An administrator for Akron Public Schools has resigned from his position following an investigation into the unauthorized sale of district-owned lawnmowers on Facebook Marketplace. The employee, Steven Keenan, stepped down ahead of a school board meeting where his termination was set to be considered.
According to documents from the school district, Keenan was accused of orchestrating a scheme to acquire the equipment at a discount and then resell it for a significant personal profit, a move that violated the staff's code of ethics.
Key Takeaways
- Akron Public Schools administrator Steven Keenan resigned after being suspended.
- He was accused of trading in 11 district lawnmowers without authorization.
- Keenan allegedly repurchased seven of the mowers for $5,693.32 using a personal discount.
- He then listed five of those mowers on Facebook Marketplace for a total of $14,700.
- His resignation was submitted before the school board could vote on a recommendation to fire him.
Administrator Steps Down Ahead of Termination Vote
Steven Keenan, an administrator with Akron Public Schools (APS), submitted his resignation on Friday, September 19, 2025. The move came just days after he was suspended by the district pending a formal review. The Akron Public Schools board was scheduled to vote on a recommendation from the superintendent to terminate Keenan's employment at its upcoming meeting on Monday.
The recommendation for dismissal stemmed from allegations that Keenan had violated the district's staff code of ethics. By resigning, Keenan preempted the board's official action, though his separation from the district will be formalized at the scheduled meeting.
Details of the Alleged Scheme Emerge
The basis for the disciplinary action was outlined in the agenda for the school board meeting. The documents detail a series of transactions involving district property that were reportedly conducted without the necessary approval from the board. These actions formed the foundation of the superintendent's case against the administrator.
Unauthorized Trade-In and Repurchase
According to the public records, the incident began when Keenan arranged for the trade-in of 11 lawnmowers belonging to Akron Public Schools. This transaction was made with an equipment vendor to facilitate the purchase of new lawnmowers for the district. However, the school board agenda states that this trade-in was never presented to the board for the required authorization.
Following the unauthorized trade-in, Keenan allegedly used his connection with the vendor to personally acquire some of the same equipment. The agenda specifies he bought back seven of the traded-in lawnmowers, securing them under what was described as a "friends and family" discount.
Transaction by the Numbers
- 11 APS lawnmowers were traded in without board approval.
- 7 of those mowers were repurchased by the administrator.
- $5,693.32 was the total price Keenan paid for the seven mowers.
From District Property to Online Marketplace
The investigation revealed that the repurchased equipment was not intended for personal use. Shortly after buying the seven lawnmowers for just under $5,700, Keenan allegedly began listing them for sale online. The school board's agenda states that five of the seven mowers appeared in listings on Facebook Marketplace.
The total asking price for these five pieces of equipment was $14,700. If sold at the listed prices, the transactions would have resulted in a substantial profit for the administrator, using assets that originally belonged to the school district. This action was identified as a direct conflict of interest and a misuse of his position within the school system.
Public Employee Ethics
Public sector employment, especially within school districts, is governed by strict ethical codes. These rules are designed to prevent employees from using their positions or access to public property for personal financial gain. Actions like unauthorized disposal of assets and conflicts of interest are typically grounds for immediate disciplinary action, including termination.
School District Upholds Code of Conduct
The superintendent's recommendation to fire Keenan was based on the clear violation of the staff's code of ethics. The district's policies are in place to ensure that all employees act in the best interest of the schools and the community they serve. The alleged actions represented a serious breach of public trust.
The case highlights the internal controls and oversight mechanisms that school districts use to manage public assets. The discovery of the unauthorized transactions and subsequent online listings triggered the internal investigation that led to Keenan's suspension and eventual resignation.
While Keenan's resignation concludes his employment with Akron Public Schools, the formal acceptance of it at the Monday board meeting will close this chapter of the internal disciplinary process. It remains unclear if any further legal or civil actions will be pursued in connection with the incident.
