Scenario saves some schools from closing.

Byline: Stephanie Warsmith

Apr. 27--A few months ago, when a task force began examining how to scale back the Akron schools' construction project, the state said the district needed to close four of its eight high schools.

The district also could do without two or three middle schools.

And 22 of the district's elementary schools had fewer than the required 350 students for the Ohio School Facilities Commission to share in construction costs.

Task force members, who on Monday recommended closing nine Akron schools and changing a middle school into an elementary building, said the plan they proposed looks a lot better than it could have.

"This is the scenario that saves the most buildings and makes the most sense," Superintendent Sylvester Small said Tuesday.

But those on the receiving end of the recommendations for paring back the district's$800 million project were reeling from the news that their schools might be closed. Knowing the situation could have been worse was little consolation.

"We should have never gotten into this deal," said John Fields, a parent of children who attend Smith Elementary -- one of the schools that might close. "They lied to…