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| Mayor Don Plusquellic is joined by City Council President
Marco Sommerville (far left), Akron Superintendent of Schools Dr. Sylvester Small, and
Linda Kersker, school board president for the signing of the school system's Contract with
the Community. The contract is a pact between the school system and the community designed
to define a clear vision and set goals for the Akron Public Schools. The ceremonial
signing took place October 15. |
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Akron, Ohio, Monday, October 15, 2001 - Issue 64 is all about results; and, to prove
it, the leaders of Akron Public Schools and the city of Akron have entered into a
"Contract with the Community." The Contract was signed by Superintendent
Sylvester Small, Ed.D.; Akron Board of Education President Linda Kersker; Mayor Don
Plusquellic; and City Council President Marco Sommerville during an October 15 press
conference. "This contract is our pledge to accomplish a broad range of
goals," said Small. "The contract, combined with our continuous improvement
plan, holds us accountable to this community." |
The Contract with the Community outlines goals the district will
accomplish with the funds generated from Issue 64. The contract states Akron Public
Schools will:
- Continue to raise academic standards, test results and graduation rates;
- Guarantee schools are well disciplined and drug free;
- Keep cutting costs and hold annual budget growth at three percent or below;
- Establish contracts with parents, spelling out parental responsibilities;
- Put students who behave unacceptably into effective alternative programs;
- Make sure teachers and administrators have up-to-date skills;
- Work more closely with community partners at every level;
- Evaluate everything - keep what works; improve or get rid of what doesn't;
- Monitor funds through an independent committee of local leaders and experts; and
- Not seek new operating funds again until these are achieved.
"Only with new funds from Issue 64 can we deliver the education Akron's children,
parents, employers and taxpayers all deserve," said Small. "And if we don't make
this sacrifice to educate our children, our community and our country cannot remain
strong." |
Akron Public Schools Contract with the
Community (9k pdf)
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