Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Carla Jackson elected board president as Akron board adopts calendar, committees and several policies
Summary
Carla Jackson was elected president of the Akron Board of Education and Bruce Alexander elected vice president. The board adopted its 2025 meeting calendar, completed committee assignments, approved two policies and passed several routine finance and administrative resolutions, including the November financial report.
Carla Jackson was elected president of the Akron Board of Education at its Jan. 13 meeting, and Bruce Alexander was chosen vice president in roll-call votes that split the seven-member board.
The board also adopted its 2025 meeting calendar, finalized committee assignments and approved two policies on attendance and wellness. The board voted on a package of routine finance and administrative items, including acceptance of the November financial forecast and a standard resolution to authorize advances on local tax receipts.
The votes followed nominations and brief discussion on leadership. Member Diana Autry nominated Jackson for president. Member Barbara Sykes nominated Bruce Alexander, then nominated herself for president; both candidates addressed the board before the roll call. After the votes Jackson received a majority and was sworn in; Alexander was later selected vice president and also took the oath of office.
Board members then approved a 2025 calendar of meetings and amended committee rosters to comply with policy that committees include three members. The board assigned members to Legal Contracts & Board Policy; Finance & Capital Management; Instructional Policy & Student Achievement; and Equity Policy committees, and designated delegates and alternates for the Ohio School Boards Association.
On policy, the board adopted Policy 52100 (Attendance) and Policy 8510 (Wellness) on their third and final readings. Treasurer and staff reports preceded votes on the district’s November financial forecast and routine fiscal resolutions; board members were told the forecast shows improving trends and that bond and certificate funds must be used per their legal restrictions.
Votes at a glance - Election of board president: Motion to elect Carla Jackson — Outcome: approved, roll-call tally reported as 4 yes, 3 no. (Yes: Autry, Hall, Jackson, Alexander; No: Harrison, Doctor Molnar, Sykes.) - Election of vice president: Motion to elect Bruce Alexander — Outcome: approved, roll-call tally reported as 4 yes, 3 no. - Adopt 2025 board meeting calendar: Outcome: approved, 7–0. - Committee assignments (Legal Contracts & Board Policy; Finance & Capital Management; Instructional Policy & Student Achievement; Equity Policy): Outcome: approved, 7–0. - Policy 52100 (Attendance): Outcome: adopted, 7–0. - Policy 8510 (Wellness): Outcome: adopted, 7–0. - Approve November 2024 financial report: Outcome: approved, 7–0. - Resolution to authorize advancement of local taxes (standard annual authorization): Outcome: approved, 7–0. - Resolution to appoint public records designee: Outcome: approved, 7–0.
Board members and staff emphasized that many of the finance items reflect timing and statutory limits: bond proceeds are restricted to specific projects, and the district must meet expenditure deadlines tied to passages of bond issues. Treasurer staff said they will bring detailed breakdowns and educational items to upcoming Finance Committee meetings.
The newly elected board president outlined next steps for committee work and encouraged community participation in upcoming cornerstone and strategic-plan meetings scheduled for late February.
