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Board approves reopening Stewart to house Akron Alternative Academy; Ott building to close
Summary
The board voted 7–0 to open Stewart for educational use and to proceed with closing the Ott Building; members debated costs, student relocation and timing before approving the resolution.
The Akron Board of Education voted unanimously to authorize reopening Stewart for educational use and to proceed with closing the Ott Building, a move tied to relocating Akron Alternative Academy (AAA) and other programs.
The board approved resolution 25.6 by a 7'0 roll call. The measure directs administration to prepare Stewart as a site for AAA and move APS Online and SOAR programs to Essex; the item stems from a committee recommendation the board discussed in Instructional Policy.
Administrators told the board they do not expect major retrofitting at Stewart and that needed work would be limited to minor repairs such as paint and ceiling tiles. A facilities staff member, Dr. Caber, said, "we don't expect any significant changes to the building," and noted that Stewart already has a new roof and parking that make it a practical option to house AAA.
Board members pressed for financial clarity before voting. Member Amber Molnar urged the board to see cost estimates and asked whether reopening Stewart would negate prior savings tied to its earlier closure; she said she had not received the specific cost analyses she expected. Superintendent Dr. Gerard Robinson and facilities staff said Ott requires larger capital work (roof and parking) that could cost far more than Stewart repairs, and that some costs for operating the Odd Building would be offset when programs move.
Members discussed logistics for pre-K classrooms and staff transfers: administrators said four pre-K classrooms currently at Essex could be relocated to available district classrooms and that vacancies exist to absorb staff without degrading services. Facilities staff said the relocation would follow the district's staffing and collective bargaining processes.
Member Molnar attempted to place the Stewart reopening on the Finance Committee for additional financial review; a motion to move that resolution to Finance was proposed and failed for lack of a second. The board then voted on the resolution itself and approved it, 7'0.
What happens next: staff will produce a cost list and timeframe for preparing Stewart for occupancy, carry out required transfers under contract rules, and report back to the board. Administrators said they would provide the board with a cost estimate for repairs and any offsets from moving programs before final implementation.
