_1.jpg "Image of Superintendent David James Thank-You Event")
APS Superintendent David James' message to the community last week brought what Akron City Councilwoman Marilyn Keith called a "collective sigh of relief" from every corner of Akron. Today, at the Conrad C. Ott Building in Firestone Park, APS staff and administrators surprised Mr. James with a thank-you party early in the morning as he arrived for a meeting. Included in the crowd -- as you will see in the photos -- are some recognizable faces from throughout our community. They came together March 5, as soon as Mr. James returned from a business trip to Maryland at the request of the state superintendent of public instruction, to personally thank him for his decision to remain at the helm of Akron Public Schools. Last week, Mr. James withdrew his name from consideration for the job as superintendent of Columbus City Schools.