"Tonight our board is taking the unusual step of waiving attorney-client privilege, so that the legal memorandum and exhibits presented by our legal counsel about Brandon Simmons can be made public."
At last night Columbus City Schools Board of Education meeting, president Christina Vera tried to steer that body back on track to meet a self-imposed deadline to vote on possible school closures later this month. That process was disrupted two weeks ago, when the teachers union published a leaked document written by board member Brandon Simmons, detailing divisive and even inflammatory strategies to "take control" of discussions about school closures being considered. While Simmons apologized for the tone of the document, he insisted it had been a collaboration with other board members and stakeholders, a claim district attorney's were instructed to investigate. CEA president John Coniglio demanded Simmons' resignation and that the work of the superintendent's task force on school closures be shelved. Last week the board voted to censure Simmons, who voted with the rest of the board while he continued to insist the document was not his alone. At the end of a meeting that opened with 30 minutes of public concerns about school closures, Vera said it's time to refocus on that process.
"I believe that releasing this document is another step as the board takes steps to heal and build trust with our labor partners, staff, parents students and the community at large. We have students that are depending on us.. and we need to serve them and move forward ."
Time is running out to met the schedule set when the task force began its work in February. The board is scheduled to vote on final recommendations on school closures at the next meeting, in two weeks. Actual closures are projected to begin at the start of the 2025 school year.
