Full District Research Report

AKRON CITY (OH) — FACILITIES

Full exported report generated from the District Research Agent.

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Budget and Funding Highlights

1. Akron Public Schools has revenue losses projected in 2025 - 2028 because of rising operating expenses and revenue stays flat. An increase of $3.5 million more in real estate taxes, $177,000 more in state aid, and $3.2 million more in "all other revenue," largely due to collections from a new tax levy and revenue in lieu of taxes has been projected for the year.

2. The Akron Public School district used a science and reading curriculum with a structured phonics-based approach aligning with specific science, and provides students with explicit instructions on how to read effectively. APS receives approximately $85 million annually in federal funding used for programs like Title I, special education, school nutrition, after-school activities, college access initiatives, Driver's Ed, and English as a Second Language.

3. The LeBron James Family Foundation provided $875,000.00 for I Promise School and has donated over a million dollars to fund key positions and professional development at the I Promise School.

4. The district is considering selling bonds for the North High School project, including approval of $30M in bond anticipation notes (BAN).

5. The district approved a bond issuance, indicating plans to secure funding for capital projects or other initiatives. A building improvement item of $200,000 has been put aside.

6. APS is experiencing rising costs from expenditures and an increase in revenue due to an increase of property values. The expenditure increased due to higher property and fleet insurance costs. The estimated cash balance at the end of the fiscal year is $81.5 million.

7. The Ohio House budget proposal includes wage increases, insurance increases, an additional $10M for the Kenmore project, reductions of $10M in FY26 and FY27, inflationary growth, and 10% on property values.

Current or Major Providers/Vendors

1. Innovative Roofing Solutions, Inc. is contracted for preventative roof maintenance and repairs on buildings.

2. The district has approved contracts with 806 Technologies, Inc.; AES Building Services LLC; multiple vendors for Advanced Purchasing Company and numerous others.

3. Grants Plus LLC has helped with educational, energy, and operational grants bringing in $201,000 in grants, and $4.2M is pending. In the past, they have helped us raise $603,000 in grants.

4. American Solutions for Business has been contracted for mailing services for the past 12 years.

5. Vasco Sports Contractors service agreement has been established for the East CLC Track, with Verizon Wireless, Inc. providing service under contract for 21K for 2025-2026.

6. Beaver Constructors Inc. is determined to be the Best Value for Construction Management at Risk (CMR) Services for the Buchtel CLC Stadium Press Box Replacement Project.

7. Paul Davis Restoration will review equipment replacement options after the fire that occurred at the Ellet CLC Fieldhouse Project, covered by insurance.

8. There are contracts with Prime AE Architects/Triad, Palmer Conservation, and C.T. Taylor Construction Manager at Risk (CMR) to adjust the Kenmore project's building plan to reduce costs and working with the City of Akron Joint Review Board (JRB) Committee to determine the allocation of Local Funded Initiative (LFI) funds

New Programs or Initiatives

1. Construction of the Buchtel athletic stadium concession stand/press box project could potentially begin in late spring with an anticipated completion in early fall.

2. The RFQ for architectural design firm services for the North High School Construction Project will be released with a 30-day submission window, with plans to authorize a contract for district-wide electricity with a service period from June 2, 2025 through June 30, 2029.

3. The district is reviewing and formalizing expectations for Independent Contractors and Service Providers, including a complaint process. The Vendor Relations Policy will include a formal vendor complaint process and will return for further review.

4. Southeast Security, LLC will update the districts outdated security system as well as provide purchase and service agreements.

5. The district is looking for a homeroom or 1st-period classroom to achieve 100% emergency contact update completion, with a reward of Kings Cake.

6. The district plans to create a room on the first floor of the administration building dedicated to 'Akron Public Schools history,' including a framed listing of all decommissioned schools.

7. Akron Public Schools will install water bottle filling stations at Firestone High School to accommodate students due to the ban on Stanley cups and reduce spills.

8. Summer Hall asked if the asbestos removal contract (not to exceed $45,000) was for a specific building or for district-wide use as needed.

Overall District Snapshot

1. The district faces a projected $13.3 million cash deficit by June 30th, 2028, highlighting the urgent need for fiscal planning and targeted financial interventions to avoid fiscal caution, watch, or emergency designation.

2. Student enrollment is down 60% while expenses are rising by 18%, demonstrating a critical imbalance requiring strategic resource allocation and enrollment initiatives.

3. The loss of the AIM High Gear Up grant will result in a $1.2 million loss this year and $3.6 million total, impacting support for over 1,500 sophomores and juniors and requiring the district to find alternative funding sources or reduce services.

4. The district is slated to lose an estimated $45,000,000 in state aid due to House Bill 96, emphasizing the need to advocate for fair school funding and re-evaluate forecast assumptions.

5. There is a conflict in the reported savings from closing the Stewart Building, with one document stating $90K in savings and another implying uncertainty about spending the $90K, highlighting a need for greater financial transparency; Board Packet Library_3904348_AKRON CITY_BOE-REG_02-10-25_chunk1.pdf; Board Packet Library_3904348_AKRON CITY_BOE-REG_02-10-25_chunk2.pdf. The document from chunk1 is used because it has more context and includes supporting information that demonstrates the need for a resolution to approve the item.

6. The four-year graduation rate for CTA concentrator students increased from 91.4% (2023) to 93.3% (2025), indicating successful career-focused programming.

7. There are 160+ staff vacancies across the district, indicating a need for enhanced recruitment and retention strategies.

8. Approximately 2,000 (nearly 10%) of APS students are homeless, underscoring a critical need for robust support services and community partnerships to address housing instability.

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