Sure they are laying off, the fat cats still need their big salaries , retirement and benefits.

They passed levy after levy and the children were never any better off for it. How did they pass the levies. After they wouldn;t pass in elections with other items on the ballot they would have the levy on a ballot with no other items to vote on.

Crooked as can be and unethical to boot.

I hope the state takes over the Akron schools. They sure don;t know how to run schools in Akron. Its all one bog political game.

thank you Mars Bonfire very well said I can't say it any better. its time to put a stop to these residental stabbings for more,more,more money. I thought the lottery was also going to help fund the schools maybe I heard wrong anyway its time to stop.

also before jumping the gun here google this: Kiichiro Sato/Associated Press
Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland delivered his third State of the State address Wednesday. Strickland outlined his plans for revamping Ohio's educational system.

James said that when he started working for the district in 1992, enrollment stood at about 34,000 students compared with 23,800 students today.


10,000 less students huh? So we need more buildings and more teachers/administrators. We got took as usual and expect to get taken some more. I should have went into education, that's where the real money is at not to mention job security. I said job security not personal security but then again i could have a cache of weapons since the Akron Public School really dont do a background check on its teachers.

The APS's needs to cut everything in half. Why do they need all those high, middle, and elem schools? There is a lot of room for cutting out schools, staff, and teachers. Do it James and you won't have to ask voters for an increase.

''We have too many schools, too many people, too many programs for a district our size,''

The solution, the one that should have been used year ago ... cut, cut, cut.

The schools are suppose to serve the community and not be bloated make-work projects for the education establishment.

Fallout from the great sylvester small - what a piece!

I know 2 families right now who have thier children home schooled. I understand that this option is growing by thousands...My taxes went up $72.00 per year for 2009 Why?

OldManGrump,

"The APS's needs to cut everything in half. Why do they need all those high, middle, and elem schools? There is a lot of room for cutting out schools, staff, and teachers. Do it James and you won't have to ask voters for an increase."

We will be cutting schools. Currently we have seven high schools and if enrollment continues to decline more will go. We identified a list of buildings to close previously and we are working through that list also. The other issue I have is duplication of programs, health insurance, and people. You and I both know that a levy is not in the works. I have no choice but to right size this place.

oh we need all those new schools--all built by a different architect firm and different contractors (which were all from out of town instead of using local people) and now we are in crisis--first of all, why was Mr. James hired as superindent at the same pay as Mr Small left? Any other new employee would have to start at a base pay and work their way up. Also, why not start layoffs at the top--after all, they are just sitting on their duffs and the teachers and others are doing the actual teaching (this should hold true with any business) after all it is the peons doing the work of teaching our students.Why do we need a principal-3-4 assistant principals and all the counselours that are in our schools now--can they not teach a class also. We do not need all these so called private schools--they are bleeding money from the system--if you want to send your child to a private school--go ahead but don't depend on the public schools to also subsidize their education.

Consider that the taxpayers trusted leadership enough to vote for an increase to our sales tax a few years back based upon a larger building model. So, where is our tax relief now that it appears you're going to retain fewer buildings. How is that money accounted for? Don't be surpsied if after the 10 year building plan, thewre won't be any excess for these "community learning centers." This is exactly why "we folks" don't trust leadership! If you had a good product why can't you grow it?

Mr. James,

Thanks for entering our discussion. And thank you for at least making a verbal commitment to cut schools and staff.

I noticed that Berea is closing all its elementaries in favor of one centralized building. Perhaps this is a bit much to ask of Akron at present, but the thought of similarly consolidating the high schools comes to mind.

Ellet, Garfield, Kenmore, and North seem more than enough, given the plummeting enrollment. Even eliminating Garfield and North in favor of utilizing the more up-to-date Central-Hower facility for those students.

You're hearing from your income source first-hand here. The natives are beyond restless and downright hostile to the mere mention of further levies after the failed promises attached to those that have passed. and having The Don endorse a school levy will be its kiss of death.

I wish you well.

I am sure with declining enrollments APS has no choice to close buildings. The Firestone/Buchtel HS - which one will go - that will be a major decision alone. And no one in those areas are going to be happy about the outcome.

I do think that there are many teachers sitting at the 35 year mark and they need to retire. They will make the same amount of money retired as they are teaching and this will allow the younger staff members to continue to teach. Those with the 35 years most likely have their homes paid, are well established and are at the top of the pay scale. By enforcing a mandatory retirement would free up budget dollars since the retirements would decrease the number of teachers and avoid the possible layoffs. The layoffs only affect those beginning teachers who don't have any seniority and for many, have the energy and enthusiasm and desire to do a great job while those with 35 years, in many cases, are good teachers, but the energy level and enthusiasm has declined - just an age thing. I would hope those with many years would step down and let the younger ones stay. Not easy times for APS. I think the Stan Hwyet idea is great but not during these economic times. Use what you have as far as buildings.

Amen to consuladating some of the schools==why not 1 high school in each part of town--4 middle schools or junior high schools as they call them and 20 elementary schools--each school to be circled around the high schools--eliminate these so called learning centers ( all they do is make more work for the school custodians and other workers in the building send those groups using the facilities to YMCA's or libraries for their after school activities.

Hmmm, I'm willin' to give Mr. James the benefit of the doubt, and jes' watch for a while and see iff'n he does what he claims is needed to be done.

The idea of a school at Stan Hywet is an absurd plan. I can only imagine that Stan Hywet is in a financial crisis and by bringin' the city and school system onboard, the mansion can survive.

Oh, and Mr. James. Don't come hat in hand, askin' for more money. Considerin' how the past three levies went, Akron voters won't be pleased that the school system is back askin' for another handout. Many of us remember, that the last levy was to be the fix-all for many years to come, instead of the two year threat of a financial crisis that we've listend to for the last three levies that were put on the ballot.

They wasted money building Taj Mahals instead of schools and now they are out of money. Who woulda thunk it?

Whoever approved these unnecessarily garish and expensive designs needs to be gotten rid of.

It's a school not a McMansion in the suburbs...

If I lived in Akron, I'd NEVER vote for another increase given the way they've spent the money.

Eveyone keeps referring to "schools", but they are Community Learning Centers now. Bunch of $%!&.

Save money by getting rid of some of the administrators. I've been in the admin building quite a few times and I never seem to catch anyone working too hard.

Save money by NOT RENAMING schools. You rename a school, then sink a lot of money in new stationary, signage $ more. this is a complete waste of $$.

If the state of the schools, er, I mean CLCs is so poor, then apparently Mr. James is not doing a good job and should be replaced. A new vision is needed. A new way of doing business. WITHOUT taxing people again and again and again. I pay too much $ now and do not even have kids in schools. (and do not bother saying that good schools help property values. has not done a darn thing)

@ Akron Supt (the real Mr. James where ever you are)- You have an opportunity to start some radical changes that I prescribed in recent weeks. I won't repeat them all here.

1 - Funding isn't going to change drastically overnight, so don't 'bank' on that with any of your short term plans.

2 - Consolidate, consolidate, consolidate - start with the Summit County Schools - put a feather in your cap and start the process TODAY and you may get the assignment to head it up.

3 - there isn't a no. 3 as the previous 2 should keep you busy for a while.

Three high schools: Eastside (Ellet), west side(Kenmore or Firestone, take your pick), central (Central-Hower). That's all we need.

Less buildings. Less building administrators. Less downtown bureaucrats.

Good luck with that.

Close down some of the elementary schools!! My children are both in elementary school and they each have no more than 15 kids in their class. There are 5 elementary schools in the Kenmore cluster. That is not necessary. I like being able to walk my kids to school, but it's not worth it when I can drive 2 minutes and be at another school. No WAY will I vote for another levy.

Question Authoriry says: "Whoever approved these unnecessarily garish and expensive designs needs to be gotten rid of."

Expensive, yes--garish, yes----and also most of them are kinda ugly and look institutional(as in, look like prisons).

Make the lazy whinny teachers clean ther own classrooms!
Make them do the painting and repair during the summer!
Drug test the teachers also, you would get rid of half of them during the first round.

Why did the DON not see this before he stole the people's money to build new schools that will be closed faster then they can be built?

6 figure guys will all get raises again though, right?

If they would focus on education and not pretty buildings, they'd possibly even get my vote. As far as I know, 2 2 still equals 4 even if math is taught in a 6 year old building.

I got out of high school in 1969, graduating from a building that was 20 years old then. And it is still standing.

@ LPS - 15 students per class? You suggest making classes smaller and you'll also be the 1st one to complain.

p.s. how come nobody's jumping on my Summit County Schools consolidation effort - consolidating Akron kids with county kids has more value than any of you can appreciate.

Only 15 kids on your children's classroom LPS? your kids are very lucky. My child sits in a classroom with 43 other children. There is barely enough room to walk up and down the aisles. And this increase in student number was a result of them closing down another elementary school.

Mr. James may have some merit to the idea of consolidation of schools. I think we should give the guy an opportunity to work his plan. I do think however, there should be serious community and parent involvement before any type of consolidation takes place. I am so glad that my children are adults and thriving on their own. Parents, especially minority parents ( I am a double minority), if there ever was a time that you should sacrafice to make sure your child receives the best education possible, now is the time. We are in a knowledged based and global world and just meeting standards will no longer do it---the competition is fierce--and race still matters. Stay abreast on what decisions are being made for your children.

I graduated from Tallmadge HS in 79. There were around 30 students in my classes. More students per class means less rooms and teachers needed. Less money needed. Let me guess, the superintendent has 10 assistants who has 5 assistants who has 2 secretaries.

Mr. James, I have been an akron student years ago and now have 3 children attending APS, I applaud your effort to finally streamline APS and hope that you or the administration will not be asking for another tax increase. Just a suggestion, keep people informed, we will support you but we need to finally be told the truth because to honest with you, we havent gotten it from anyone else. It will go along way to helping you accomplished your goals. Thanks.

Most of your responses demonstrate exactly what is wrong with our society today. you are anti-education, you don't believe you have an obligation to provide for those who come through life after you, and your regard for others ends at the end of your driveway. yes, by all means, close down as many schools, make them packed with kids and drive more teachers away from the profession. here is an idea, find something in your lives you can be positive about so you don't have to come in here and spew your hatred and negativity.

1. Disruptive behavior? This is old news.
2. School at Stan Hywet. This is a waste of
taxpayer's money.
3. 'We have too many schools, too many people,
too many programs for a district our size,
James said. So reducing schools, people, and
programs, should also reduce taxes?

@Mars Bonfire, what is unethical and crooked about letting people vote on a levy? That is all they did. An the levies that have passed since I lived in Akron were all on ballots with other levies at the same time, so you statement about no competition for money makes no sense.

@Mr King, who or when was it said we need more buildings? During this construction process, they will have less buildings when done. Also, every district does background checks. It is state law and administered as such. Districts cannot skip the background check.

@murphy, the property values were recomputed by the county. You must have been a lucky one to see an increase in appraised value.

Akron schools are a joke, why anyone sends their kids there is beyond me, they are not getting a good education. They get to graduate when they can't even spell or read 3rd grade words....
I'm sorry, but if you cannot read or spell simple words, then you do not deserve a diploma or GED.

A school at Stan Hwet is a lame idea. Like students need to be doing work on horticulture, when half cannot even read and write correctly. And the thought that being truant and disruptive is a form of mental illness is laughable. It is a form of lack of parenting and bratty, inconsiderate kids.

@Question Authority, capital money (buildings) and operating funds are always handled as two pots of money, and cannot be mixed. The main reason is how the money comes from the state and results in matching funds for the project.

Being low on money has nothing to do with the building construction as that comes from a separate pot of money. They are not looking for more money for buildings.

The last time we voted for a levy was when we where told that we needed to vote for it to save Central Hower High School and keep it open. We before that time had ALWAYS voted for the school levies, as we did that time. Next thing we know, they are closing Central Hower saying too bad. Well now we won't vote for another levy since they have no problem lying to the voters to their faces.

The schools are losing students? The parents and grandparents that still live in Akron deserve honest and frank discussions from the APS..not the run around lies we received.

It will take a big big change before we support another levy and believe anything else we are told by APS.

One suggestion, if you are going to close schools, PLEASE do so to schools that arent already a new building... I can just see that happening..Oh yes we just built this new school but need to close it.

Mr James:

Four HS: East as it is being rebuilt already, can serve East and Ellet Students. Firestone hands down stays due to fact it is the newest high school, has the best gym and a natatorium and planetarium as well as the IB and Performing Arts Programs. It serves North, Firestone and Buchtel Students N of Copley Rd. Kenmore stays and serves Kenmore and Buchtel South of Copley Rd. Garfield Stays as it is only school in SE Akron. North, Ellet and Buchtel go.

Jr Highs - same thing- keep one in each quadrant of Akron: Litchfield, Hyre or Ellet building for Eastside, Innes or Roswell Kent, and Jennings as it is being rebuilt already.

Three elementaries per cluster. Period.

20 schools total.

Also, on the HS issue

Firestone - IB and Performing Arts
Garfield - Vocational and General
East - Technology and Business
Kenmore - Vocational and General

This is proposed based on facilities and current programs not socioeconomics or parts of town or races or anything else!

Gain some reality,

What alternate reality does your mind inhabit?

Where did the money come from the first place, did it fall out of the sky?

The money government gets always came from taxpayers and these days, China.

Government continues to waste OUR money frivolously, continues to run out of it and continues to strong arm us for more or borrow it from the communists.

Before the board comes back to the levy they have to "get lean" just like many business's are doing in these tough times. It looks like a good plan to right the ship, but it will be painful for some.

6th Infantry,

Thank you. I can this. We are serious about downsizing and trying to reduce our deficit. A lot hinges on the Governor's education plan. I will be keeping you informed with the facts as I understand them. mattvj5 is correct, we have to get lean before coming back for any levy request

I have a great idea. Let's close all of the schools and fire all of the teachers, staff, and administrators. Think of all the money we'll save then! What a great place Akron will be!

Scaaarrrryyyyy...

@ BeckyJP1977 - are you speaking from experience? Our kids attended APS and then went on to major schools in the ACC and Big East...so sad yours lost out.

The domino's are starting to fall.The Mayor Don expected us all to embrace his sewer program that was to be the catalyst in filling class room seats, increasing enrollment that would lead to the free U of Akron diploma! Oops! Build it and maybe they wont come!

@Question Authority, pay attention. Did I say the money did not come from taxpayers? No, I did not. I said the money they asked for to rebuild the buildings is being used for that and nothing else. They also did not run out of the money. They used the money as they promised, which is exactly what we should expect of an organization.

Consolidation within the Akron Public Schools District is about 10 years overdue. Declining school-age population and the loss of the same population to Open Enrollment, Charter Schools, etc. was projected then, but nothing was done in response. In the meantime, the projections became reality, and now, with mounting budget deficits and no easy way around or through them, management has to finally deal with what it had hoped to avoid for so long.

This is a crisis for APS, but it can also be a major opportunity for the district, the city and surrounding region. The city indeed has too many schools for its' present enrollment, but many of the surrounding suburban districts are also feeling the pain of deep budget cuts, or shortly will be. Springfield is a prime example. Coventry, Barberton, Cuyahoga Falls and Tallmadge are also at risk.

So what do you do? Well for starters, the Ellet cluster of schools was born out of the Springfield district. Consolidate the two school cluster/districts back into one and reap the savings. The same can go for Kenmore and Coventry, which were also one in the same. Merge them back together.

East and Tallmadge could merge together. North and Cuyahoga Falls can merge together. Barberton and Norton can merge together. Buchtel and Firestone can merge together. And so on. Cut all the extra administration, superintendents, central offices, etc. Welcome to the Akron-Summit County School District.

I cant even get my street plowed with the taxes I pay as well as all of you. And let them close Garfield. What a worthless school. All I see is fights and around lunch they walk around and smoke. This is why you see a decline. Everyone is moving. Cant say I blame them. And a good point Rudolph. City employees have to live in Akron. Then why not teachers? Most do not live in Akron. What does that tell you?

This article is much the same as yesterday. Has any reporter ASKED Superintendent James how he can justify building a new elementary building on grounds that should remain public park grounds and if not when will you ask. Why is this new article so much the same without cornering him on this? Is Superintendent James one of the ones who has not been properly backgrounded? Someone please investigate ASAP.

What would be the point of making teachers live where they work? Do you expect this from every teacher in every district?? And for those uninformed, APS teachers and all those working with the children have to have 2 background checks and one is through the FBI. How some that have been in the news have slipped through, I don't know. BTW, teachers are technically not city employees like firefighters and police. I don't believe any person should be told where they have to live.

Firstly-why are Tallmadge folks (or anyone outside of the Akron district for that matter) even worried about the public schools? It is not your tax money, and most of you are uneducated anyhow. I am sure you are the first ones lining up at the NASCAR races with your Hoof Arted T-Shirts on.

Secondly- @ Rudolph-I'm sure the problem wasn't so much your son's disability as it was your most likely crappy parenting. You were probably shuffed off because you were a Grade A pain in the rear.

Third- @BeckyJP1977- You are an ignoramus in your own right. I'm sure you believe that Wadsworth is a "true Mecca" of all education, but hey-you already know it all, right?

Lastly-To set the record straight for everyone-Central Hower is no longer an actual High School-it is an empty ex-HS that is used for temporary space while other schools get their new "Taj Mahals" (Please don't forget to read the sarcasm in that last line-by all means, don't expect these kids to have nice educational buildings that aren't full of asbestos). The best part about all of it is that nothing in your pea sized brains can change the fact that new buildings will be opened for the Akron kids-and you'll still have to waddle or drive by and see them there in all of their glory.

Enjoy!

No Julie they are not city employees, state employees funded through county property taxes. If they are teaching in a certain district and EXPECT people to vote higher taxes to pay them, then they should be able to vote on the levy which means they have to live there. It's only fair. Be able to do something about the pay you are $itching about.

The problem starts at the top. The federal and state government. New mandates force local districts to hire staff just to do paperwork. (For example, Daily Attendance Tracking: Akron has someone plugging the results off to Columbus each day. There is no benefit to the school or state showing how many kids come to school that day. So, why ??) Next, the school lunch program costs thousands just to administer. You have alot of principals, and assistants, and secretaries. If there is that much paperwork, they need to be the one to protest. My old elementary had a principal and an assistant. They switched back and forth between two other elementary schools. And one secretary! Then you have the PARENTS. And the school that falls into the 'behavior problem' is an undiagnosed mental illness. Child Guidance pushes this thought. My wife had these kids in Head Start, and parenting was the problem. She would call CSB to report drugs in the home, or abandonment. And CSB did nothing in many cases. She say the same families over and over, and sometimes these families were on CSB case plans for years. They would up disrupting kids in the public school. And as long as they got counseling for their 'anger', all was well. More money out the door. It is time for tough love in the schools.

Julier70. Then why is that Akron teachers praise Akron schools and then live in another district? I know why and you know why.

Why not merge it all together. After all they are attempting to merge numerous divisions of the city and county ie: maintenace, Akron police/Sheriffs office to name a few. However what kind of government do we then have and what sort of checks and balances do we make. You think we have big brother now just wait til this happens.

Maximus...do you live in the city you work in?? Residency has been found to be unconstitutional by the state of Ohio. So don't get your hopes up about Akron teachers having to live in Akron. I don't think it's against any laws to praise who you work for. I give praise where it is deserved, and I truly feel Akron has some of the best teachers and support staff in our buildings. We also have some great families that send their children to us. If you're looking for perfection in a school district, you are looking in the wrong place because we are not miracle workers, but we work very hard for the rewards we see within our students.

@Gain Some Reality, There were plenty f school levies placed on the ballot when there were no other issues to be voted on. Also many of the citizens like the warm and fuzzy feeling they get when they vote for a school levy. How soon thta passes once they get the bill. You also have many renters that think they can vote for a levy and it will not effect them because they do not own property, then the landlord raises their rent. Wake up call for renters.

The APS is a big rip offr and has been for the last 25 years or more.

The only ones benefitting from the passages of levies is the teachers and scholl administrators. They couldn;t care less about the kids and educating them.

Question Authority and Lou Szer, you don't even understand the system you're criticizing. Capital funds are used to pay for buildings. They almost always come from bond issues, and bond issues have no affect on your taxes. Capital funds can not, by law, be used to pay for operating expenses. Operating funds are generated by tax levies. Maybe you and some others on here should take the time and make the effort to learn about how the system works.

Not Brain Washed by the Media, you're guessing about staffing and expenses in the school administration? How is that a sound argument? You criticize what you don't even know about. At least the media which you are so wary of attempt to gather facts and check them, regardless of how they present them. You don't even go that far.

Tony, you call the teachers lazy and whiny, and you want them painting and doing maintenance work in the schools on their off time. What is wrong with you? I want teachers teaching. That is what I want them focused on, because the job they do, educating children, is one of the most important we have in our society. I would also like to see them paid more for teaching. Don't we entrust them with our future in the education of our children? If they do their jobs effectively crime rates go down, property values go up, and there are plenty of jobs. Why can't people like you seem to understand that? Why take teachers away from what their prime focus should be?

@Mars, when has Akron City been on a ballot by itself? I never recall it running by itself.

Buy Rolling Acres for $3 million and make it a school campus. It already has dozens of store spaces that would make nice classrooms. Traffic patterns and bus stops are already in place. It has wide open spaces around it, and a school would liven up the area and bring in revenue to the dying businesses around there that need resurrection.

The former Target Store in back is huge and could probably house 4 gymnasiums, at least. The movie theater could be the fine arts auditorium. The food court is there already. There's plenty of parking and plenty of traffic entrances and exits. The skylights and wide main hallways are nice for walking.

What are you waiting for, Akron Public Schools??? This giant, well-built property is the best buy in the state!!!!! It would make an awesome school!

INdependentMom... i totally agree! Thats not a bad idea....but first off... where is the money from the Ohio Lottery going?? And them pretty little schools that they are throwing up everywhere just to get torn up again.... wheres that money coming from and why isnt it being put back into these schools and education. Who cares what these buildings look like.... they are rebuilding the schools in the worst neighborhoods and with the most discipline problems. ( 5th ave, David Hill, Sam Salem, INNES!) Go figure! My children go to a elem. school in the Kenmore cluster and I live close to Firestone park and I am so ready to pull my children out and home school them. This is getting ridiculous.

Way to go Mr James!! These children are our future! Lets teach them something before its too late!!

@IndependentMom, why do you recommend they buy a building when they already have more than they need and are talking of closing some?

@Me_Myself_N_I, the schools get the lottery money, but it is not that much.

They are also rebuilding most of the the schools. Leave your "worst neighborhood" and you will see the other construction sites. They are no being rebuilt for appearance only as you suggest.

The funding came from a levy and bonds. When it was proposed that was how it was advertised, so the money is NOT allowed to be used for anything but the construction/

@Me_Myself_N_I, you recommend they buy Rolling Acres and in the next breathe complain they are building schools in the "worst neighborhoods". I guess you have never actually driven through the neighborhood near Rolling Acres.

I could never understand why anyone would want to have a bunch of kids. What a nightmare.

Mrs Anonymous wrote:

"This article is much the same as yesterday. Has any reporter ASKED Superintendent James how he can justify building a new elementary building on grounds that should remain public park grounds and if not when will you ask. Why is this new article so much the same without cornering him on this? Is Superintendent James one of the ones who has not been properly backgrounded? Someone please investigate ASAP."

Which building(s) are you referring to? Let's see...we did build the new Mason CLC on Mason Park and a fair amount of park space remains.

In terms of my background check, I passed both the BCI and the FBI background checks in March of 2008. Oh, and don't forget that the Auditor of State does review our books each and every year, which is required by law and, to close out my post, I do file an annual Ohio Ethics Commission disclosure each year.

As a building maintenance director I am appalled at the wastes at the schools. Each building I've entered is running at 75-80 degrees, windows open to relieve the heat. Lighting is on late night when no one is around. APS could save a lot by running their facilities more efficiently.

@ Not fooled by the media:

" graduated from Tallmadge HS in 79. There were around 30 students in my classes. More students per class means less rooms and teachers needed. Less money needed."

Yes back in the day you could triple that size and still have success. Welcome to 2009 and come over the Akron. Akron has kids with ZERO support at home so the teachers are the 100% educator of the children, behavior is a joke and modelded just as poorly by many of the parents, and the administrators are pressured not to suspend the lovely children who have no capactiy for comprehending right from wrong.

So obvioulsy keeping class sizes low is essential, especially in the younger grades when the foundation for the future of student learning is critical.

I think David James is doing what he has to do, it will be sad to see some good teachers cut and the students will miss them and their contribution to the schools. However, it appears with his business based background he is cutting at all levels, that I can respect!

@ Tim.....could not agree more!


To others....teachers are STATE employees not city.

The Unions should not be strong armed again. We have taken enough cuts already. David is already fully aware at how the local unions have saved them money. To take a freeze on our wages is not going to happen. The PLA will only make the schools more cost efficient at bidding time. Better workers equals better built schools.

It's government. What do you expect. There is no personal accountability anywhere. How dare anyone in government think and be proactive to the benifit of the people. How can the Catholic schools survive on a fraction of what the public schools get.

Everybody has said it for years. I've heard these phrases a thousand times.

"The teachers union is a terrorist group"

"The only millionairs I know are teachers"

"Organized Government is Organized Crime."

There are plenty of things that can be improved. It's a very inefficient operation. You know what I was told?

Some of the schools have armed police officers on every floor. I brought this up to a special ed teacher and she said in the special ed classes they have armed police officers in each class room. How can we afford this!!!!?????

Here is my solution as a small fraction of people are creating heart ache for the majority.

If you are a young girl who gets pregnant and requires government help to exist then government should require that she get fixed before giving out any freebees. If we can control out of control breeding by the irresponsible people, maybe we can build a society where responsible people dominate the landscape rather than these idiots who are enabled by goverment.

@ Ignorance Kills - you must have read my earlier post (from yesterday) and agreed. Now specifics are coming out. Keep it up.

I work in Akron but live in another area. Your moronic mayor put a levy on the ballot so that anyone who works in Akron pays for your joke of a school system. Now they want to build a new school at SH and they wonder why they don't have any money. Take any control of the monies from this school. They will absolutely have no say in how the money will be spent. Throwing $$ at the problem is NOT the answer. Cleveland spends more $$ per student than Hudson and who has the better schools?

My wife told me stories of violent Head Start kids. Kids that threw chairs or cussed you out at age four. One boy came into Akron, the year before he stabbed his teacher in the face with a pencil. Child Guidance of course labels these kids 'mental', and they get 'treatment. And it is the parent and the parent's lifestyle that is causing the child's misbehavior. CSB never intervenes. Then the kid sits in the regular Kindergarten, spoiling the rest of the kids with unruly disrespectful behavior. And as the child progresses to the next grade, more and more money is tossed in the trash trying to 'save the child' and 'educate them'. It is like putting the cart before the horse. Akron has more problems that just financial woes.

Hhhmmmm . . . too many schools, too much staff and too many programs but they told us last time that they needed more money! They lie every time. Cut the staff, close the buildings and do away with all those stupid programs that have nothing to do with teaching.
It's definitely time to move out of Akron! When there is no one left who will pay the taxes then?

@Joe123abc said "How can the Catholic schools survive on a fraction of what the public schools get."

As someone that has seen the finances of a couple Catholic schools, they are very heavily subsidized by their sponsoring organization. They do not run anymore efficiently or at a cheaper financial cost.

@Not Brainwashed by the Media, the Mayor did not put a school levy on the ballot. You are misdirecting your frustration.

Then the city wonders why so many kids are open enrolled and home schooled that live in Akron. Duh...get a clue Akron Public Schools....the system sucks and doesn't really care about the students. It's sad, but what do I care...my kids are open enrolled at Coventry where they're getting a good education and theres actually money for the schools. Akron sucks!

@Kiznev- Move to Coventry-it seems like you would fit right in.

@Bob-What "stupid programs" are you referring to exactly? School lunch?

Not Brainwashed, again, levy money goes for operations, capital money goes for buildings. They are not the same thing, and they come from different sources. Try to get your head around the concept. Also, the mayor has nothing to do with getting a school tax measure on the ballot. That is up to the school board and school administration. You need to understand the system before you criticize it. Obviously, you don't, yet we have to trust you to make a sound decision anytime you enter a voting booth. No wonder things are so screwed up with folks like you making decisions.

Bob, how do you know they lied? Did you go down to open their books. You can, they're public record. In fact, every cent any public school system spends is a matter of public record. Why don't you get a handle on what's being spent on what before you accuse someone of lying. This is a democracy, it's up to you to keep yourself informed. Also, you need to acquaint yourself with the difference between operating funds and capital funds. Capital funds are used for buildings and improvements and are almost always bond monies. Tax levies provide operating money to pay for operating expenses like salaries or books. Which programs do you consider stupid?

Gain Some Reaility: Catholic Schools are subsidized as much as possible. They get no public funds to finance them. Teachers are very poorly paid but are sincere.

I pay $6000 a year in property tax. None of that is going to my Girls Catholic School educations.

Public Schools have a monopoly! They suffer diseases that "Non Competitive" monopolies suffer. They don't know how to compete. The quality is low and the price is high. And further-more, they don't have a clue. They are a million miles behind.

Give teachers bonuses for alocating responsibility for dropping the electric bills, let them work 240 days and earn a fair salary. Let them earn bonuses for dropping gas bills and educational expenses while giving them incentive to do it. Let them earn whatever they want to earn or as little as they need to.

Unions don't allow any of this. They are a bunch of morons wearing the same uniform. Nobody has an idividual brain. They are a herd of buffalo.

Mr. Union ..... you better change. The day of Buffalo Bill Is Coming.

Joe, they do. Private schools receive state and federal funding. It may not be a lot, but they still receive it. And if they don't, their administrators aren't doing their jobs well.

@Joe123abc, you show your ignorance again. You better do some research.

A portion of the state's funding travels with every student. Catholic schools do receive X number of dollars for every student. They also take advantage of other support services provided by the public schools such as discounted internet access or other computer services, tutoring, and busing.

If the School board acted as a business enrollment wouldnt be down they need to compete with the charter schools and private schools but they are not creative enough to make these schools more attractive other than bricks and mortar. they should be offering good programs that you can only get into if you are enrolled in a APS thats how you get the enrollment numbers up

@betony, enrollment for private schools in the area are also down. Stats have shown the population within Akron city boundaries has been on a decline for some time.