AKRON, Ohio — An Akron Public Schools graduate could be stepping into the top job in the Akron Public Schools District.

The Akron Board of Education on Thursday night voted to make an offer to 55-year-old Christine Fowler-Mack to become the district’s next superintendent. She has not yet accepted the position.

Christine Fowler-Mack

She is the daughter of Rev. Ronald Fowler, who served as Akron school board president and on the board of Summit Education Initiative.

A search has been underway for a superintendent since David James announced he would retire at the end of June after 29 years with the district, with 13 years as the district’s superintendent.

Fowler-Mack is one of two final candidates, after the board incrementally narrowed the field from 27 original applicants. The other candidate is Sandy Womack, Jr., a regional superintendent for Columbus City Schools who also attended Akron schools, graduating from Buchtel High School.  

Fowler-Mack is a graduate of East High School, and currently serves as chief of portfolio planning, growth and management for Cleveland Metropolitan Schools.

In that role, she handles oversight and leadership of the district’s operating budget, facilities and enrollment, school choice programs, charter school authorization and community and family engagement, according to her resume.

Previously Fowler-Mack served in several leadership roles for Cleveland and University Heights Schools, was principal in Kent City schools and taught in Akron Public Schools.

If she accepts the position, she will be the first woman to lead Akron Public Schools in its history.

Under James’ leadership, the Akron school district worked with Ford Next Generation Learning and an array of community partners to transform Akron schools into a College & Career Academies model. The academies feature smaller, more focused classes in which students choose educational pathways, similar to college degree programs, learning from industry professionals and gaining hands-on experience.