and Akron parent, cited the school’s performance index as part of her argument: “When you compare the performance index numbers, 80.7 at Miller versus 55.4 at Litchfield, you can see why people are not as comfortable with option 3.” She asked board members to “do what’s in your power to make the choice to honor the promise you made for Miller South and not seek to dismantle or diminish it in any way.”

Current and former students and school staff framed the issue as one of opportunities and equity. Kofi (last name Boakai in the public record), who said he attended Findlay Academy and Miller South as a student, told the board that budget choices should not “cut dreams”: “You’re not cutting costs here. You’re cutting dreams.” Miller South art teacher Allison Rich said the idea of attaching Miller South to Litchfield “may be the least expensive, but … it does not make sense” for the school’s program and enrollment patterns, and noted a wait list and open-enrollment interest from outside the district.

Kenmore residents described local investment and services — food cupboards, summer programs, community events — and said placing the schools on the Kenmore site would preserve those neighborhood investments and ensure families without cars can get to school and after-school services. Kelly Brown, a third-generation Kenmore homeowner, told the board that “Pfeiffer is walkable” from parts of Kenmore and urged board members to “fulfill your promise to Kenmore.” Alena (executive director, Better Kenmore CDC) said the neighborhood has already begun projects in anticipation of a rebuild and asked the board to prioritize the school promise before other capital projects.

Speakers repeatedly asked the board to partner with the city and to prioritize the Kenmore rebuild. Several asked the board to account for how budget decisions were made and for greater transparency on project timelines and funding sources. Carla Chapman, introduced herself as a member of the Citizens Committee for the Akron Public Schools and noted the group’s post-levy community-engagement work.

Board members said they have received the emails and comments from the community and that the board will continue gathering information before making final decisions. Member Harrison said the board had not collectively taken a position and that members were “gathering information.” The superintendent and treasurer said updated budget and design information will be presented to the finance committee on June 16; the board expected further discussion after that meeting.

The public comment period closed after roughly 20 minutes, and board members acknowledged the speakers and said additional public comment opportunities will be available at future meetings.