AKRON, Ohio -- Akron Public Schools Superintendent David James is now an advisory trustee for the University of Akron, the university announced on Wednesday.

James began as superintendent for the district in 2008. The board of education extended his contract until 2022 in July 2018, according to the Akron Beacon-Journal. James, who makes $225,500 as superintendent, will not have voting rights on the UA board. University trustees are unpaid.

By appointing James, the board will deepen its relationship with Akron public schools, UA board chair Joesph Gingo said in a release.

Akron’s College and Career Academies master plan, launched under James, allows students to study within different career paths in high school, so they’re better prepared when they graduate.

UA became a “sister university” to Ellet High School, National Inventors Hall of Fame STEM High School and Akron Early College in September of 2018. Through this partnership, UA officials work with these schools to create career-themed programming and to offer guidance on the college admissions process.

The Akron Early College High School, launched in 2007, is on UA’s campus, which allows Akron students to pursue an associate’s degree while still in high school. If students take more than 60 college credit hours, they can earn an associate’s in arts or science upon graduating.

“(The relationship between the University of Akron and Akron schools) is among the most important in this community," James said in a release. "The stronger and more productive it is, the greater the future will be for our children. I consider it an honor and a privilege to be at the table as an advisory trustee.”

Akron Public Schools received a D on its 2017-18 state report card, with F ratings in the graduation rate and “prepared for success” categories. The district released a profile page to show other measures of success outside of the report cards, which critics say are too dependent on scores from ever-changing state tests.