Leadership shuffle in Akron schools: New principals for Ellet, North and Garfield

Akron Public Schools has named several new principals just weeks before from the start of the school year.

The school board on Monday approved elevating Ellet principal Michelle Marquess-Kearns to the district role of supervisor of secondary schools. North High Principal Kim Sabetta will be the new Ellet campus principal.

Sabetta will be replaced at North by Garfield high school principal Kathryn Rodocker.

Rodocker was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an unspecified school district investigation near the end of the school year.

North High academy principal Charles Morrison will be the new principal at Garfield, which is moving into its new building this fall.

"Our students and leadership teams will benefit from these changes that bring new ideas and new energy to our learning environments," Akron Public Schools Superintendent Christine Fowler Mack said in a statement.

Marquess-Kearns announced her departure from Ellet in a letter sent to parents and students.

"With heartfelt words, I write this letter to inform you that I have accepted a different position within the district," she wrote. "My time as your building leader has been the highlight of my career. While I am excited for this new chapter in my professional journey, I will miss collaborating with and serving this community."

The school board voted to approve all personnel recommendations, with Valerie McKitrick voting against the recommendation of Marquess-Kearns taking on the new position.

Marquess-Kearns said with Sabetta as the new Ellet principal, she is "confident that the work that has been accomplished on behalf of our young people will continue to grow in a meaningful way."

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Marquess-Kearns will make $138,853.33 in her new role. She will oversee the high school principals.

Larry Johnson was previously promoted from Firestone Community Learning Center to the same role but overseeing middle school principals.

Previously, Mark Black oversaw both middle and high school principals. Black recently left the district to be the chief diversity officer at the University of Mount Union.

The school board on Monday also approved Patricia Stauffer, previously a dean of students in the district, to be the principal at McEbright elementary school.

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The appointments are among a slew of new and moving principals across the district this fall. Several buildings will have new leaders, including the I Promise School, Sam Salem CLC, Forest Hill CLC and Findley CLC. The principal of Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts also recently resigned but a replacement has not been named.

"I am incredibly proud of our students, families and the community," Marquess-Kearns said. "I look forward to hearing great things about their accomplishments as they continue their life’s journey. Ellet will always be my home."

Contact education reporter Jennifer Pignolet at jpignolet@thebeaconjournal.com. Contact Molly Walsh at mwalsh@gannett.com. 

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron schools names new principals for Ellet, North and Garfield