COLUMBUS, Ohio-The Columbus City School District’s Superintendent’s Community Facilities Task Force concluded its final community feedback meetings to gather input on potential school closures and consolidations. Some community members, like Charles Ferguson, express concerns about the lack of community involvement in the decision-making process and emphasize the importance of considering neighborhood impact and preserving established cultures.
Regina Fuentes from the Columbus Education Association opposes the closures and calls for more transparency and time in the decision-making process. Despite these concerns, the task force will proceed with final recommendations to the board on June 18. Task force member Kevin Harrison emphasizes the importance of community feedback and acknowledges the value of input contrary to the data. The district clarified that the task force operates independently from the Board of Education and is focused on enhancing student achievement. The board’s actions regarding school closures and the resignation of board member Brandon Simmons are separate matters.
