'Tumultuous and polarizing times': Akron split over school superintendent's departure
The Akron Public Schools board is looking to move forward with "one band, one sound" following a "tumultuous couple of weeks," Board President Derrick Hall said Monday night following additional criticism — along with support — in the wake of the departure of Superintendent Christine Fowler Mack.
"These are tumultuous and polarizing times, and it’s in these exact times when we have to pull together to do what’s best for our kids, our teachers, our families, and all of you who are in this room," Hall said. "That collectively is the true north on our compass."
His remarks during Monday's board meeting came after a public comment session that included significant criticism from Akron NAACP President Judi Hill. The NAACP released a statement Sunday night saying "personal politics and unrealistic expectations" had forced the "untimely resignation" of Fowler Mack.
Hill's comments Monday went further, echoing her organization's statements about "personal" issues between the board and the superintendent and saying it "appeared that every step she tried to take as an academic leader was met with opposition."
"Clearly it appeared to be a war against the superintendent," Hill said. "And let's not forget this is a person that you hired. As a board her successes are your success, her failures are your failures."
The board on Feb. 13 accepted Fowler Mack's resignation, approved a separation agreement to pay her the rest of her contract in full and agreed to appoint the former executive director of elementary education, Mary Outley, as interim superintendent.
The move, 19 months into Fowler Mack's tenure as the leader of the district she graduated from, brought significant criticism from community and civic leaders who said the board had overstepped its role.
But supporters of the board, including teachers union leaders and members, also came to Monday's meeting to speak.
Ward 4 City Councilman Russ Neal said he wanted to apologize to the board for City Council members who had spoken out against the school board.
"I want to extend my apologies for folks that serve on the board I serve on for interfering in your business," Neal said. "Because as you can see, we can't handle ours. We've got a lot of issues in the city that we've got to handle. And I want to extend that apology."
Echoing Hill's comments, Neal said as a community "we all succeed or we all fail."
"As a community, if anyone feels that the board failed, as a community, we all failed," Neal said. "If anybody feels that the board succeeded, and the superintendent succeeded, then we all succeeded. We all fail or we all succeed together."
The Rev. Gregory Harrison also spoke, reminding the audience that community leaders voiced concerns about the school board before Fowler Mack was superintendent. At the same time, he said, "a lot of the people who are talking don't even live in Akron."
Two teachers spoke in support of the board, saying they felt heard even when they didn't agree with a decision made. They had seen board members visiting their schools, they said.
"For my observation since the beginning of this year, I believe that progress has been made," said Michael Harkness, an intervention specialist at Glover Community Learning Center. "And I feel like we all have a space at the table and are a part of that conversation."
Hall thanked those who spoke, specifically the teachers and the union.
"It is during times like this, though, where you do learn just who really is supportive of our district and our kids," Hall said.
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: Akron Public Schools board receives additional criticism, support
