We’re not quite a full month into the new year, but we’re already seeing concerning signs of a new level of dysfunction at Akron Public Schools.
The latest drama centers on a 6-1 school board vote Jan. 8 to approve a contract with Varsity Tutors, a private, for-profit tutoring company. The state of Ohio is footing the $156,000 bill, but only if the district contracts with Varsity Tutors or another tutoring company from an approved list.
The Varsity Tutors contract has spawned a labor dispute, along with troubling allegations that district and/or board officials tampered with a recording of the brief public discussion that preceded the original board vote.
The Akron Education Association recently filed a grievance, alleging the Varsity Tutors deal violates the teachers union contract by outsourcing tutoring jobs.
Union members showed up in full force at Monday’s meeting to cry foul. And Superintendent Michael Robinson urged the board to rescind the tutoring contract, citing the teachers union legal actions.