Akron Public Schools finally has its own lawyer.
The school board on July 28 approved the hiring of David Sipusic as its new general counsel, the district’s first in-house attorney in over six years.
The board had approved the creation of the position last year, but it had gone unfilled.
Sipusic will make an annual salary of $183,155.73. His hiring is effective Aug. 1.
In the same meeting, the board also appointed a temporary treasurer and chief financial officer. Wayne Bowers, one of the district’s two assistant treasurers, will serve in the interim role while the board conducts a search for the permanent position.
Treasurer and CFO Steve Thompson resigned from APS to take another job. His last day is July 31.
The hiring of a general counsel has been a priority for the Akron school board, with members often expressing desire during meetings for an attorney to be present to answer questions as needed. Many issues have been pushed to other meetings over a need for answers to legal questions.
A 2024 transition report also called out the district’s excessive legal fees to outside attorneys, topping over $1 million in a year, due to the district not having its own in-house counsel.
Sipusic comes to the district from law firm Mazanec, Raskin & Ryder Co., where he served clients in the areas of public sector law, school law and civil rights. His previously served as associate general counsel for Youngstown State University, and chief equity compliance officer and Title IX coordinator for both the University of Dayton and John Carroll University. He is also a previous legal counsel for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.
In a release, the district administration described him as “an accomplished attorney and strategic advisor, bringing over two decades of extensive legal and leadership experience to APS.”
“His career reflects a strong commitment to equity, integrity, and educational excellence, with a specialized focus on public education, higher education, civil rights compliance, and risk management,” the release said.
Superintendent Mary Outley said she was “thrilled” to have Sipusic on board.
“His comprehensive experience in navigating complex legal landscapes, coupled with his dedication to educational excellence, will be instrumental as we continue to uphold the highest standards of governance and provide the best possible outcomes for our students and staff,” she said in a statement.
The district’s interim treasurer, Bowers, is an internal appointment, having served as assistant treasurer since 2018.
He has held an Ohio treasurer’s license since 1998, and previously served as fiscal officer with the Northeast Ohio Network for Educational Technology, as assistant treasurer at Portage Lakes Career Center, and as an accountant at the Twinsburg City School District. He also has experience working as an assistant auditor with the State of Ohio Auditor’s Office.
Board President Carla Jackson said in a statement the board was grateful for Thompson’s contributions and “wish him well in his new role.”
Of Bowers, Jackson said: “His proven track record and familiarity with Akron Public Schools’ financial operations make him an ideal choice to lead our fiscal department during this period. We are committed to maintaining strong financial oversight and will begin an immediate search for a permanent replacement to ensure the long-term fiscal health of our district.”
The board at the July 28 meeting also formally accepted the resignation of Assistant Superintendent Tamea Caver, who is also leaving the district for another job. Outley has not said how or if that position will be filled.
The board also approved the retirement of longtime administrator Yvonne Culver, who retires as the director of school counselors and student wellness, and previously served as the director of college access.
Contact education reporter Jennifer Pignolet at jpignolet@thebeaconjournal.com, at 330-996-3216 or on Twitter @JenPignolet.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Public Schools finally has its own lawyer, also names interim treasurer
Reporting by Jennifer Pignolet, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
