COLUMBUS, OH – More than 3,400 Columbus City Schools educators completed a new survey conducted by their Union, the Columbus Education Association, which reveals shocking lapses in health and safety preparation just days before students are set to return to a hybrid in-person learning model. Respondents to the survey represent approximately 80% of all CCS educators and collectively have more than 45,000 years of experience serving the students of Columbus City Schools.

The CEA survey found that:

• 25% of CCS educators report that “a few” or “many” in their building were not properly wearing face coverings in common areas.
• 30% of CCS educators completing the survey were not provided cloth face masks by the district.
• 37% of CCS educators reported receiving either disinfectant or hand sanitizer but not both.
• 38% of CCS educators completing the survey did not believe their workspace had been cleaned prior to their return.
• 70% of CCS educators believe their building does not have the appropriate facilities to promote hand washing for all students.
• 71% of CCS educators reported receiving no training on how to use the disinfectant they were provided.

“This is an outrageous failure of leadership from our Columbus City Schools Board and Administration.” said John Coneglio, Columbus Education Association president. “On Saturday, Ohio set a single-day record for number of new COVID-19 cases, and our leadership believes it is acceptable to bring students and staff into an environment where the district’s own health and safety protocols are ignored with astounding regularity.”

On July 28, Columbus City Schools announced that all students would begin the year in remote learning, because “Ohio’s Public Health Advisory System currently rates Franklin County at Level 3, Red, indicating very high exposure and spread of COVID-19. The number of confirmed cases is rapidly increasing, and the level of risk is high even with strict health and safety protocols in place for our schools.” The District began in-person student orientations on October 19, with some classes scheduled to resume as soon as October 26, despite the fact that Franklin County was once again raised to Level 3 on October 13.

“This survey confirms our worst fears based on the barrage of health and safety concerns we’ve received,” said Jackie Broderick Patton, RN, CEA Senior Faculty Representative for School Nurses. “We’ve negotiated for strict COVID-19 protocols for our members and our students, and they are being ignored. From a health and safety standpoint, Columbus City Schools is simply unprepared for a return to in-person learning in the midst of a global pandemic.”

The Columbus Education Association is the union representing more than 4,000 teachers, librarians, nurses, counselors, psychologists, and other education professionals in Columbus City Schools. The Columbus Education Association is a proud affiliate of the Ohio Education Association and the National Education Association.

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COLUMBUS, OH – September 21, 2020 – The Columbus Education Association, the Union representing more than 4,000 Columbus City Schools educators, voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to declare “No Confidence” in Columbus City Schools Board Member James Ragland and to rescind CEA’s prior endorsement of Mr. Ragland. The vote was taken by the Union’s Legislative Assembly, comprised of Faculty Representatives from more than 110 Columbus City Schools buildings.

“Mr. Ragland has consistently failed our students by openly advocating for charter and voucher schemes that deprive our district of badly needed resources.” said CEA President John Coneglio. “Mr. Ragland recently appeared at a private school event as a panelist with Betsy DeVos, the worst Secretary of Education in our nation’s history, to advocate for further defunding of our public education system. Immediately following his election, he took a paid role with anti-public education group School Choice Ohio. Our students deserve an advocate, not a mercenary for the ever-circling school privatization vultures.”

CEA will continue its active role in supporting School Board candidates who demonstrate a commitment to the schools that Columbus Students Deserve.

The Columbus Education Association is the union representing more than 4,000 teachers, librarians, nurses, counselors, psychologists, and other education professionals in Columbus City Schools. The Columbus Education Association is a proud affiliate of the Ohio Education Association and the National Education Association.

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CEA is pleased to announce the application period for the Fall 2020 CEA Foundation Mini Grants is now open to ALL CEA members. The CEA Foundation’s mission is to empower CEA members to design and implement innovative opportunities that will ultimately lead to higher achievement for all students. There are three mini grants for members to choose from:

• Early Educator Mini Grant–20 total grants up to $300 each (for teachers in Years 1–5 of their career)
• STEM/STEAM Mini Grant–10 total grants up to $600 each (open to all CEA members)
• General Mini Grant–25 total grants up to $320 each (open to all CEA members)

CEA encourages members to think about supplies, materials and/or programs they personally fund. Members are eligible to receive one Mini Grant per year. Due to COVID-19, the application process will be conducted online.  For Directions: Click Here. For Application Click Here.

These Mini Grants are separate from the Teacher Dream Grant and all CEA Mini Grants are funded completely through the CEA Foundation. Only CEA members are eligible to apply for the Mini Grants. Your emailed application is due no later than 4:30 p.m. on October 28, 2020. If members previously sent in applications through the U.S mail, a new application is not needed; however, all new applications must be emailed to CEA.