Akron Public Schools investigating North principal for alleged role in 'culture of revenge'
Akron Public Schools is investigating North High School Principal Kathryn Rodocker based on allegations she had a "role in the creation of a culture of revenge and retaliation," according to her personnel file.
The district also is investigating possible "misconduct in the workplace."
Rodocker has been on paid administrative leave since Aug. 7 pending the outcome of an investigation, the nature of which was not previously disclosed.
The Akron Beacon Journal received Rodocker's file through a public records request. In a letter to her, dated the day she was placed on leave, the district's human resources department notified Rodocker she was being put on leave and listed the two allegations. It did not cite a source of the accusations and did not elaborate on the nature of the alleged workplace misconduct.
The file also shows the Ohio Department of Education launched an investigation into Rodocker last fall, after she was disciplined but not suspended by APS for an unrelated investigation.
It's unclear if that investigation is still ongoing, but the Ohio Department of Education's online educator conduct database does not list Rodocker as an educator who is currently facing any discipline by the state. ODE did not return a request for comment and an Akron schools spokesman said the district is not aware if the investigation is ongoing or was closed without findings.
Rodocker did not respond to a request for comment.
Last year, when Rodocker was the principal of then-Kenmore-Garfield Community Learning Center, the district placed her on leave to investigate what it called an administrative issue.
Rodocker was on leave for 75 days and was issued a human resources reprimand for enrolling a student in two additional classes in mid-January so they would be eligible to play a spring sport, giving them a "D" letter grade with the understanding they would make up missed work, and then later removing the student from the class altogether.
She was not suspended but was ordered to go through additional training on enrolling and unenrolling students and entering grades into the system. She was brought back but transferred to North for the 2022-23 school year.
Frank Kalain, a retired principal who was previously at Garfield High School before it was closed, has been appointed the interim principal at North.
Contact education reporter Jennifer Pignolet at jpignolet@thebeaconjournal.com, at 330-996-3216 or on Twitter @JenPignolet.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: APS investigating principal for alleged role in 'culture of revenge'
