MAYOR PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR SCHOOL LEVY, PROPOSES NEW AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Mayor Don Plusquellic today made two important announcements concerning the Akron Public Schools. He first pledged his support for the levy the school system is placing on the November 6 ballot and then announced a new partnership that would create new after-school programs.

The mayor, who has spent what he termed as hundreds of hours researching and studying reports, articles and documents from various local and national education organizations, said he recognized from the beginning of this process that whoever was hired as superintendent was going to have an "uphill struggle" ahead.

Mayor Plusquellic said this morning, "With all of the changes that needed to be made, it was almost overwhelming. But, I have worked with Sylvester Small (superintendent) and spent a good deal of time on this with him and am convinced he knows what needs to be done and is committed to getting it done. The schools and the City need to view themselves as partners, and Dr. Small is a working partner we can all trust."

Dr. Small has taken positive steps toward what the mayor called three important labor agreements with the Akron Education Association. The most important, according to the mayor, is a mutual commitment to solving key issues based on what is best for the students. Another concerns mandatory staff development, and yet another is a dispute resolution agreement that says both sides will use the American Arbitration Association to try to eliminate any possibility of problems next year in the union contracts.

"Based on the hard work that Dr. Small has put forth," the mayor said, "I am announcing this morning that I will be supporting the school levy for this November." Mayor Plusquellic also credited the AEA and the union representing the school custodians for their cooperation. The custodians changed their own contract language earlier this year to accommodate education enhancement programs, such as after-school programs. The mayor went on to say, "I will do everything I can and all that is necessary to help our schools get on sound financial footing." Mayor Plusquellic and City Council President Marco Sommerville will be co-chairs of the campaign.

Superintendent Dr. Sylvester Small said, "I know what the mayor expects from the district and they are the same things I expect---results and efficiency---without them, we won’t have a future. We’ve made cuts already, and even if Issue 64 passes we will have to make cuts. The mayor wants us to be excellent for students and fair to taxpayers…so do I. You can’t move forward without doing both and that’s the message we plan to carry to the people."

Mayor Plusquellic added, "For our children and for this community to get through the challenges ahead, and for us all to have the good jobs we need in the future, this school district has to succeed…and that’s why I am, after much study, enthusiastically endorsing issue 64 and will do everything within my power to get it to pass."

Also announced today was the creation of a partnership to provide new opportunities for youngsters to take part in after-school programs through a collaboration of the Akron Public Schools and the City of Akron. The new Community Learning Centers, as they are to be called, provide after-school activities and improve access to community services. The program is designed to recreate schools as centers of lifelong learning in the communities they serve. The City of Akron is investing nearly $150,000 in the pilot program this year and will apply for grant funding to assist in next year’s endeavor.

The new Community Learning Centers will serve students, parents and residents of the school community providing programs for adults and working with the schools to create recreational activities, social skill development and mentoring. Adult programs include parent education, technology access for adults, and social and recreational programs.

The public schools and the City of Akron selected four schools to begin the program, based on their limited resources and their at-risk population of students. Barrett, Rankin, Margaret Park and Harris elementary schools will serve roughly 200-250 students each in programs open from 3-6 p.m. at least four nights per week.

Desiree Bolden, a parent in the Harris School community, will oversee that school’s Community Learning Center and will be hired through the city’s parks and recreation department. Mayor Plusquellic credited Mrs. Bolden with raising $15,000 to get the program started and for helping create the model for the way the centers will be operated.

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