Andrew
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keiperjourno.bsky.social
Andrew
@keiperjourno.bsky.social
Education reporter for Signal Akron. Ohio dog. Spend my free time fighting my friends for fun. Blue belt in jiu jitsu.

Signal Akron work here: https://signalakron.org/author/akeiper/
Some really excellent reporting, led by my colleague at Signal Akron, that highlights some of the issues -- and solutions -- for young folks in Akron following the shooting and chaos at a local elementary a couple weeks ago.

signalakron.org/heres-what-a...
Here’s what Akron is doing to prevent teen violence
What to do about incidents like the one at Mason CLC, and how to keep young people safe, has been an ongoing discussion in Akron.
signalakron.org
July 18, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Has bluesky gotten better with memes? Those and the sh*tposting are the only things keeping me tied to Twitter.
May 19, 2025 at 8:09 PM
APS Superintendent Michael Robinson is accused of calling local reporters “hos” and repeatedly shouting at a high-level employee in a letter to the board.

It’s at least the third letter written to the board this year accusing Robinson of workplace misconduct.

signalakron.org/akron-superi...
Akron schools superintendent accused of shouting at employees
New allegations of hostile behavior toward colleagues by Akron Public Schools Superintendent Michael Robinson are being raised.
signalakron.org
December 30, 2024 at 11:51 PM
I’m here at the funeral for Jazmir Tucker, the 15-year-old who was fatally shot by police on Thanksgiving night. It’s a tough scene, but the community has come out in droves to pay their final respects.
December 13, 2024 at 3:42 PM
The other side of this is that young reporters can learn good process, reporting standards and source-building practices from working at a quality outlet.

Independent reporting can work, especially if you already have an audience that’s willing to pay, but it’s risky if you’re not established.
if you're a young reporter, strongly recommend going independent - way too time consuming to get stories through the great wall of management
December 11, 2024 at 6:08 PM
Akron Superintendent Michael Robinson confirmed, and defended, his admins practice of sending confidential emails that were set to self-delete.

While not technically illegal, the practice certainly violates the spirit of state sunshine laws and the public's trust.
signalakron.org/akron-school...
Akron schools’ superintendent sent disappearing emails
Akron schools’ Superintendent Michael Robinson allegedly sent self-deleting, work-related emails, potentially violating public records laws.
signalakron.org
December 11, 2024 at 3:00 AM
Last night, the Akron Board of Education finally passed their state-mandated five-year forecast. At board member requests, it includes over $10 million in cuts for next school year and another $4.5 million in cuts over the next five years.

signalakron.org/akron-public...
Where Akron Public Schools plans to reduce its budget
The five-year forecast has Akron Public Schools maintaining a positive cash balance until fiscal year 2029.
signalakron.org
December 10, 2024 at 3:16 PM
Lost in the shuffle of breaking news was this extensive reporting we published at Signal Akron about the role of cops in schools.

We spoke with parents, officers, community leaders and students about the SRO program. The reporting is comprehensive and complicated.

signalakron.org/firestone-pu...
SROs in Akron schools: Punching incident raises questions
The partnership between police and Akron Public Schools has drawn more attention after an SRO punched a student at Firestone CLC.
signalakron.org
December 9, 2024 at 3:53 PM
On Thanksgiving night, Akron Police shot and killed at 15-year-old boy with an assault-style rifle. They found a loaded pistol zipped into his jacket pocket.

We have more questions than answers at this point, but have been reporting what we have as we have it.

signalakron.org/a-kind-lovin...
Family of 15-year-old killed by Akron police breaks silence
Hours before he was shot and killed by an Akron police officer, Jazmir Tucker spent Thanksgiving Day at his grandmother’s house.
signalakron.org
December 7, 2024 at 2:46 PM
I’ve been watching The Newsroom lately and it’s got me fired up to do my job.

Maybe I’m just getting more mature or more or less pretentious, but I’ve come around on some of Aaron Sorkin’s high-minded writing. It’s undoubtedly idealistic, but aren’t those ideals at the heart of what we do?
November 27, 2024 at 6:10 PM
After lengthy discussions and an hour-long executive session, the Akron Board of Education failed to vote on their five-year forecast, which is due to the state by the end of the month.

It was surprising development. Read my latest for Signal Akron here:
signalakron.org/akron-board-...
Akron Board of Education delays vote on 5-year forecast
The Akron Public Schools' Board of Education did not take an anticipated vote Monday on a five-year forecast for the district.
signalakron.org
November 26, 2024 at 6:04 PM
Faculty and students across campus are alarmed, disheartened by the proposed merger of the flagship polymer sciences programs.

There’s much we don’t know, but more details are coming about the cuts at the University of Akron.

Read our latest at Signal Akron:

signalakron.org/its-like-cut...
Faculty, students at University of Akron react to proposed cuts.
Proposed cuts of 10 polymer professors at the University of Akron has already had a chilling effect on the well-regarded program.
signalakron.org
November 23, 2024 at 6:01 PM
“At this stage I don’t really care all that much about what happens to the university,” a professor whose entire department is on the chopping block said.

Read the latest details about the proposed cuts coming to the University of Akron.

signalakron.org/dozens-of-fa...
Dozens of faculty positions could be cut at University of Akron
More than 30 faculty positions across eight University of Akron departments are on the chopping block; two of the departments may close.
signalakron.org
November 21, 2024 at 3:20 AM
I guess this is a good time to share some of the education reporting highlights I've done for Signal Akron over the past few months.

To start, an in-depth look at the issues pandemic-era babies are having as they enter pre-kindergarten.
signalakron.org/akron-pandem...
Pandemic-era babies in Akron behind in speech, social skills
Pandemic-era babies entering Akron’s Schools' pre-kindergarten program are behind in speech and social skills.
signalakron.org
November 19, 2024 at 8:33 PM
I’m hoping this app can be better than that other app. I also hope it can be a space where I can share pics of my sweet son, Bruno.
November 18, 2024 at 10:53 PM
In Ohio, a bill that would ban transgender students from bathroom and locker rooms that match their gender identity is heading to Gov. Mike DeWine's desk for approval.

Reporting done by the excellent Megan Henry at the @ohiocapitaljournal.com:
signalakron.org/ohio-transge...
Ohio transgender bathroom ban bill heads to Gov. DeWine’s desk - Signal Akron
SB104 will require students at Ohio's K-12 and colleges to use the bathroom or locker room aligning with their gender assigned at birth.
signalakron.org
November 18, 2024 at 6:00 PM