NewsNight
Akron to welcome Akron Public Schools superintendents
Host Eric Mansfield to discuss school system’s
challenges with David James and Dr. Sylvester Small
KENT, Ohio — April 16, 2008 — David
James, the Akron Public Schools’ newly appointed superintendent,
joins Eric Mansfield on NewsNight Akron this Friday,
April 18, at 9 p.m. The program repeats on Saturday, April 19 at
5 a.m.
James, whose appointment will begin on Aug.
1, 2008, takes over a district facing tough challenges with declining
enrollment at a time when the system is undergoing an $800 million
makeover with new and renovated school buildings. James, who has
two children attending the Akron Schools, comes with high praise
from city and education leaders, despite having never served as
either a teacher or principal.
James began his career in the district in
1992, serving as the environmental program manager and as the energy,
environmental health and safety manager. He was promoted to executive
director of business affairs in 2002. In his current position,
James is responsible for the operations side of the district and
the $800 million building project. He is actively involved in the
Harvard ExEL initiative to improve teaching and learning. James
earned a bachelor of arts degree in economics and a master’s
degree in Public Administration, both from Cleveland State University.
Dr. Sylvester Small, the current superintendent
who announced his plans to retire in November 2007, will also appear
on the program to discuss the transition of power, which is set
to take place later this summer, and the tough road ahead for his
successor.
Watch
online
About NewsNight Akron
NewsNight Akron airs every Friday night at 9
p.m. on Western Reserve Public Media and offers spontaneous, lively, in-depth
discussions about issues that affect the lives of people in greater
Akron. Hosted by Eric Mansfield, Akron-Canton news anchor for
WKYC-TV3, NewsNight Akron features a roundtable
discussion with a panel of local journalists that covers both
breaking news stories on topics such as education, the community
and local business, as well as ongoing subjects including elections
and major news stories. Serving as regular panelists on the show
are Steve Hoffman, political writer at the Akron Beacon Journal;
Jody Miller, editor and publisher of Bath Country Journal; and
Ed Esposito, Joe Jastzremski and Larry States, all of whom are
members of the Rubber City Radio Group news staff.
About Western Reserve Public Media
Western Reserve Public Media is owned and operated by Northeastern Educational Television
of Ohio, Inc., a private, nonprofit corporation and consortium of Kent State
University, The University of Akron and Youngstown State University. A trusted
community resource, Western Reserve Public Media uses the power of commercial-free television
and related services to enrich the lives of people through high-quality programming
and educational services that teach, illuminate and inspire. The only broadcast
television service that reaches all of northeast Ohio, Western Reserve Public Media is available
to 1.8 million households and 4.6 million people in the Cleveland and Youngstown
designated market areas. In an average week, over 500,000 households tune in.
Through funding from eTech Ohio, the organization provides K-12 educational
technology training and instructional television programming to 21,500 educators
and 257,400 students in eight Ohio counties. For more information about Western Reserve Public Media, visit www.WesternReservePublicMedia.org or call 1-800-554-4549.
