AKRON, Ohio — Following the approval of new budget reductions, Akron Public Schools Superintendent Dr. C. Michael Robinson is responding to claims that he's engaged in union-busting tactics, particularly claims that he referred to the district's teachers union as "the devil."
"I don't have to go around calling people 'devils,'" Robinson told 3News Wednesday. "That's not me."
The controversy comes after Robinson spoke at a Sunday service at Second Baptist Church in Akron before Monday's Board of Education meeting. The Board was set to vote on teacher and staff cuts.
In his 20-minute talk to the congregation, Robinson refers to biblical passage 1 Peter 5:8, saying, "You're going to hear the ugly on tomorrow, because that's what the devil does. The devil is coming to seek who he can devour and destroy, but I’m telling you that we’re going to walk out of 10 North Main on tomorrow night as victorious."
The Board went on to vote to pass two of the three resolutions involving employee reduction of force by a tally of 5-1. The third resolution of a reduction of force to teachers passed 6-1, with Bruce Alexander approving cuts to the number of teachers but abstaining on cuts to other employees. Rene Molenaur was the only board member to vote no on all three resolutions.
Before the meeting, the Akron Education Association held a rally, speaking out against Robinson's leadership.
"The superintendent spoke publicly at a church here in Akron. He stated that an APS union was the devil and that he was being crucified," AEA Second Vice President Janell Brown told the crowd of about 150 people. "There are continued actions by this superintendent to break your spirits, break your resolve, abolish your right to representation."
Claims of union-busting and retaliation
Union leaders claim Robinson has not been transparent. They say he called the administration building at 10 North Main Street "his house," and that he's retaliating against people who speak out against him.
"I don't know where any of that stuff came from," Robinson said of the allegations. "I’m not going to mistreat anybody and do something wrong, knowingly wrong, no. If I do something in error ... I don’t have a problem apologizing and saying 'I'm sorry.'"
Robinson says APS employees accused of misconduct deal with the labor relations team, and not him directly.
"The reason why I have labor relations — which is something new to our school district — is because the superintendent should never be involved, until it is necessary, in personnel matters."
The AEA is also accusing Robinson of union-busting practices, telling WKYC Monday that Robinson plans to replace teachers who currently work in the district's central office with non-union employees. APS is currently implementing $24 million in budget cuts to avoid an operating deficit.
"There are 58 union members that are employed here. He wants to eliminate every one of those jobs," AEA Counsel Don Malarcik says. "Then he says if you want to come back and work in this building, you have to leave the union. That’s union-busting. That’s wrong. That’s not budget cutting."
Robinson's response is that the 58 teachers who were doing administrative work at the central office are classroom teachers who should be working in a classroom. They will be returning to schools to teach next school year, bumping teachers with lower seniority out of their jobs.
The work the 58 teachers were doing at the administrative building is being dispersed amongst remaining employees, according to Robinson.
"Where we may have to hire someone, we're going to have to look at that at that time," Robinson explained. "We're just trying to get through this part of the process right now."
Additionally, Robinson asserts that he's pro-union.
"I didn't change from what I said to the Board when I interviewed. If I was pro-union then, I'm pro-union today," he said. "I am not about trying to dilute the union. That is furthest from the truth."
Overall, Robinson stresses he wants the spotlight to be put back on APS students.
"We're having so many conversations about adults and very little conversations about the children," he told us. "I want us to stay focused on our purpose for why we all have an income, and that is on our babies, that is on our kids, our scholars, and that's where I stay focused."
What's next for Akron Public Schools?
The district is preparing to put a combination levy on the November ballot, which includes a 1.3-mill bond issue to build a new North High School and a 7.6-mill operating levy. Per the superintendent, the combined cost of the levy to Akron homeowners would be $311.50 annually for every $100,000 of their home's value.
"I know it’s going to be a sacrifice, but I'm hoping they (the community) will support us in November," Robinson added.
The board will vote on moving forward with the levy and the five-year forecast on Tuesday.
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