Akron teachers union will discuss safety concerns with district

Akron Public Schools is working to get a handle on an increase in violent incidents involving its students.

The teachers union blames the disruptive behavior on the pandemic and the district's response. The issue will be the focus of a meeting between the union and the district Thursday, according to Akron Education Association President Patricia Shipe.

“We’re going to present evidence of concerns with weapons in buildings, how we’re handling lockdowns, how we are informing our staff of what’s going on, various topics that are concerns,” she said.

In an email to WKSU, Akron Public Schools spokesman Mark Williamson said the district has “put strong security measures in place this year and held more students accountable for their disruptive behavior than in any of the past five years.”

Copyright 2021 WKSU. To see more, visit WKSU.