After an emotional two-month whirlwind of information, presentations and public meetings, the Columbus City School Board put the brake on decisions about closing school buildings - for the time being. In thanking members of the Superintendents Task Force, President Christina Vera acknowledged that the board needs to do more work.
"It's not a race for us; we're not interested in just doing something to do something. These are big decisions. These are large conversations. And certainly conversations that we want to continue to have, alongside of our students, our parents, our community partners, our team members. And so, understanding that we needed o have these recommendations.... thank you, for recognizing that there's more that we're still missing in order to be able to move this process forward."
Last month the Task Force presented the board with nine different scenarios, closing up to 20 schools. Last night's list had been pared down to nine schools for closures, and recommendations on how to consolidate programs and adjust the grades included in those buildings. The proposed changes include:
- Broadleigh Elementary School - current enrollment 258; students would be redistributed to Eastgate, East Columbus, and Fairmoor elementary schools.
- Buckeye Middle School - current enrollment 407; students would be incorporated in a expanded, 6-12 Marion-Franklin High School.
- Columbus Alternative High School - current enrollment 758; currently housed at the McGuffey Road facility, CAHS would move into East High School, and share space with that program.
- Eastmoor Middle Facility - the Columbus City Preparatory School for Boys (current enrollment 103) would be combined with the Columbus City Preparatory School for Girls (current enrollment 227) on Bryden Road.
- Fairwood Alternative Elementary School - current enrollment 254; students would be divided between Livingston and Ohio Avenue elementary schools.
- Lindbergh Elementary School - current enrollment 237; students would be distributed between Binns, Burroughs, and West Mound elementary schools.
- Moler Elementary School - current enrollment 328; students would be divided between Livingston and Lincoln Park elementary schools.
- North Linden Elementary School - current enrollment 326; students would be distributed among Huy, Maize, Innis, or Northtowne elementary schools.
- West Broad Elementary School - current enrollment 354; students would be distributed between Westgate, Highland, or Valleyview elementary schools.
It has been years since the district closed schools, despite shrinking enrollment. Superintendent Angela Chapman says that closely buildings could have the effect of increasing opportunities for students:
"Instead of spreading our resources out over more sites, we're spreading our resources out over fewer sites."
Although not one of the initial recommendations, the Task Force also suggested closing the district's downtown headquarters on East State Street. The 1980s-era building there is outdated and bulging at the seams, but it is centrally located within the district. The Southland Center, the former ECOT building on the south side of the city, is much larger and with ample parking, but is a significant distance from much of the rest of the district, making more difficult for parents to engage with the administration.
According to documents released by the district, the closures could mean savings of up to $90 million over the next 10 years. According to the Treasurer's five-year forecast, without changes the district could begin spending more than it receives by 2025, and be in the red by 2028.
President Vera says the board will need to take more time to weigh options and gather more information from the public. Any closures approved would take more than a year to put in place.
