The CEA Blog

The Columbus Board of Education passed a resolution at their most recent meeting that designates Linmoor Middle and Indianola and Medary Elementary schools as swing spaces and leases Kent, Linden Park and Second Avenue elementary schools to third parties which include two charters. The resolution also slates Pinecrest and Scioto Trail elementary schools for demolition and designates Wayne Elementary School for district storage.

Brentnell will be leased to the Charles School at Ohio Dominican University for $62,594.00 per year for a term of ten years. The rent will be capped so that it does not increase more that 13.5% as compared to increases in the consumer price index. Linden Park Elementary will be leased to the Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP) for $55,345.50 per year under the same terms. Both entities are responsible for capital improvements, maintenance and utilities for the properties in addition to the yearly lease amounts.

Click on the jump below to read more.

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“Market forces have changed the employment and education landscape in our community,” said Superintendent Harris, introducing the recommendations made by the Linden Area Task Force’s Feasibility and Implementation Team to the Columbus Board of Education. 

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The deliberation continues on uniforms for CCS students. The committee studying the issue has said they need more time. A graphic here shows the support by administrators, teachers, parents and students at the elementary, middle and high school levels. This publication puts the blame on the potential costs for the uniform.

For more CCS items featured in the news media, click on the jump below.

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At the December 18th, 2007 Columbus Board of Education meeting, an updated version of the district’s real estate plan was presented to all seven members by Carole Oshavsky. The senior executive in charge of capital improvements, Oshavsky’s report updated the board on progress in the renovation and construction of new and existing schools. In addition, updates were made regarding land acquisition for new school sites as well as plans for vacant buildings within the district. The potential lease of two district buildings to charter schools outside of the district was presented to the Board, an event completely ignored by every local media outlet.

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Bill Todd is still suing CCS, despite losing the mayor’s race.

CCS has reached its goal of obtaining over 1,000 mentors for Project Mentor.

Superintendent Harris and board members share their thoughts on what it’s going to be like to put an operating levy on the ballot.

Ousted Board member Jeff Cabot plans to stay involved with Columbus City Schools.

Superintendent Harris elucidates her vision for 2008 for CCS.

Merion Village residents anticipate the reopening of Southwood Elementary for the 2008-2009 school year.

Students in CCS are now safer on their buses, thanks to a new checks performed on school-bus drivers.

“Whoa!” says the Dispatch editorial board in response to Dr. Harris’ district restructuring plan.

More column space is being spent examining the feasibility of Dr. Harris’ proposed plan; there is even a graph, too.

More on the potential elimination of middle schools in this article.

Middle schools and their potential elimination are the focus of yet another article.

The Board of Education bids farewell to a now-former member.

A CCS year-round recap here.

More about the photos appearing on this blog here.

Special CCS Schools are becoming “less special“, thanks to a mix of district budget issues, state content requirements and required testing.

A local paper says the deal CCS cut with Nationwide over the Arena valuation and taxes looks similar to the deal that was going to be cut 10 years ago. Another local paper weighs in.

Northland High School students began their program to help the community.

CCS students and Superintendent Gene Harris celebrated Ohio’s first annual Rosa Parks Day.

In this edition: National Board Certified Teachers abound, a CCS teacher is a finalist for an NEA award, 8 CCS high schools rank nationally, finances and much more! Click on the jump below to continue.

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In this edition: Wal-mart wants to create a Columbus charter school, old buildings become new again, increased administrative payroll costs are voted into the CCS budget, a CCS teacher makes math accessible to students and their families, fewer students taking art, technology and physical education at the high school level, and much more!

Click on the jump below to read what has been written about CCS recently.  

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At the most recent Columbus Board of Education meeting, Treasurer Michael Kinneer forecasted that the district would remain solvent through the 2008-2009 school year. This is the direct result of two factors working in the favor of CCS. First, an increased amount of tax money has begun to return to the district as TIF dollars from corporations start to enter the CCS treasury– those monies had previously gone toward local infrastructure. Second, the district had projected 3,000 students would leave for charter schools this year– only 800 have so far. Read the full story here.