RESCHEDULED! Superintendent Mary B. Outley will deliver her first State of the Akron Public Schools speech at an Akron Press Club luncheon Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
There will be the opportunity for questions during the program.
The 20,000-student school system is facing a projected budget deficit and major building projects in Kenmore and North Hill, along with a series of budget and policy changes on the state and federal levels.
NOTE: This program has been rescheduled at the request of Superintendent Outley due to a scheduling conflict. Previously purchased tickets will be honored on the new date unless a refund is requested by emailing Press Club Administrator Emily Henthorn at akronpressclub@gmail.com.
Program: Akron Public Schools Superintendent Mary B. Outley.
Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
Time: Doors open at 11 a.m. for buffet luncheon. Program begins at noon.
Place: Quaker Station, 135 S. Broadway, Akron, Ohio.
Cost: $35 per individual. $280 for table of 8.
REGISTER HERE
Or contact Emily Henthorn, Press Club administrator, at akronpressclub@gmail.com.
Check only accepted day of event.
Reservation deadline: Noon, Thursday, February 26, 2026.
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.
About Superintendent Outley
Mary B. Outley has dedicated her career to serving the students and families of Akron Public
Schools. She became superintendent on May 27, 2025, after previously serving as interim
superintendent. A proud graduate of APS, she leads the district with a deep understanding of its
history, its challenges, and a vision for its future.
Superintendent Outley believes students must always come first. Her leadership is focused on
strengthening trust, bringing people together, and ensuring every child has access to
high-quality learning opportunities. She oversees one of Ohio’s largest urban school districts,
serving more than 19,000 students across 43 schools and CLCs and district facilities, supported
by more than 3,700 employees and an annual operating budget of approximately half a billion
dollars.
A veteran educator, Ms. Outley’s path to the superintendency was built inside APS schools. She
has served as a classroom teacher, principal, Director of Elementary Education, and Executive
Director of School Leadership. Her experience at every level of the system shapes a practical,
student-centered approach to leadership, with a clear focus on teaching, learning, and
continuous improvement.
Superintendent Outley is a proud graduate of John R. Buchtel High School. She earned both
her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from The University of Akron and holds
principal and superintendent licensure. She is also a graduate of Leadership Akron Class 37
and remains actively engaged with community and regional partners to support students from
early learning through postsecondary pathways.
Her service has been recognized through numerous honors, including the Summit County
Education Celebration Lifetime Achievement Award, the Martin Luther King Drum Major Award,
Project GRAD Akron’s Champion of GRAD, the Akron Council of PTAs’ Helping Hand Award,
and being named the Erie Island Teacher of the Year.
She is the immediate past president of the Akron Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority, Inc., a public service organization committed to education, community engagement,
and social action.
Outside of her professional role, Superintendent Outley enjoys interior design and values time
with family, especially her nephews and niece.
Proceeds from Akron Press Club events fund scholarships for journalism and public relations students. Last year the Press Club, in conjunction with the John S. Knight Memorial Journalism Fund, awarded nine scholarships of $5,000 each to college students. The Press Club also partnered with the Sojourner Truth Project to offer two scholarships of $5,000 each to graduating Akron Public Schools students who will study journalism. The Press Club sincerely thanks Summit County, Dr. Aileen Thong and Elizabeth Bartz for their donations to the scholarship fund.
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.