AKRON (WJW) -- The Akron Education Association alleges the District Superintendent is hiding public records by using emails that disappear, so the Fox 8 I-Team went to Dr. Michael Robinson with a camera rolling, and he refused to answer any of our questions.
When the I-Team first asked to discuss the allegations about the emails, Robinson walked away, stepped into an elevator and pushed the I-Team away. A short time later, he walked into the Akron School Board meeting, and we asked more questions. Again, he refused to answer any questions.
Pat Shipe, president of the AEA, says Robinson is tampering with public email records by sending emails that disappear under his control .
"This superintendent has a problem with the truth," Shipe said.
She added that the messages are sent in confidential mode, allowing the emails to disappear on a certain date. The confidential mode emails also do not allow anyone to copy or download them, Shipe said.
"This confidential mode that the superintendent is using is patently illegal," said attorney Don Malarcik. "We have public records for a reason in Ohio, so we have accountability, and transparency, and honesty."
The I-Team filed a public records request for emails sent by the superintendent in recent weeks using the confidential mode. The District gave us about 30 emails, but stated some of our request was denied. The district cited attorney-client privilege. Some of the emails we did get appeared routine, talking about district spending.
A taxpayer attending Monday's board meeting said she is concerned about the emails.
"I want the proof of what happened," said Kaylah Lutz. "Nothing should be disappearing when it pertains to our city and our school district."
The AEA is planning to file a lawsuit over the matter.