Akron Public Schools officials are inviting parents from the Firestone Park, Kenmore and North Hill communities to meet with them to discuss the district’s future consolidation plans.
The Akron Board of Education voted earlier this month to consolidate Garfield and Kenmore high schools at what will be the city’s final newly constructed high school in a nearly $800 million districtwide construction project done in partnership with the city of Akron and the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission.
The plan also includes a merger of the two high schools’ feeder middle schools — Roswell Kent and Innes — at the Innes Community Learning Center site in the Kenmore cluster. In addition, Bettes Elementary School will be consolidated into the new Harris-Jackson Community Learning Center in the North High School cluster.
The school closings and consolidations are the result of declining enrollment in the district. School board members have acknowledged that if enrollment continues to decline, there will be future discussions about more consolidations. The district is also discussing the possibility of consolidating sports programs.
Meeting dates for parents in the North Hill, Kenmore and Firestone Park neighborhoods to discuss consolidation plans are as follows:
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday: Bettes Elementary School, to discuss plans to consolidate with the new Harris-Jackson Community Learning Center. Bettes is at 1333 Betana Ave.
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday: Roswell Kent Middle School, to discuss plans to move students from Roswell Kent to Innes Community Learning Center. Roswell Kent is at 1445 Hammel St.
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 2: Garfield High School, to discuss plans to merge high schools with Kenmore. Garfield is at 435 N. Firestone Blvd.
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 7: Innes Community Learning Center, to discuss consolidation with Roswell Kent. Innes is at 1999 East Ave.
• 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 9: Kenmore High School, to discuss plans to merge with Garfield. Kenmore is at 2140 13th St. SW.