The Akron Board of Education has decided to terminate Darian Johnson, a custodial supervisor, after a thorough investigation into his conduct. Johnson was placed on administrative leave in November 2025 following an incident where he entered the district administration building after hours and removed papers from his supervisor’s desk.
Details of the Incident
According to a report by a neutral referee, Johnson entered the administration building on November 4, 2025, at 9:41 p.m., well after his standard work hours. He used his badge to access the fifth floor and was seen by nighttime custodial staff in his supervisor Debra Foulk’s office, reportedly searching through papers. Johnson claimed he was looking for his lost keys and a folder.
Video footage showed Johnson leaving the building with papers he did not have upon entry. The next morning, Foulk reported missing meeting minutes from her desk. Johnson had previously entered the building after hours on at least two occasions, citing lost keys as his reason.
Johnson’s Defense and Allegations
Johnson contends his termination is retaliatory, citing a hostile work environment and discrimination during his tenure. He claims the referee ignored these issues and that the district fabricated testimony against him. Johnson had reported various violations to human resources, including a claim of sexual assault and numerous fire safety violations across the district’s schools.
Despite being placed on leave and instructed to return district property, Johnson delayed returning his badge and keys. He eventually returned them to district spokesperson Stacey Hodoh in December 2025.
School Board’s Decision
Referee William Dowling, who oversaw the disciplinary hearing, concluded that Johnson’s actions were unjustified and sided with the district. The Akron Board of Education adopted the referee’s findings and proceeded with Johnson’s termination. School board president Barbara Sykes emphasized the importance of following policies and ensuring fair treatment for all employees.
Johnson plans to appeal the decision in court, having cleared federal regulatory hurdles to pursue civil action. He remains committed to addressing what he perceives as systemic issues within the district.
Original reporting: Signal Akron — read the source article.
