Following a months-long investigation, Akron Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Michael Robinson has been placed on paid administrative leave, the district said.
The Akron School Board took the step during a special meeting Tuesday evening.
This comes after a flood of allegations and criticism surfaced against Robinson regarding his conduct, such as violating public records law over disappearing emails and creating a hostile work environment.
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In December, the board hired two outside firms to conduct an investigation that involved interviews with 16 people. Its report was delivered to members this week.
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"There were multiple credible accounts of bullying, intimidation, and retaliation by Dr. Robinson against APS employees, including administrators and former APS employees," school board president Carla Jackson said.
The 24-page report alleges Robinson "has bullied, harassed, intimidated, and retaliated against current and former APS employees, creating a hostile working environment." It also states he has made derogatory statements and has behaved in a "hostile manner" toward reporters and students.
Robinson allegedly began attacking the former director of communications when the director offered feedback on how to deal with the media, according to the report.
“Dr. Robinson clearly has a difficult and distrusting relationship with the media," the report stated.
During meetings, Robinson allegedly "regularly berates and humiliates APS staff," and tries to intimidate them by threatening to fire them, the report said.
Multiple witnesses have seen Robinson conduct independent meetings with employees to berate them for providing feedback on Robinson's policies, the report stated.
Witnesses also described a time when Robinson "took the Communications Department out of a Think Tank meeting into an open hallway and berated them so loudly that people from two floors up came downstairs to see what was happening," the report said.
Additionally, multiple witnesses said Robinson has made religious-based statements that came across as "threatening and intimidating." Some of the statements they say Robinson made include: “I am ordained by God,” “I am the great I am,” and “I have divine discernment.”
In the report, it said Robinson would imply that harm occurs to anyone who opposes him.
"Multiple witnesses recounted times when Dr. Robinson told APS staff that his former supervisor got cancer because he treated Dr. Robinson poorly,” the report said.
Brenna Manna Diamond, one of the outside firms, concluded that Robinson violated the following APS policies:
- Public Records Policy
- Whistleblower Policy
- Anti-Harassment Policy
Additionally, BMD said Robinson violated the following professional standards:
- Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators – Rules 1(e) and (f)
- Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Ohio Educators – Rules 2(e) and (f)
- The National Education Association’s Code of Ethics for Educators – Principle I
- The National Education Association’s Code of Ethics for Educators – Principle II
“There is a difference between having high expectations and holding employees accountable, and behaving in an unprofessional, toxic, demeaning, and hostile manner. A leader can be firm yet respectful. Dr. Robinson, however, has failed to be a firm, respectful leader. Instead, Dr. Robinson’s leadership creates a toxic and fearful working environment where employees are subject to pervasive ridicule, unjustified verbal abuse, and are under a constant threat of losing their jobs. There are examples of blatant retaliation that Dr. Robinson attempts to justify under the guise of restructuring. But the timing of protected activity with adverse employment action creates a strong presumption that Dr. Robinson is motivated by retaliatory purposes. Dr. Robinson shows a clear disrespect for other professionals, including the media, members of this Board, and to the students.”
The school board has appointed long-time district employee Mary Outley to serve as interim superintendent.
Board members say a final decision on Robinson's status could be made at the district's next board meeting in April.
Following the board's decision to place Robinson on paid administrative leave, Akron Mayor Shammas Malik released the following statement:
"Akron Public Schools is an essential institution in our community, and I know that Interim Superintendent Mary Outley and the outstanding staff and leadership at APS will help lead our city’s school district forward. I am confident in their abilities and unwavering commitment to Akron’s students, and I look forward to working with the entire APS team as we continue building on a strong city / school district partnership for the benefit of all Akron residents. In this moment, we all need to rally around APS, and focus on how to best uplift and support APS staff, teachers, and most importantly, Akron's students.”
