Building of Dreams, Futures | Kenmore Community Celebrates Pfeiffer/Miller South Project

By Ralph N. Paulk, APS Storyteller

Superintendent Mary Outley, surrounded by young, energetic students, gazed upon the rubble and rocks spewed about a desolate Kenmore property to envision another triumphant step forward for Akron Public Schools.

On a site where Kenmore High School was once perched atop a hill, Outley gathered with nearly 300 guests on a chilly Thursday morning to celebrate the groundbreaking for a state-of-the-art facility that in the fall of 2028 will become home to both Pfeiffer Elementary and Miller South School for the Visual and Performing Arts.

Outley, flanked by a row of dignitaries – including Akron mayor Shamas Malik, school board president Barbara A. Sykes and state representative Veronica Sims – symbolically pitched forward a shovel full of dirt to launch a new beginning in Kenmore.

More importantly, the multi-million dollar project reflects a commitment to academic excellence. It’s a cornerstone of the superintendent’s willingness to establish the district as a leader in creative, innovative thinking in a rapidly transformative academic environment.

“I have been looking forward to this moment for a long time,” Outley began. “Standing here right now on this ground surrounded by this community, it feels even better than I imagined.”

“Today is more than groundbreaking. Today is a declaration – a declaration that the children of the Kenmore neighborhood, the children of this city are worth investing in. They are worth showing up for, and they are worth building something remarkable for, and that is exactly what we are doing.”

The Pfeiffer/Miller South building is the latest among the district’s building projects. Additionally, groundbreaking is scheduled for the North High School project next spring.

The school, which sits in the heart of a Kenmore neighborhood, will feature an array of advanced learning tools and a 750-seat auditorium.

“These schools represent more than money, they represent opportunities, promise and the belief that every child deserves the very best education,” Sykes said. “We’re here because of the hard work and dedication of many, starting with our current school board members and our superintendent.”

Outley credited former and current Akron Public School Board members for their ingenuity and forward thinking in advancing the project. She spoke of the board members’ unwavering commitment to the students.

“You made the hard decisions, you stayed the course,” Outley said, acknowledging the commitment of current board members, Rev. Gregory Harrison, Nathan Jarosz, Karmaya D. Kelly, Summer Hall, Rene T. Molenaur and Phil Montgomery. “Today, we see the result.” 

Outley, too, acknowledged the invaluable contributions of APS’ support staff, teachers, principals, administrators, and labor representatives. In addition, there’s community support from the Kenmore Neighborhood Development Corporation and South High Alumni.

“You show up every single day for our students, and sometimes under difficult circumstances, Outley said, “and you never stop believing in what's possible. This new investment is for you, too.”

Margo Snider, once the superintendent’s music teacher, helped fast forward the Miller South vision three decades ago. Soon after the groundbreaking ceremony, Snider embraced Marilyn Miller Paulk and Carol Miller, daughters of the school’s namesake, George C. Miller, who was APS’ first African American principal. 

“It takes a city to build schools worthy of its children, and Akron has shown up, ”Outley said.
”To our community members, our parents, neighbors, and residents of Kenmore and beyond, who raised their hands and said, our kids deserve better, and we are not going to stop until they get it, this day belongs to you.”

It’s a shot in the arm for a cluster that watched a tradition-rich high school come tumbling down just over a year ago. Now, the project is a boost for the community, a jubilant Outley proclaimed.

“The Kenmore community has a proud, resilient spirit,” the superintendent said. “This is a neighborhood that has given so much to the city of Akron – hardworking families, dedicated residents, and generations of students who came to school every day, ready to learn, and ready to grow.”

“Akron Public Schools is giving something back. We are giving this community two new schools in Pfeiffer and Miller South. We are delivering a promise that every child who walks through these doors will have access to a world-class education in a world-class facility.”

There’s a commitment, too, that students of Miller South  will have a place to showcase their many skills and talents. The auditorium is designed to accentuate the school’s talented students, who year after year are performing above expectations.

“You have already shown this community who you are,” Outley said. “You have sung, performed, created, and inspired, even while sharing spaces that were not quite built for the size of your talent.”

“That changes today. 
This new building is being built for you. A space as bold and beautiful as your dreams you are already chasing. 
You deserve a stage that matches your ambition…a home that says to the entire world something extraordinary is happening here.”

“When you invest in the schools, you invest in everything,” Outley added. 
’You invest in the safety of neighborhoods and the strength of families and the economic future of a city. Akron is a city on the move, and our schools are leading the way.” 

Mayor Malik recalled one of his last visits to the Kenmore campus was to distribute COVID tests during the pandemic. 

“It was a hard time, but we’re able to use this space to make a difference,” the mayor said. “There was a building on this site for many years, and it had a very proud and rich legacy. We are excited to continue that legacy.”

“We are building the social fabric of this community. And we're creating a lasting investment in communicating to people, you matter.”

The schools’ principals, Pfeiffer's Tina McIntyre and Miller South’s Regina Anderson, capped the groundbreaking celebration with vibes of positivity that left smiles on the young faces in the crowd – many of whom are expected to walk through the building’s doors for the first time in 2028.

“This is when passion meets purpose,” Anderson said. “The arts aren’t extras. They are essential.”

Project Overview

• The current plan includes new facilities for both Miller South (grades 4–8, fine arts focus) and Pfeiffer Elementary (grades PreK–5), built together on a shared site.

• Abatement and demolition of the former Kenmore High School building began in Spring 2025, with planned construction set for Spring 2026. The new campus is targeted to open in August 2028.

• The original project budget was $61 million, but increases in square footage along with rising construction costs have led to an estimated shortfall of up to $13 million. To stay on track, adjustments are being made to reduce square footage and scale back certain features.

• The district is continuing to review options to address the budget gap. Design plans will be refined in cooperation with the Board of Education and in collaboration with the district’s construction team.