AKRON — The Akron Education Association (AEA) issued a 10-day strike notice to the Akron Public Schools (APS) Board of Education Dec. 29. According to AEA officials, the teachers union has been meeting with the board and a federal mediator since March and, most recently, Dec. 20 and 27. Officials stated in a Dec. 28 letter to members: “During those mediation sessions, it was made abundantly clear to the AEA team that the Board continues to have little to no desire to bargain in good faith, answer public record requests which they are legally required to do, or make any real attempt to support their indefensible proposals.” AEA officials also noted in the letter that while it “stands committed and 100% open to negotiating a fair resolution to all outstanding issues, we are united and fully prepared to strike at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 9. We take this action as a last resort based on this administration and the Board’s continued disdain for the facts.” AEA members were advised to return to work Jan. 5 and 6 and to remove all personal items of value because they won’t have access to the buildings after they leave on Jan. 6. APS students are expected to return from their winter break Jan. 6. According to a district document, if the teachers strike Jan. 9, families will receive an email and an all-call message instructing students to pivot to online learning. The document also states that having students attend school through virtual classrooms during a strike “potentially limits the days needed to make-up later in the year.” During the potential strike, school buildings will only be open as Student Support Centers and to provide grab-and-go bags of lunch and a breakfast from 11 a.m. to noon at nine locations. For families who do not have childcare options during a strike, APS will launch a pre-registration process and offer Student Support Centers at Ellet Community Learning Center (CLC), Jennings CLC, Innes CLC, Portage Path CLC and Robinson CLC for pre-registered students in kindergarten through fifth grade daily from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. After-school activities and athletic practices and competitions will be temporarily suspended but transportation services for eligible students enrolled in non-APS schools will continue. As of press time, the board and district officials were expected to hold a special meeting on the evening of Jan. 5.

AKRON — Akron City Council has launched the Akron Safe Pledge Program to create COVID-safe environments at Akron restaurants and bars with between three and 40 employees for both customers and employees. Council President Margo Sommerville (D-Ward 3) stated that up to 100 eligible restaurants and bars that complete the program’s activities will receive financial support to help cover the costs of offering a safe, protected dining experience. Participating businesses will be required to attend a COVID-19 Safe Workplace training hosted by Summit County Public Health and complete a COVID-19 Workplace Safety Checklist aimed at protecting employees and customers. Businesses that complete the requirements will be provided with an award of $2,500 to help cover the costs of maintaining a safe and protected dining experience. Officials stated the $250,000 program is funded with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money, with awards to be dispersed on a first-come-first-served basis until funds are exhausted. Applications are available at www.akroncitycouncil.org/akron-safe-pledge. “As the COVID-19 virus continues to evolve and cases are on the rise again, we proactively support our local food establishments in providing safe environments and remaining open for business,” said Sommerville. “Restaurant patrons can identify food establishments that have completed the program by Akron Safe Pledge Program Certificates of Completion,” added Council Vice President Jeff Fusco (D-at large).

AKRON — The period to accept applications for the City of Akron Citizens’ Oversight Board has been reopened until Jan. 24 at noon. According to city officials, the passage of Issue 10 during the 2022 November General Election changed the composition and scope of the board, which had been previously approved by Akron City Council. The new board will now be made up of nine Akron residents, with three to be appointed by the mayor with approval from City Council and six to be appointed by a two-thirds majority of Council. No more than two members will be from the same ward. Applicants with the following characteristics will be considered: between ages 18-35; attorneys with criminal justice and/or civil rights experience; from the faith-based community; having a professional background in mental health services; affiliation with an organization representing economically disadvantaged and underserved communities in Akron; and having a professional background in law enforcement. Officials stated the almost 60 individuals who previously applied for a seat on the board will still be considered alongside the new applicants. The board will provide external and independent overview of Akron policing practices after adopting rules for procedures and operations, as well as for the Office of the Independent Police Auditor (OIPA). The OIPA will consist of three full-time employees including an independent police auditor, a deputy independent police auditor and an administrative staff member. Applications are available at akronohio.gov. Completed forms can be emailed back to citizenoversight@akronohio.gov, along with a copy of a current resume. Residents may also pick up a copy of the application at City Hall, 166 S. High St., Akron, OH 44308. Proposed appointments will be introduced to Akron City Council Feb. 6, with the appointments expected to be approved by the end of the month.

GREATER AKRON — Summit Metro Parks is once again accepting live Christmas trees for recycling into mulch used to beautify park grounds. Officials stated that on average about 1,000 trees are collected each year. The resulting mulch is spread out near trailheads and used to create landscaping compost. Trees cleaned of all decorations, garland and tinsel may be dropped off at the following locations through Jan. 31: • Sand Run Metro Park/Treaty Line area at 995 Treaty Line Road; • Firestone Metro Park/Little Turtle Pond at 2400 Harrington Road; • Goodyear Heights Metro Park/main entrance (rear parking lot) at 2077 Newton St.; • Furnace Run Metro Park/Brushwood area at 4955 Townsend Road in Richfield; and • Silver Creek Metro Park/Big Oak area at 5199 Medina Line Road in Norton. Participants should look for small signs that identify the drop-off locations.

GREATER AKRON — In an agreement with Special Olympics Ohio (SOOH) and the Ohio Alliance of YMCAs (Ohio YMCA), the Akron Area YMCA will provide free memberships for registered athletes and approved private providers who meet certain eligibility criteria. To be eligible, each SOOH athlete will be asked to fill out a request form. Athletes will then receive a confirmation letter from their local organization, which can then be brought to a participating YMCA. In addition to the free membership, SOOH athletes will receive one free personal training/wellness coaching/wellness instructor session. In addition, SOOH will offer free training in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), as well as other educational training opportunities, for YMCA staff. SOOH will also help fund resources for YMCA facility enhancements and/or equipment for athletes and members use. “This is an incredible partnership to benefit our athletes and community-based organizations,” said SOOH CEO Jessica Stewart. “Not only will our athletes be able to enjoy the benefits of exercise, but they will also be able to spend time training for their year-round competitions.” “Our YMCAs enthusiastically embrace and support this partnership and look forward to continuing to build on the success of our organizations,” said Ohio YMCAs Executive Director Beth Tsvetkoff. “Meeting the needs of communities we serve is at the heart of our mission, and this partnership will help ensure we are elevating diversity, equity and inclusion work throughout Ohio and help all people reach their full potential.”

SUMMIT COUNTY — The Summit County Board of Revision will accept complaints against the valuation of real estate until March 31. Summit County property owners who do not agree with the county valuation of their real estate have the opportunity to file complaint form DTE 1. When a complaint is filed, the board holds a hearing, considers testimony or evidence provided and issues a decision on whether an adjustment should be made to the property valuation. The board does not hear complaints regarding real estate taxes. Property owners may obtain the form at FiscalOffice.summitoh.net under the Board of Revision Complaint link; by calling 330-926-2559 or 330-643-2636; or emailing BOR@summitoh.net. Complaint forms must be signed, dated and notarized and mailed, along with evidence, to the Summit County Fiscal Office, 175 S. Main St., Room 302, Akron, OH 44308, or to the satellite location at Summit County Board of Revision, 1180 S. Main St., Suite 250, Akron, OH 44301; or may be hand delivered by 4 p.m. March 31 to either location. In addition, the complaint forms may be submitted electronically at FiscalOffice.summitoh.net. Electronic submissions are not subject to the notary requirement, and evidence should be submitted in person, by U.S. mail or emailed to BOR@summitoh.net.

The following is a partial list of the Ohio Department of Health death notices for October. Terri L. Whitenack, Barberton, died Oct. 4, 2022 Patricia A. Wigington, Akron, died Oct. 6, 2022 Billy R. Williams, Springfield, died Oct. 14, 2022 Samuel L Williams, New Franklin, died Sept. 23, 2022 Shirley...

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