Hall, Akbar should resign from Akron school board, James Hardy says
In the recent article regarding the reaction to yet another superintendent leaving Akron Public Schools prematurely, school board President Derrick Hall stated that board members have not been given a chance to govern. That their requests to talk with civic leaders has been ignored. This is a lie.
Since 2019, the school board has been on a downward spiral. During the prolonged closure of the Akron Public Schools during COVID, I personally spoke with Hall and his colleagues dozens of times. Joining my voice with thousands of other APS parents in pleading with the board to reopen the district. We were ignored.
'Our children deserve better':Akron leaders blame school board for superintendent departure
As it became clear there was a rift forming between long-time superintendent David James and the new board, organizations invested in APS from every corner of Akron engaged the board to see what could be done to help the situation. Hall himself responded to the concerns with the same indignation he displayed in the article. Repeating an argument that it was in fact community partners, not the board, who were harming the Akron Public Schools.
No one interfered when the board searched for Dr. James’ replacement and hired Dr. Christine Fowler-Mack. In fact, the community rejoiced when the board selected such a qualified and capable leader. It took less than one year for the board’s relationship with its own pick to sour, culminating in a very public and unprofessional evaluation. Now Dr. Fowler-Mack has resigned, and our beloved district is rudderless once again.
Evaluation:'Insubordinate' and a 'failure': APS board members bash superintendent in scathing review
In four short years this board has run off two superintendents, burned bridges with community partners and parents, pushed the district to the brink of its first teacher strike in 30 years, and largely ignored a rising school violence problem. Yet Hall sees fit to blame others?
It is time for N.J. Akbar and Hall to resign. Their leadership of the board is directly responsible for this turmoil. As the Akron Public Schools go, so goes the city of Akron. Our young people are our most important treasure, and they deserve better than school board leaders who refuse to take responsibility for their own actions.
James Hardy is a former deputy mayor for the city of Akron and current candidate for Akron City Council in Ward 8.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: James Hardy: Hall, Akbar should resign from Akron school board
