Superintendent David James will discuss the state of Akron Public Schools at the Akron Press Club's luncheon on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, at the Tangier in Akron. There will be the opportunity for questions following his address.
Doors open at 11 a.m. Lunch is at 11:30 and the program will follow.
As superintendent, James is responsible for more than 21,000 students and 3,000 employees. The district includes 45 schools and community learning centers.
Akron Public Schools, in partnership with the LeBron James Family Foundation, opened the I Promise school in the past year. The school is for students at risk of falling behind. It is based on the foundation's existing I Promise Network programs, which have helped more than 1,300 Akron-area grade school students the past seven years.
The transformation to College & Career Academies has made significant progress in the past year. All APS ninth-graders are enrolled in Freshman Academy, where students can make informed decisions about selecting an academy for their sophomore through senior years. More than 160 business and community partners have agreed to work with individual academies and pathways at APS high schools. The district is on track to launch academies in every school in the 2019-20 school year.
The district also offers dual degree programs where students can earn a high school diploma and a two-year college degree upon graduation from high school.
David James is a graduate of Cleveland John Adams High School and Cleveland State University, where he received his bachelor's and master's degrees. He joined the Akron school district in 1992, became executive director for business affairs in 2002 and superintendent in August 2008.
Program: State of Akron Schools by Superintendent David James.
Time: Doors open at 11 a.m., buffet luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 28. Program follows.
Place: The Tangier, 532 W. Market Street, Akron.
Cost: $20 for Press Club members, $25 for non-members.
Reservations requested: Click here for easy online reservations. Contact Lianne Fowler, Press Club administrator, at 330-552-8860 or akronpressclub@gmail.com. Cash or check only accepted day of luncheon.
Reservation deadline: Noon, Monday, Feb. 25.
Cancellations: Cancellation requests must be received no later than 48 hours before the event. After that time, there will be no refunds and an invoice will be issued for payment.
The Akron Press Club was founded in 1971 to promote a free press and serve local journalists and public relations professionals. The group has a rich heritage of offering newsmakers a forum to discuss issues of the day at Press Club luncheons and speaking events that are open to the public. The club also funds scholarships for journalists and public relations students. Visit www.akronpressclub.org for membership information.