The Akron Board of Education has signed off on an $80,000 settlement with an employee who filed a sexual harassment complaint, wrapping months of internal turmoil into a single vote taken after a lengthy closed-door session Monday night. The deal restores sick time, pays for counseling, and follows an about-face by the board that reversed an earlier administrative finding.
Agreement Details
According to BoardDocs, the settlement provides an $80,000 payment to the employee, reinstates 16.5 days of sick leave, and covers reimbursement for two counseling sessions, along with co-pays for up to 20 more sessions covered under the employee’s health plan. The agreement also specifies that the employee will not be assigned to work in the same area as, or have further contact with, Tom Varney, and states that the payment is to be made within the next month.
Board Action And Timeline
The Akron Beacon Journal reported that the board voted 6-0 to hand Varney a five-day unpaid suspension after determining he violated the district’s anti-harassment policy. According to that reporting, the complaints against Varney stem from incidents that occurred between Aug. 11 and 14, 2025. Varney had been placed on administrative leave while the district carried out its investigation.
Board Review And Reversal
Superintendent Mary Outley initially issued an administrative decision on Feb. 3 that concluded Varney’s conduct did not rise to the level of sexual harassment. The employee appealed, and on Feb. 23, the board overturned that finding and reopened the case, as reported by Signal Akron. Board President Barbara Sykes said the board "recognizes and respects the courage of the individual who came forward" and urged the district to focus on healing for those affected.
What This Means Under Title IX
District policy requires a prompt response whenever the district has actual knowledge of sexual harassment and allows for remedies that include counseling, schedule changes, leaves, and mutual restrictions on contact. Akron’s nondiscrimination policy and grievance procedures spell out those supportive measures along with the disciplinary options the board relied on in approving the settlement, BoardDocs shows.
What's Next
Signal Akron reports the settlement grew out of a discrimination charge filed with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission and that the board signed off on the agreement in closed session. The district says the payment will be issued within the month. SEIU Local 1, which represents maintenance and custodial employees, did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and board leaders say they hope the settlement allows the district to move forward while tightening up how complaints are handled.
