OHIO — Columbus City Schools sent out care teams to five schools Wednesday to support staff and students. This, after community members made one last plea to sway the Board of Education before their vote to close and consolidate five of nine schools recommended by the task force. 

What You Need To Know

  • Board members say enrollment, program effectiveness and the condition of buildings were considered before votes were cast 
  • CCS will now work with the communities to develop a transition plan that will occur in phases 
  • The board will receive transition plans by June of 2025 
  • The board did not vote on all of the recommendations made by the task force 
  • No changes will take place during the 2025-26 academic year

Schools slated for closure and consolidation: 

  • Broadleigh Elementary School
  • Buckeye Middle School
  • Columbus Alternative High School
  • Moler Elementary School
  • West Broad Elementary (*Contingent on funded Facility Master Plan moving forward to replace current building)

Columbus City Schools Superintendent Angela Chapman said Tuesday night that they will work “alongside these school communities as we are working with our families to redraw the boundaries to determine, the next steps, where our students will then attend school, where they have options to attend.” 

In addition, the district will work with staff to determine transition processes as it relates to their jobs. While it’ll take time to develop plans, Chapman wanted families to know that the process will be slow and steady.

“We will pace it out and we will make sure we take all of the necessary time that’s needed to make sure that we’re engaging with the community and we’re thoughtful about the next steps as we transition our students," Chapman said.

“I recognize for many that this process has brought feelings of loss, uncertainty and frustration," Board President Christina Vera told a room full Tuesday night. “The recommendations before us to close and consolidate nine schools is one of the most difficult decisions any school district must face. It touches not just buildings, but people.”

At the same time, Vera made it clear that while a vote to close and consolidate five of nine schools occurred, the community should prepare for the board to review facilities each year.

“None of these schools are completely off the table. I think this is, you know, a larger conversation, as my colleagues and our superintendent has alluded to, this is about the vision of our district," Vera said.

For now, Chapman said as the district moves forward, it will continue to support and invest in schools. That means, “We will not shortchange our students. We will not shortchange our staff. We will not shortchange our community. Even for the school communities that are named tonight for closure and that our board has voted on. If the roof needs to be repaired tomorrow, the roof is going to be repaired tomorrow.”