“I should matter.”

A frustrated Akron Public Schools employee recently shared those compelling words with school board members after her complaints of sexual harassment by another worker have gone unanswered for five months.

Akron Public Schools has very clear, detailed policies and guidelines for addressing allegations of unwanted conduct that is considered severe, pervasive and objectively offensive.

Unfortunately, the district appears to have disregarded its own policies and timelines for responding to such complaints.

The district’s policies and administrative guidelines call for a “prompt and timely investigation” to be completed within 14 to 31 calendar days after receiving the complaint.

As Beacon Journal education writer Kelli Weir reported , a female APS worker reported

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