COLUMBUS, Ohio-The ongoing controversy surrounding the Columbus City Schools Board of Education’s building closures is being largely blamed on board member Brandon Simmons, following a leaked memo he authored. The board has moved to censure him and request his resignation, framing him as the sole problem. However, recordings reveal that at least five board members contributed to the memo, indicating a collective mindset rather than isolated misconduct. The memo reflects a school board fixated on control and conflict with the Columbus Education Association, using militaristic language to describe their relationship with the union. It outlines strategies to support a task force aimed at closing nine schools, disregarding the academic performance of those schools. The memo prioritizes the board’s authority over educational concerns, asserting that the district is the board’s domain rather than a community-focused institution.
https://columbusunderground.com/opinion-the-school-board-memo-was-a-group-project-jb1/
