Five different principals have led Buchtel Community Learning Center over the past several years.
Some Buchtel community members don’t want yet another leadership change.
More than a dozen people, including recent graduates and school employees, attended the Akron school board meeting on June 8 to voice their support for Campus Principal LaCresia Denson and to urge the school board to keep her as Buchtel’s principal for next school year. Several attendees wore shirts that read “Buchtel vs. everybody,” with some also carrying signs in support of Denson. Seven of the attendees spoke to the board during the meeting’s public speaking portion.
Superintendent Mary Outley, a Buchtel graduate, said no decisions have been made regarding any principal assignments for next school year. She said district leaders will continue to conduct their annual review of administrative staffing before making a final recommendation to the school board.
Denson, a Buchtel graduate who joined Akron Public Schools as an employee in 2008 and has served as an athletic coach, teacher, assistant principal and interim principal before becoming Buchtel’s campus principal in 2023, could not be reached immediately for comment.
Buchtel graduates, employees voice support for principal
Multiple speakers praised Denson for creating a family atmosphere at Buchtel and challenging the community perception that the school is dangerous.
La’Joi Terrell, who graduated from Buchtel less than two weeks ago, said Denson taught her the importance of perseverance and became a safe space for many students.
“She changed my life by believing in me, encouraging me and helping me realize my true potential,” she said. “… Because of her leadership, Buchtel became more than just a place for students to learn. It became a community where students could grow, thrive and feel supported.”
Buchtel secretary Lola Booker-Brewer said the school has made great strides over the past four years under Denson’s leadership.
She cited the latest state report card that shows Buchtel is meeting overall state standards and state measures for graduation, closing learning gaps and student academic growth expectations. It is exceeding state standards in college career workforce and military readiness.
She said progress has been made despite a high number of staff transfers, retirements and other roadblocks.
Booker-Brewer addressed a recent survey by the Akron Education Association that found more than half of the responding teachers believed that Buchtel’s leadership was ineffective. The survey, which was obtained by the Akron Beacon Journal, shows that responding middle school and high school teachers also raised concerns about inconsistent student discipline, classroom disruptions, a building climate that doesn’t support effective teaching and learning and a lack of administrative support.
She questioned whether the union’s survey fairly represented Buchtel employees’ views, stating that only 17 of Buchtel’s 91 staff members responded. She said Denson still opted to create a six-step approach to address their concerns through her “Unified Path Forward” plan, which included accountability, efficiency and collaboration measures.
“The decision to move yet another principal out of our precious building will push Buchtel CLC back two steps and for at least a year or two,” Booker-Brewer said.
Tamara Walters shared how Denson helped her daughter flourish even though it meant transferring her to Firestone Community Learning Center. Christine Curry shared how Denson welcomed an Akron Alternative Academy student to Buchtel’s prom.
“She saw beyond labels and circumstances,” Curry said. “She chose compassion over convenience and belonging over exclusion.”
Reach Akron Beacon Journal education writer Kelli Weir at 330-580-8339 or kweir@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Buchtel grads, employees voice support for Principal LaCresia Denson
Reporting by Kelli Weir, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Kelli Weir, Akron Beacon Journal | USA TODAY Network
