North High School’s athletic director, Carrie Stewart, has resigned from Akron Public Schools amid an investigation into alleged wrongdoing. Stewart, who was placed on administrative leave in May, submitted her resignation in a brief letter on January 14, effective immediately. The Board of Education accepted her resignation on January 27.
The investigation, which concluded in July, found that Stewart had violated the school district’s ethics policy multiple times. This included leaving unauthorized video cameras in her office, allowing unsupervised students in her office, and refusing to move her office despite directives from the North High School principal. The report also stated that she provided false information to the principal about a missing student.
Another report in October looked into whether Stewart had taken supplemental contracts for coaching and advising roles without fulfilling the work. It was unclear whether she had carried out these duties, and evidence to make a determination was lacking. Additionally, Stewart recommended her daughters, Erika and Emily Johnson, for coaching positions at the school, which violated APS Policy on conflict of interest.
Stewart’s resignation came after she was informed by her attorney that the district was moving to terminate her. Her attorney emphasized that her resignation was not an admission of wrongdoing but a way to avoid lengthy litigation. The Board of Education expressed concern over the fact that Stewart continued to receive a paycheck despite the findings of the investigation.
The investigation into Stewart followed an inquiry into former North High School Principal Kathryn Rodocker, who was cleared of allegations of creating a toxic work environment. Issues at North High School continued to surface, with Stewart’s office being a hub for student activity. Stewart was accused of encouraging students to skip class, leaving unauthorized video cameras in her office, and violating fundraising policies.
The investigation highlighted Stewart’s actions demonstrating poor judgment and a lack of personal integrity. She refused to be interviewed for the report, and her attorney believed the investigations into both Rodocker and Stewart were biased and flawed. The school district did not comment on personnel investigations, and the Board of Education president highlighted the importance of maintaining structure and a conducive learning environment in schools.
Overall, the investigation into Stewart’s conduct revealed multiple instances of policy violations and questionable behavior, ultimately leading to her resignation from Akron Public Schools. The district will continue to address the issues identified in the reports and uphold accountability standards within the educational institution.