Press
Press
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 2024
Contact: Carla L. Chapman, OSU22chapman@gmail.com
FREEDOM BLOC ENDORSES AKRON PUBLIC SCHOOLS LEVY AS
AN INVESTMENT IN OUR CHILDREN’S FUTURE
Akron – The Issue 27 Akron School Levy Campaign announced the endorsement of Freedom Bloc – and thanked them for their support as one of the most effective local grassroots groups in the Nation.
Freedom Bloc activates voters by connecting their issues with ballot issues and candidates and increases Akron Voter Turnout.
In their endorsement Freedom Bloc wrote that the Issue 27 levy will ensure that Akron Public Schools have the resources to provide equitable, high-quality education for all students. “This levy will help maintain essential services, improve school facilities, and support initiatives that foster a positive learning environment for our youth,” Freedom Bloc wrote in their endorsement letter.
The grassroots group known for community engagement and supporting voter education said, “We are committed to standing with the Akron community in supporting this levy, as it represents an investment in the future of our children, regardless of their race, income, or zip code. A well-funded school system is key to creating pathways to success, and we believe that Issue 27 is a crucial step toward making Akron Public Schools a district that serves all families effectively.”
A new North High School is needed due to aging, rapidly growing enrollment and costly repairs on a facility originally built in 1931. Some of the challenges facing the facility are leaking roof areas, old HVAC systems that are hard to repair and operate efficiently and a significantly increased enrollment since the District’s last levy 12 years ago.
Without passage of Issue 27 the district faces major cuts impacting Akron Students, Akron’s future workforce and as a top-10 employer the Akron economy. The projection is for major losses in revenue in fiscal years 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028 due to state funding cuts and inflation.
More information can be found at akronschoollevy.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 2024
Contact: Carla L. Chapman, OSU22chapman@gmail.com
COMMUNITY TOUR DAY SCHEDULED FOR NORTH HIGH SCHOOL
ISSUE 27 AIMS TO BUILD A NEW FACILITY
Akron – The Issue 27 Citizen Committee – Akron Public Schools announced an open door community tour day at North High School on October 6 for citizens to see the facility challenges for themselves.
A new North High School is needed due to aging, rapidly growing enrollment and costly repair
on a facility partly built in 1931. Some of the challenges facing the facility are leaking roof areas, old HVAC systems that are hard to repair and operate efficiently and a significantly increased enrollment since the District’s last levy 12 years ago.
Without passage of Issue 27 the district faces major cuts impacting Akron Students, Akron’s future workforce and our economy – as the Akron Public Schools are a top-10 employer in the region. The projection is for major losses in revenue in fiscal years 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028.
The Issue 27 Citizen Committee-Akron Public School Levy committee, recognizes that many Akron residents have not visited North High School in years, said Barabara Sykes, treasurer and an Akron Public Schools Board member. “We are opening the doors of North High School to allow the community to walk through & see the condition of the 1931 building.” This will be days before early voting begins on Oct. 8 where voters are being asked to decide if we will pay to build a new North High School.
The community tour day will be held on Sunday, October 6, 4-6 p.m. at the 985 Gorge Boulevard location.
NORTH HIGH SCHOOL COMMUNITY VISITATION DAY
Sunday, October 6, 2024
4 p.m.- 6pm
More information can be found at akronschoollevy.com
Contact: Carla L. Chapman, OSU22chapman@gmail.com
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 30, 2024
Contact: Carla L. Chapman, OSU22chapman@gmail.com
AKRON PUBLIC SCHOOLS LEVY – ISSUE 27
ENDORSED BY GREATER AKRON CHAMBER
AKRON – The Greater Akron Chamber has endorsed the Akron School Levy, citing the need to build a new North High School and the need to continue strong workforce development programs for area jobs.
A new North High School is needed due to aging, rapidly growing enrollment and costly repair on a facility partly built in 1931.
Despite the District not having a levy in 12 years, without passage of Issue 27 the district faces major cuts impacting Akron Students, Akron’s future workforce and our economy – as the Akron Public Schools are a top-10 employer in the region. The projection is for major losses in revenue in fiscal years 2025, 2026, 2027.
Akron Public Schools has created strong workforce development partnerships with the Greater Akron Chamber and are businesses to increase student achievement through innovative programs for students. APS students have earned 7000 college credits on average yearly and the class of 2024 has accumulated over 74,000 hours of internships
In fact in 2023, 87.7% of APS graduates graduated in four years, exceeding most large urban districts in the tri-state area. While 84% reported that they were employed, enrolled in higher education or in the military within six months of graduation.
“Twelve years is an extraordinary period to go without passing a levy to increase funding. While COVID recovery funding helped delay the need for these resources, the end of that support impacts the district. Passing Issue #27 is critical to ensuring that APS is positioned to serve students and our community effectively and efficiently,” wrote Steve Millard, President and CEO of the Greater Akron Chamber in their endorsement letter.
The Citizen Committee – Akron Public Schools thanks members of the Greater Akron Chamber for their endorsement of Issue 27.
More information can be found at akronschoollevy.com
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 16, 2024
Contact: Carla L. Chapman, OSU22chapman@gmail.com
AKRON PUBLIC SCHOOLS LEVY – ISSUE 27
ENDORSED BY, CLEVELAND CLINIC AKRON GENERAL HOSPITAL
AKRON – Citing the Akron Public Schools strong graduation rate and collaboration on local workforce development, the Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital announced their endorsement of Issue 27 which invests in the Akron Public Schools.
A new North High School is needed due to aging, rapidly growing enrollment and costly repair on a facility partly built in 1931.
Despite the District not having a levy in 12 years and the District keeping finances in the black due to no increase in local funding in 12 years, state cuts and inflation,the projection is for major losses in revenue in fiscal years 2025, 2026, 2027 and 2028.
Without passage of the levy the district faces major cuts impacting Akron Students, Akron’s future workforce and our economy – as the Akron Public Schools are a top-10 employer in the region.
Akron has achieved strong workforce development for area employers through innovative programs that include student ability to earn college credits during their classroom experience.
“We appreciate Akron Public Schools for developing children into bright, talented, hard working and caring adults, some of whom will become the next generation of caregivers in our organization, ” wrote Brian Harte, President of Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital.
Akron Public School Students earn 7000 college credits on average each year. Over 70% of Akron Early College graduates have obtained an associates degree and over 84% of the 2023 district graduates reported they were employed, enrolled in higher education or serving in the military within six months of graduation.
For Cleveland Clinic Akron General hospital the levy is important to their workforce and the health and wellbeing of the community. “We believe supporting our local school system is an investment in the health and wellbeing of our community, ” said Harte.
The Citizen Committee – Akron Public Schools thanks the Cleveland Clinic for its endorsement of Issue 27.
More information can be found at akronschoollevy.com
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