Board accepts resignation tied to investigation and agrees to refer report to law-enforcement and oversight agencies
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Summary
The board accepted the resignation of a staff member (Stephen Keenan) and approved an amendment directing the interim treasurer to forward the investigation report to multiple agencies, including the Akron police, city prosecutor, state auditor, Ohio Ethics Commission and IRS.
The Akron Board of Education accepted the resignation referenced in its personnel agenda and approved a motion directing the interim treasurer to refer the investigation report to outside authorities for further review.
Member Sykes moved an amendment instructing the interim treasurer to forward the Stephen Keenan investigation report to the Akron chief of police, the Akron city prosecutor, the Ohio Auditor of State, the Ohio Ethics Commission and the Internal Revenue Service; the amendment was seconded and approved by roll call.
Why it matters: the board's action formalizes a referral to external investigative and enforcement bodies, beyond internal counsel review, to determine whether crimes, ethics violations or tax issues warrant further action.
What the motion said (paraphrase of adopted amendment): the interim treasurer shall refer the Stephen Keenan investigation report to the Akron chief of police, the Akron city prosecutor, the Auditor of State, the Ohio Ethics Commission and the IRS for further investigation.
Board discussion and context: Member Sykes explained the amendment as a step to assure the public that the district will seek independent review of the investigator's findings and determine whether additional individuals or departments were involved. General counsel confirmed the district had received a resignation letter that contained no conditions.
Vote: the amendment to refer the report was approved by roll-call vote (7-0); the personnel recommendations (categories 10-20), including the resignation, were then approved by the board (7-0).
Next steps: board members said the referrals would be made and that a separate performance audit of district operations was underway. The board did not discuss or vote on employment litigation in the open session; the record shows the board later entered executive session for personnel matters and returned with no action required from that session.