Parents of Akron Public Schools students react to news of possible strike by teachers

As tensions between Akron Public Schools and its teachers rise, parents are speaking out about the possible teachers strike and what is being done on both sides to resolve it.

The union representing Akron teachers sent a letter to members Wednesday night alerting them it was prepared to strike. Late Thursday morning, the union issued a press release with a 10-day notice of its intent to strike, saying the move came after federal mediation failed to resolve a number of outstanding issues between teachers and the administration. The strike would begin at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 9.

The Akron school board approved resolutions at a special meeting Thursday night in preparation for a possible work stoppage. The resolutions have a number of functions, one of which is authorizing Superintendent Christine Fowler Mack to implement a strike “action plan” that includes online instruction at home.

Classes are set to resume for the 20,000-student school district Friday, meaning students may return to school in person Friday, only to pivot to online learning the following Monday if teachers walk out. For some parents, the return to online learning is unacceptable.

School board must listen to teachers, community, parent says

Cheryl Hopkins' son, Quinn, is a senior at Firestone high school. Hopkins is supportive of the proposed strike.

"We've been APS family from kindergarten through 12th grade and just this year, the violence that is in Firestone high school, the damage that's been done to the restrooms, it's very concerning," she said. "I don't want my son in that environment, and I don't want teachers to be in that environment. It's unsafe."

More:Akron school board prepares district for possible teacher strike Jan. 9

Hopkins put her son in online school during the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, something she says she won't do again should the strike come to fruition. Quinn's foray into an online classroom didn't pan out for him. He fell behind, and she fears it would happen again.

"With this strike — and the teachers being out on the picket line while they bring in other teachers, or have students once again go online — I feel like he will even be further and further behind, and when he goes to college in the fall, I fear he will have to do a major catch-up," Hopkins said.

Despite her concerns, Hopkins won't be sending her son across the picket line, opting instead to send him to a local parochial school should the strike last for too long.

It's encouraging to her that the school board is expressing an interest in continuing negotiations over the next 10 days. She hopes they're able to find a middle ground that meets the needs of both the students and the teachers.

More:What are the main sticking points in Akron Public Schools' contract talks with teachers?

"I do hope that the board listens to the community, because I feel like all of Akron is in support of the teachers," said Hopkins. "Everybody has read the news, everybody can see what kind of dire situation Akron Public Schools is in right now. They need to listen to the community, they need to listen to the teachers."

That sentiment is shared by Sean Plank, whose son Caleb is a kindergartner at Case Community Learning Center.

The Plank family moved to Akron from Kentucky in 2020 for his job. Their initial concerns about the district because of its report card were wiped away after other APS parents discussed how dedicated the teachers are to the students. Plank and his son have witnessed that dedication firsthand.

"Even in our short time here, we have seen our student's teacher go above and beyond to serve and teach," Plank said in an email to the Beacon Journal. "Even more so, I have personally seen how involved other teachers and school personnel are with knowing students' families and life situations."

While he supports teachers and the strike, Plank does have concerns for families that cannot stay home with their children should the district resort to online learning.

"If APS really wants to show their gratitude to their teachers, then maybe they should listen instead of talk when at the mediating table," he wrote. "Perhaps then they would agree to the most reasonable terms I've ever seen in a contract negotiation (safety and health care)."

The father of another Firestone senior, Ryen, is conflicted about the possibility of a strike.

Todd Fitzwater supports APS teachers, but as the Firestone Falcons All Sports Boosters president, feels conflicted because sports would be suspended during the strike. Fitzwater believes this would greatly impact athletes, especially seniors like Johnny Marshall, a state champion swimmer who may not be able to participate in sectionals in February.

The majority of Ryen's classes in the spring are college credit-plus courses, so her schedule won't be affected by the strike.

Fitzwater cited many reasons why the relationship between teachers and administration may have reached this point, including the mismanagement of the district.

Another was the infighting between the school board, specifically Board President N.J. Akbar, and Fowler Mack, which gives parents and students a sense of misalignment within the district's administration, he said.

What parents should know:What does a teachers strike mean for my child? APS creates resource for parents

“There’s a disconnect between the district, between the board, the superintendent and the families of the students … they talk about fixing it, but I don’t see anything working towards fixing that,” Fitzwater said.

The Firestone parent also brought up negative comments Akbar made about Fowler Mack in the board's most recent evaluation of its superintendent.

"When you do something like that in public, it shows your lack of control and command as a board," Fitzwater said. "That's why I have no confidence in the leadership in this board of education."

Parents comment online about possible strike by Akron teachers

Comments about the possible strike on the Beacon Journal's Facebook page have been largely supportive of Akron teachers. Among, and often within, their supportive comments are pleas for in-person instruction to continue.

Kristen Lockhart: Hopefully this strike will make a change in safety. My son goes to Jennings, they have a new metal detector sitting in their hallway but it's not even being used! No metal detector used at front main entrance either. Changes need to be made.

Renea Elizabeth: I stand with Akron Public teachers!

Holley Clark: I support this because it (is) something new every week at Firestone (high school).

Lou Kimevski: Striking hurts our kids. Get the replacements till something is reached/

Stefanie Michele: That is really sad. Treat teachers better. As if online instruction is going to replace live instruction. All I hear is we don’t care about you and you aren’t a priority.

Webpage answers questions

Akron Public Schools has created a webpage to update parents on the negotiation progress and delivery of instruction. The page also answers over a dozen FAQ about online instruction, grab-and-go meals, suspension of athletics and more should there be a strike.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Public Schools notice to strike draws reaction from parents