Akron Public Schools has placed its director of safety and security, Al Jones, on administrative leave following an employee complaint alleging that a workplace meeting escalated into a physical confrontation.
Superintendent Mary Outley confirmed the administrative leave to Signal Akron. News 5 Cleveland also reported that the school district confirmed Jones had been placed on leave.
The complaint was filed by an Akron Public Schools safety officer who reported meeting with Jones about a transfer from I Promise School to Ellet Community Learning Center.
According to Signal Akron’s reporting on the complaint, the employee alleged that Jones became verbally hostile during the meeting and that the situation escalated into physical contact.
The allegations are contained in an employee complaint and have not been established as findings of fact.
Administrative leave allows the district to address the complaint while Jones is away from his regular duties.
Jones serves as the district’s director of safety and security, a position responsible for school safety operations across Akron Public Schools.
The district has not publicly announced a final disciplinary decision in connection with the complaint.
The reported incident occurred as Akron Public Schools began the new academic year and continued managing safety staffing across district buildings.
Signal Akron first reported details of the employee complaint and Superintendent Outley’s confirmation that Jones was placed on administrative leave. News 5 subsequently reported the district’s confirmation.
The complaint describes a disagreement related to the safety officer’s work assignment and transfer.
Because the matter involves an internal personnel complaint, the administrative process remains separate from any final determination about the allegations.
Akron Public Schools serves students throughout the city of Akron and is one of the largest school districts in Northeast Ohio.
The district’s safety and security department works with school administrators and other personnel on building security, student safety and emergency response.
Jones remains on administrative leave while the district addresses the matter.
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