Akron Students Speak Out to Save GEAR UP

By Ralph N. Paulk and Marilyn Miller Paulk, APS Storytellers

Darshawn McCraney, a North CLC junior, may not understand why Akron Public Schools stands to lose $3.6 million in federal funding for the district’s GEAR UP program. Yet, he’s come to grips with the fact that the potential cuts could severely impact his classmates’ academic futures.

McCraney, like many other students enrolled in GEAR UP, are anxiously awaiting APS’ appeal to the funding cuts, which is slated for Friday.

The grant for GEAR UP [Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs] is scheduled to begin the fifth year of a seven-year cycle on Wednesday, Oct. 1. High school students receiving mentorship through the program are now in their sophomore and junior years.

"These students are at a critical point in their lives. They're the first in their families who even considered college," Superintendent Mary Outley said during Monday’s school board meeting. "They began this program when they were in sixth grade and now at a crucial point when they are ready to access things for which they are preparing for, the support will no longer be available."

Dr. Carla Jackson, Akron School Board president, said the cuts aren’t really savings because students pay the price. “To lose such significant funding is not just a financial blow, it is somewhat a betrayal of every student’s future that relies on this funding,” said Jackson. 

Whatever the outcome Friday, McCraney’s confidence hasn’t been shaken by the uncertainty of a system that promised it would secure his future. As a 7th-grader, assurances of a pathway for a prospective first-generation college student appeared plausible.

“I'm really hoping I'll have good news on Friday,” said Yvonne Culver, the district's director of school counseling and student wellness. “I'm hoping for the best, but I'm planning for the worst. We could lose services for 1,500 kids and the loss of livelihood for five staff members. Right now, I’m hopeful because if any grants are restored it should be us.”

Culver is hoping GEAR UP finds a safe landing space, in part, so the district can fulfill its promise to students who have been invested in the program since middle school. 

“All of the promises we’ve been making since that group was in the seventh grade would be shattered,” Culver said. “I definitely feel that some of the students, especially those who would have been advisers in their schools, have been almost in tears, and if we find out on Friday that there's nothing we can do, it'll be a lot of tears.” 

McCraney and his classmates remain cautiously optimistic that APS administrators can persuade the federal government to spare GEAR UP. However, the students have taken the initiative to control the program’s fate by explaining the importance of the program.

“I knew a lot of people, but I didn’t speak to any of them,” McCraney said. “GEAR UP made me understand that education is important, but you have to learn how to be a person without getting pushed outside your comfort zone.”

GEAR UP is more than just a project or program for students at Buchtel, East, Garfield and North. It’s given students an opportunity for personal growth and an invaluable chance to develop academically beyond their imaginations.

For McCraney, field trips become explorations – a journey of possibilities to view a world once only a blur before GEAR UP opened his eyes and mind to a future that seemed unattainable.

“I never would have taken college trips on my own accord,” said McCraney, one of many students to participate in a video presentation highlighting the importance of GEAR UP. “Now, I’ve managed to get other people to go. So, GEAR UP teaches you to be a person, and not just in school.

“For me, losing GEAR UP would be like having nothing. We will be losing our futures.”

District officials said they have filed an appeal, but if that's unsuccessful, seven employees who provide mentoring to students on their future careers will be laid off when the grant ends on Wednesday, Oct. 1.

Culver said the reasons given by the federal government for the cancellation are related to diversity, equity and inclusion components of the program.

The students are seemingly trapped in a bureaucratic web, yet they remain confident. It’s why many of them voiced their concerns with video presentations in hopes of saving a program that’s provided an off ramp to success. 

Zion Roberts, a North CLC student, spent an inordinate amount of time piecing together the presentation. He diligently sorted through interviews from a diverse student body with wide range of opinions and thoughts on the sudden fragility of a GEAR UP program that’s been influential in all their lives.

“Zion was the one that was at school until like six o'clock that night editing it,” Culver said, “so the next day I bought him lunch.

Roberts is always looking for something to do after school. So, editing the visual presentation fit perfectly into his schedule. More importantly, it reflects how GEAR UP has influenced and heightened his ambitions.

“It’s helped me become a better person,” he said, “but I can’t believe I’m doing things in my everyday life that I can’t believe I was living without.”

And many of his North CLC classmates feel similarly.

“It’s an awesome experience, so GEAR UP needs to stay so students can envision their future,” said Sikha Magar. “I can’t imagine life without college, and that’s instilled in me by this program.”

”GEAR UP helps students communicate with each other, understand different cultures,” said Prasansha Bhujel, a 15-year-old sophomore. “It’s also about showing each other respect.”

Lorenzo Leatherwood, 16, offered an emotional plea to those seeking to withdraw funds. The sophomore spoke passionately about feeling as if there was no place in this country for him until GEAR UP instructors convinced him otherwise.

“I found a purpose and confidence – that maybe I can make something of myself in this country,” said Leatherwood, a junior. “I know there are a lot of kids just like me. 

“Before the (GEAR UP) program, I was a young and lost kid who felt like there was no place for me in this world, really. Now, I found purpose. I’ve found my voice.” 

GEAR UP staff reductions possible 

While the students will be adversely affected by the reduction of funds, there’s a possibility of personnel cuts among the GEAR UP staff.

“We have five staffers who have salaries that are 100 percent paid through the grant,” Culver said. “Since we value their positions we would try to absorb them into different roles, and they would be completely different roles.” 

Additionally, Project Grad Akron, the lead partner with GEAR UP the past four years, will also be directly affected. Project Grad received $350,000 of the $1 million grant, which is received annually. 

The Project Grad funding is used primarily for contractual services. Also, it provides four college and career advisors for the grant.

“We’re pretty upset after learning they aren’t going to continue the grant for this fifth year,” said Laurie Curfman, Director of Programs for Project Grad.

“Our main concern is losing the strong personal relationships the advisors have working with the students on a daily basis and helping them prepare for life after high school,” Curfman said. “The most important piece is helping them develop their social and emotional skills because we know having strong emotional skills positively impacts academics and their career pursuits.” 

“It has been devastating and of course our hope is that they will, upon an appeal, continue the grant. But if they don’t, Project Grad will be in a bad way. By dismantling the Department of Education, they are cutting all the important stuff.”

Curfman said the financial loss will also affect an already small staff of nine full-time employees and two part-time positions.

“We are one of nine sites across the country whose grants were discontinued, and out of the nine grants, five are in Ohio,” Curfman said. “Cleveland has three, Columbus and Akron have one, and the state GEAR UP program has one. Advocacy efforts are out there, hopefully beyond the city of Akron.”

For Darshawn McCraney and his North CLC classmates, they are hoping those advocating on their behalf can deliver a convincing enough argument to save GEAR UP – a program that has provided them both purpose and direction.