David James is retiring this week after 29 years with , with the past 13 of them as the district鈥檚 superintendent.
James鈥� last day in Akron is June 30, but this isn鈥檛 the end of his career in public education. He鈥檒l be heading to, where he previously was considered for the superintendent鈥檚 position in 2018 but ultimately withdrew. Now he鈥檒l serve as the district鈥檚 deputy superintendent of operations, a role he says is similar to his previous job in Akron.
鈥淚t takes me kind of full circle because I did a lot of that type of work here with our facilities plan and supervising all of our support functions for eight or nine years before becoming superintendent,鈥� he said.
James says this won鈥檛 be a short-term gig. He鈥檚 59 and plans to work for several more years.
He says the COVID-19 pandemic and shifts in Akron鈥檚 board of education didn鈥檛 contribute to his decision to retire; it was simply time.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a time to enter the room and a time to exit. I鈥檝e been here 29 years. I have 34 years in public service. It was time for a change, and I think people recognize that,鈥� he said.
James announced his plans for retirement last August. He says he鈥檚 leaving the district in good hands with new superintendent Christine Fowler-Mack, a district graduate hired by the board of education in a historic move. She鈥檚 the first woman and woman of color to serve in the role.
