Akron Public Schools Grapple With 162 Vacancies Ahead of School Year
With just over a week before classes start, Akron Public Schools (APS) is working to fill 162 educator positions across its 47 schools, about 8% of its teaching and classroom support workforce, a gap that underscores the urgency of upholding every child’s fundamental right to a quality education.
The vacancies include 94 teacher roles, 52 paraprofessional positions, and 8 secretary jobs, with special education staff in high demand. The district is also looking for bus drivers and nutrition team members.
“I don’t believe in the very recent past we’ve ever had that many vacancies,” said Pat Shipe, president of the Akron Education Association. “It’s difficult to fill those with qualified people.”
A National Problem Hits Home
APS says the shortage reflects a broader national crisis. The Learning Policy Institute recently reported that 1 in 8 teaching positions in the U.S. are either unfilled or staffed by uncertified individuals. In Ohio, 2,215 of the state’s 100,659 teachers last school year lacked proper certification for the subjects they taught.
Recruitment Strategies in Motion
To address the shortage, APS will host a Talent Fair on Wednesday, Aug. 20, offering on-the-spot interviews. The district is also:
- Partnering with Teach for America to recruit recent graduates.
- Seeking ways to rehire retired teachers for hard-to-fill roles.
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Expanding the Ohio Grow Your Own program with Stark State College, providing scholarships for paraprofessionals to become certified teachers.
Union Pushes for Cultural Shift
Shipe says restoring classroom autonomy is key to recruiting and retaining teachers. She also pointed to the leadership climate under former superintendent Dr. Michael Robinson, whose tenure was marked by a toxic workplace finding. Robinson resigned in April; longtime APS employee Mary Outley is now superintendent.
Commitment to the Future
“The preparation for this school year has been robust and strategic,” Outley said. “Our focus is not just on filling positions for today, but on building a sustainable and resilient educator workforce for the future.”
