Akron Public Schools board approves Year‑2 strategic plan, bond and construction appropriations and retains outside counsel

AKRON — The Akron Public Schools Board of Education on Jan. 27, 2025 approved several routine and higher‑impact items including an amended Year‑2 strategic plan, appropriations tied to recent bond proceeds and the start of North High School construction, accepted its December financial report and approved personnel recommendations and the consent agenda.

The board voted 6–0 on the strategic plan after amending the document to label data rows by academic school year rather than calendar year. Board members also approved bond retirement fund appropriations and appropriations to begin design and initial contracting work for North High School. The board approved its monthly financial report for December 2024, accepted personnel recommendations, approved the consent agenda and approved minutes from Jan. 13. After an executive session the board voted to retain several outside law firms; that motion passed with one abstention.

Why it matters: the appropriations tied to bond proceeds let the district start required debt service and initial construction work for North High School. The strategic plan vote sets the framework for district priorities and reporting for the coming year. The retention of outside counsel follows confidential executive‑session discussions and will shape the district’s legal support for pending matters.

Most important results

- Blueprint for Excellence Year‑2 (strategic plan): amended to add academic school year headers; passed 6–0. The amendment was offered by Dr. Molnar and incorporated before the final vote.

- Bond Retirement Fund appropriations: approved 6–0. Funds will cover debt retirement payments tied to the district’s recently issued bonds.

- North High School Construction Fund appropriations: approved 6–0 to allow hiring architects and paying initial project fees.

- December 2024 financial report: approved 6–0.

- Personnel recommendations (categories 10–20): approved 6–0.

- Consent agenda (board letters mirroring resolutions in categories 22–25): approved 6–0.

- Retention of outside law firms (engagements for on‑call legal services): moved by Member Alexander and seconded by Member Sykes; carried 5‑0 with one abstention (Reverend Harrison).

Board procedure and context

Board members debated the strategic plan’s data headings and clarified that some metrics arrive with a lag from state reporting; Dr. Molnar asked that the plan present school‑year labels so readers know when data were collected. The final strategic‑plan motion incorporated that clarification before the vote. Finance committee members said the North High appropriation and the debt retirement appropriation are required by Ohio law and allow the district to pay debt service and begin initial construction contracts.

Votes “at a glance” (motions, movers, seconds and outcomes)

- Approve Blueprint for Excellence Year‑2 with amendment (add academic school‑year labels): moved Member Alexander; second Member Hall; outcome: approved; tally recorded as 6 yes, 0 no.

- Approve Bond Retirement Fund appropriations: moved Member Sykes; second Member Harrison; outcome: approved; tally recorded as 6 yes, 0 no.

- Approve North High School Construction Fund appropriations: moved Member Sykes; second Member Hall; outcome: approved; tally recorded as 6 yes, 0 no.

- Approve December 2024 financial report: moved Member Harrison; second Member Sykes; outcome: approved; tally recorded as 6 yes, 0 no.

- Approve personnel recommendations (categories 10–20): moved Member Molnar; second Member Hall; outcome: approved; tally recorded as 6 yes, 0 no.

- Approve consent agenda (categories 22–25): moved Member Alexander; second Member Hall; outcome: approved; tally recorded as 6 yes, 0 no.

- Retain outside law firms (Manzik, Reskin; Bricker & Graydon; others per engagement agreements): moved Member Alexander; second Member Sykes; outcome: approved; tally recorded as 5 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain (Reverend Harrison).

What the board did not decide tonight

There was discussion in finance about the location of a rebuilt North High School after community rumor, and the superintendent said no board action or decision to move the school had been brought to the board.

Ending note

The board recessed into executive session to discuss personnel and pending litigation matters and returned to take the law‑firm engagement vote. The board set its next regular meeting for Feb. 10, 2025 and announced a special meeting later in the week that also will include an executive session.