Families of Columbus City Schools students and other members of the public got an opportunity to weigh in on the district’s proposed budget cuts — including closing four more school buildings — at the first of three scheduled town hall meetings this week.
Many of the dozens of families who attended the Oct. 27 town hall at South High School said they appreciated the outreach efforts by CCS to engage with the public. During her remarks at the event, Superintendent Angela Chapman said that “leadership must lead from the front” in challenging decision-making about the future of the district.
“We will do everything that we can to protect our classrooms and the student experience,” Chapman said. “But we do have to make a tough decision. And that’s why we’re here, to have those conversations.”
During the event, the district presented financial information and a vision for the future of the district that included increasing advanced classes and career technical training at district high schools. Families also got an opportunity to share their thoughts with district administrators.
The district will be holding two more events, on Oct. 28 at West High School, 179 S. Powell Ave., and Oct. 29, at Mifflin High School, 3245 Oak Spring St. Both begin at 6 p.m.
The forums come amid strong financial headwinds for the district. In August, The Dispatch reported that CCS will begin deficit spending this year and would be out of cash by fiscal year 2029. In August, the district voted to approve $50 million in cuts to the annual budget from its $1.8-billion budget.
In addition to closing schools, other proposals include reducing transportation for high schoolers and those attending some of the district’s lottery schools. The district plans another meeting in November regarding staffing levels.
At an Oct. 16 meeting, a joint committee approved a recommendation to close Fairwood and Como elementary schools, close the buildings holding Columbus Gifted Academy and Duxberry Arts Impact Elementary School (while retaining the programs) and convert Oakland Park Alternative Elementary into a neighborhood school.
The recommendations would need to be approved by the CCS board at a later meeting.
Chapman said that fewer buildings will give the district “sustainable enrollment for equity with programs at neighborhood schools.”
“More programming will make students want to go to their neighborhood schools. We must consolidate our facilities so our students can all get the classes and services they deserve,” Chapman said.
What did families say?
Monika Wise, of the Northland neighborhood, is a parent of a Duxberry Arts Impact Middle School student and has had other kids go through the lottery program. She said the district needed to think about protecting the district’s lottery schools.
“They’re misunderstanding why there are lottery schools,” Wise said. “The purpose of lottery schools is to get kids out of the neighborhoods that they’re in, build a community just like if you were in your neighborhood school. But they offer specialized programs that I think there’s no way that you can put that back into the schools.”
While Wise said that “these types of events are needed,” she thinks better organization is required.
“We need more than three days to digest all this information,” Wise said. “I’m pretty sure I’m not the only parent in here concerned about the future.”
Candace Klepacz, a resident of the Near East Side and a parent of Columbus Gifted Academy students, acknowledged that the district was “in a really tough spot.” She said she appreciated what seemed to be genuine outreach efforts from the district.
“But I’m a parent and I need to be advocating what’s best for my kids,” Klepacz said. “And what’s best for the kids in my neighborhood.”
She said she wanted the board to know the community was watching.
“We want to make sure you are legitimately engaged,” Klepacz said. “It feels like they’re trying to do the right thing, so I applaud them there.”
Cole Behrens covers K-12 education and school districts in central Ohio. Have a tip? Contact Cole at cbehrens@dispatch.com or connect with him on X at @Colebehr_report
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus City Schools hears from community on proposed cuts and closures amid budget crisis
Reporting by Cole Behrens, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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