Eight Candidates Vie for Akron Public Schools Board Amid Budget Crisis

Eight candidates are running for four seats on the Akron Public Schools Board of Education in the November 4 election, aiming to help guide the district through financial challenges and leadership transitions. Current board members Diana Autry, Gregory B. Harrison, and Carla Jackson are joined by Cynthia D. Blake, Gwen Bryant, Nathan R. Jarosz, Karmaya Kelly, and Phil Montgomery in the race, with winners beginning four-year terms in January 2026. The board oversees a district with nearly a $600 million budget, serving approximately 19,700 students, and is tasked with hiring the superintendent, setting policies, approving budgets, and holding district leadership accountable. Akron Public Schools faces a significant financial crisis, with projected deficits exceeding $10 million this year and a potential negative cash balance of $159 million by 2030, driven by declining enrollment, reduced state funding, and losses from the state's school voucher program. The district has experienced leadership instability, having had three superintendents since 2021, with interim superintendent Mary Outley now leading the district. To engage voters, a debate featuring all candidates is scheduled for October 8, providing a forum to discuss key issues such as fiscal viability, educational quality, and community representation.