Current interim, 23 others apply for Akron Public Schools' superintendent job
Two dozen school leaders from across the country want to be the next superintendent of Akron Public Schools.
As of the deadline to apply earlier this week, the list includes Mary B. Outley, who was appointed interim superintendent in February following the resignation of Christine Fowler Mack.
Competing against Outley, a 1985 Buchtel High School graduate and longtime Akron Public Schools administrator, is a diverse field of school superintendents, assistant superintendents, chief academic officers and high school principals from districts as far away as Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri and Texas.
According to an open source search of their work experience, about half the applicants appear to be working in Ohio school districts, including principals and superintendents in Cuyahoga County and at least one top-level executive from Columbus City Schools, which is currently looking for a permanent superintendent. One person applying in Akron is also among the six finalists in Columbus.
Akron Board of Education President Derrick Hall said the school board will meet next week on Thursday to begin its review of the candidates, which were gathered by outside search firm Ray & Associates. The 24 candidates will be narrowed down to between three and six, he said, then narrowed down again a week later before the public will have a chance to meet the finalists on June 28 at a forum with details yet to be announced.
Members of Akron’s business community, led by Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Steve Millard, have publicly asked the school board to wait until after the November election to hire a new superintendent.
A number of community leaders connected to major corporations and philanthropic organizations have raised concerns about how the school board managed Fowler Mack, an Akron Public Schools alumna. The current board hired Fowler Mack and, after issuing a scathing job performance review less than a year into her tenure, accepted her resignation 19 months into her initial three-year contract.
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The board, per a separation agreement with the former superintendent, bought out the remainder of Fowler Mack’s contract for $462,585.68.
Three of the seven members of the Akron Board of Education — Hall, Valerie McKitrick and recently appointed Rene Molenaur — have terms expiring in December. They must run for reelection against an unknown list of candidates who have until Aug. 9 to file for the November election.
Timeline to hire next superintendent
The school board must move fast to have a superintendent in place before the next school year begins in August.
The window to apply closed Monday at midnight. Ray & Associates is compiling information on the candidates and will present it to the school board in a closed-door executive session next week.
Hall, who is on military leave and has only had time to take a cursory look at the list, said he's impressed with what looks like a majority of candidates who live outside of Ohio.
"I think it demonstrates how attractive the job is and how attractive Akron is, as well," said Hall.
He said he is much more pleased with the national search performed this time compared to the search done in 2021 that generated 27 candidates, mostly from Ohio.
"All these candidates would have researched the city and researched the current dynamics, and they all chose to apply," he said. "It also says a lot about about what we have to offer as a school district."
Once the board makes its final selection, the job will be offered to a finalist and then contract negotiations would begin if that person accepts the position.
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Aug. 1 is listed as the "preferred start date," but the timeline notes all dates are subject to change based on the needs of the board and the search process.
The Beacon Journal has not yet seen the applications and resumes for all 24 candidates as requested. The school board and its attorney with Gingo & Bair Law LLC are working with Ray & Associates to fill that records request.
Reach reporter Doug Livingston at dlivingston@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3792.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Public Schools superintendent search: 24 candidates have applied
