About Us

About the Office of School Climate

(formerly  the Office of Drug/Violence Prevention)

In the fall of 1985, the Akron Council of PTAs approached Superintendent Conrad C. Ott, asking that a position be established to deal with the prevention/intervention of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs' (ATOD) use and abuse. After studying what was in effect in other school districts of Akron's size, the Board established the position of Coordinator of Outreach Services in March 1986 and developed a board policy for students and staff.

In the fall of 1986, the Federal government passed the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act, which provided the school system with funding to further the prevention/intervention of Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs' (ATOD) use and abuse issues. Since 1986, the original federal act has been revised and is now the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act. Akron Public Schools has received funding for ATOD prevention/intervention through competitive federal, state and local grants.

Over the years, the position and the department have changed to coincide with federal mandates. On June 30, 2010, the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities dollars were eliminated for all 50 states; and schools are no longer receiving funding through those funds.

The Office of Drug and Violence changed its name to the Office of School Climate in 2011 due to the evolving needs of the district.