Board of Education adopts goals for 25-26

Akron Central School Board of Education members adopted goals for the 25-26 school year during their October 1 Board meeting.  The goals were developed at a Board workshop and build on last year’s goals.

The Board Philosophy serving as a foundation for the goals is: “As a board, we are committed to remaining fiscally conservative, focused on long-term sustainability for facilities, transportation and personnel that best benefits the instruction and experiences of our students.”

The goals as adopted follow:

Goal 1 – The Board will receive, review and discuss regular public updates from the Superintendent or designee on community engagement initiatives tied to the strategic plan, ensuring accountability and transparency.

Goal 2 – The Board of Education will use climate survey data and student voice feedback to inform governance decisions. The board will receive timely updates from the superintendent or designee on survey results, student advisory input to ensure they reflect the district’s commitment to equity, fairness, and inclusivity.

Goal 3 – The Board of Education will ensure that the district budget and resources prioritize expanded program offerings and innovative non-traditional opportunities. The Board will receive updates from the superintendent or designee on how resources are leveraged — including regional partnerships — to enhance access, equity, and long-term sustainability.

The Board plans to review the goals annually, and as needed throughout the year.  Board President Erik Polkowski shared that participation of designees allows those in specific areas of expertise to be involved in the process.

Capital Project

Campus Construction and CPL provided Board members with an update on the current capital project during the October 1 meeting.

Phase 1, which included work on the Main Building and Bus garage was the main focus of summer with new flooring, stair treads, finishes, lighting, signage, wall graphics, renovation work in gym areas, infrastructure, and new boilers in Middle School among the work completed.

The Bus garage project included an addition and renovations including a training room, bathroom, office, new boilers, bus lift, new wall paint, heated slabs at bus bays, new mechanic office, entrance, and other work.  The project is a little behind due to some electrical worker availability issues.

Phase II, the athletic complex is ongoing.  Turf drainage, grandstand foundations, hill cut and swale, is done and the project is on schedule for completion by the end of summer 2026.

A favorable Project budget was noted: Referendum Authorization: $29,829,634; Incidental Budget: $4,596,606; Construction Budget: $23,606,802; Phase I Awarded Contracts: $12,281,766; Phase II Awarded Contracts: $9,957,732; Unallocated Construction Dollars: $1,367,304

Construction Contingency: $1,626,226; Change Orders Executed: $227,437; Change Orders Pending: $326,141; Contingency Remaining: $1,072,648

Unallocated Construction Dollars will be used for Phase III.  Design for that phase is currently in progress, submit project to NYSED in October 2025, Bid and Award in December 2025 or January 2026.  The hope is to have both Phase II and Phase III wrapped up by September 2026.

Phase III includes anArea of Reflection, as you enter through main gates, with a circular element including a land acknowledgment rock and possibly a tree, lighting, under bleachers, digital display (graphics, sports related broadcast) wind screen, new parking lot, 21 spaces with ball stopper,  new bullpen,  and wayfinding signage, new shot clocks and new scoreboards

Work in progress tour

The public is invited to a work in progress tour on Thursday, October 9.  Meet at the High School Cafeteria for a tour of the work in the main building, as well as athletic complex and bus garage.

Board policies

Board members received policies on Maximum Temperature for School Buildings and Indoor Facilities, School Volunteers, Akron Newstead Recreation Programs and Student Participation for a First Reading

Personnel

Board members:

Appointed all AFA district employees to serve the Akron Central School District during the 2025-2026 school year for AM supervision position

Accepted the letter of retirement from Sharon Catalano from her Microcomputer Technical Support Specialist position, effective December 31, 2025.

Accepted the letter of retirement from Steven Gates from his Head Custodian position, effective December 31, 2025.

Created one (1.0 FTE) Senior Microcomputer Technical Support Specialist position.

Created one (1.0 FTE) Microcomputer Decision Support Specialist position.

Created one (1.0 FTE) Registered Nurse Non-Competitive position.

Amended the appointment resolution of Susan Brewer, dated August 6, 2024, to read as follows: Approve the amended Employment Agreement between the Akron Central School District and Susan Brewer for up to 19 hours per week, as part-time Confidential Account Clerk Typist and Deputy District

Approved the leave of absence extension request from Special Education Teacher Jennifer Klodzinski, effective October 1, 2025 with an anticipated return date of November 3, 2025 or until cleared by her physician to return to work.

Approved the leave of absence request from Middle School Math Teacher, effective on or about January 13, 2026 and continue through on or around April 22, 2026.

Approved the following Co-School Based Enterprise advisor appointments for the 25-26 school year: Andrew Clouse- 50%, Karen Saeli- 50%.

Approved the following student teachers in the District for the dates indicated: Canisius University – Stephen Domroes w/Ryan Carberry (Physical Education), Fall 2025 Semester

Aaron Birkby w/Ryan Carberry (Physical Education), Fall 2025 Semester

Approved the following instructional substitutes for the 2025-2026 school year: Kyra Berger, Kimberly Chatt (Retired), Audrey Cohn, Theresa Dempster, Shay Fernbacher, Garrett Platanitis

Approved the eight-week extension of Christopher Cozzarin’s probationary period as an automotive mechanic to end December 9, 2025.

Approved the following extra-curricular appointments for the 25-26 school year: 4:30 Detention. Jennifer Abrams, Andrew Clouse, Robert Meek, David Meli, Karen Muscarella, and Crystal Swader; Mentors Jessica Heimiller for Amelia Sundown, Seneca Language Instructor,  Danielle Chase for Lindsay Prout, HS Social Worker, Molly Coppola for Holly Ford, ES Teacher Assistant, Andrew Clouse for Meghann Brown Technology, Lacey Cochrane for Jenna Grazen, Heath, Joanne Fix for Nicole Blasko, Registered Nurse, and Jill Cornell for Britany Benthien, HS Counseling.

Contracts approved

Approved, as presented, the Proposal for Architectural/Engineering Services for the District’s 2023 Capital Improvement Project – Phase 3 from CPL Architects, Engineers, Landscape Architects, Surveyors, D.P.C., subject to review and approval of final contract documents by the District’s legal counsel.

Approved, as presented, the Proposal for Architectural/Engineering Services for the District’s 2025-2026 Capital Outlay Exception Project from CPL Architects, Engineers, Landscape Architects, Surveyors, D.P.C., subject to review and approval of final contract documents by the District’s legal counsel.  Identify and work on over period of time so can address physical and capital assets.

Approved the agreement between the Akron Central School District and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York Center for Assistive Technology (CAT) Service Center for evaluation services effective September 12, 2025.

Other action

Board members accepted the following donation to the District: Ohiopyle – $43.01 – sale of Akron merchandise in local stores

Approved the following list of declared surplus items to be sold on Auction International with the proceeds returning to the District or scrapped/recycled of if a successful bid is not received as submitted by Chief Operations Officer Mark Alexander. Getzen Trombone, Mirafone Bassoon, Conn Trombone, American Standard, Bundy Tenor Sax, Vito Tenor Sax, Bundy Trombone, Moennig Bassoon,  Getzen Trombone,  Grassi Alto Sax, Roland Pianos – Serial Numbers PC300,  PC301, PC302, PC303; Yamaha Electric Piano, John Dow Industries Grease Pump JDL3650, Parts Washer – Asset Tag #00014,  Epps Products Pressure Washer.

Approved the following item to be declared as surplus and scrapped as submitted by Chief Operations Officer Mark Alexander.  Epps Products Pressure Washer – Serial Number 950562