Columbus City Schools Board to Vote on $50 Million Cuts Amid Strategic Plan Push
Updated (3 articles)
New Board Leadership Sets Fiscal Agenda On Jan 7, three newly elected members—Patrick Katzenmeyer, Dr. Jermaine Kennedy, and Dr. Antoinette Miranda—were sworn in, with Miranda chosen as board president and Sarah Ingles as vice president. Their inauguration coincides with looming $50 million budget reductions the district must address this year[2].
Superintendent Faces Partial Effectiveness Rating The board’s annual evaluation rated Superintendent Dr. Angela Chapman as partially effective for 2024‑25, citing gaps in community engagement and fiscal oversight. Chapman acknowledged the rating and pointed to recent town halls as evidence of improved outreach[2]. The review also flagged that roughly 75 percent of unused grant dollars were not earmarked for CCS programs, prompting debate over the district’s role as a grant fiscal agent[2].
Staff Reductions Proposed for Upcoming Board Vote Chapman announced that specific staff reduction proposals will be presented at the next Columbus Board of Education meeting, scheduled within the next month. Employees whose positions are under review will receive advance notice, and transitions will be phased through the school year with final notifications by spring[1][2]. The district plans to first absorb vacancies from resignations and retirements to limit involuntary layoffs[1].
Strategic Plan Prioritized to Guide Long‑Term Recovery President Miranda urged the board to adopt an ambitious, measurable strategic plan outlining goals for the next five, ten, and fifteen years, linking it to the upcoming fiscal decisions. She warned that achieving the plan may require uncomfortable choices, including the $50 million cuts[2]. This focus on a long‑range roadmap reflects a shift toward proactive governance amid budget pressures[2].
Parents Voice Cautious Optimism on Fiscal Decisions At the board meeting, parents such as Terra Purdy expressed hope for improved fiscal responsibility while urging continued optimism for students. Their comments echoed concerns raised in the superintendent’s evaluation about grant management and budget transparency[2]. Community input is expected to influence both the staffing vote and the strategic plan development[2].
Sources
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1.
WBNS: Columbus City Schools to Consider Staff Reductions at Next Board Meeting, Superintendent Warns: Details the superintendent’s plan to bring staff cut proposals to a board vote within a month, outlines notification timeline, and emphasizes using natural attrition before involuntary layoffs.
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2.
WBNS: New Columbus City Schools Board President Urges Strategic Plan as $50M Cuts Loom: Highlights the swearing‑in of three new board members, Miranda’s call for a long‑range strategic plan, the partial‑effectiveness rating of Superintendent Chapman, and the $50 million budget cut context.
Timeline
Nov 2025 – Voters elect three new Columbus City Schools board members—Patrick Katzenmeyer, Dr. Jermaine Kennedy, and Dr. Antoinette Miranda—who later are sworn in and select Miranda as board president, establishing fresh leadership as the district confronts looming budget cuts [2].
Dec 31, 2025 – The board releases a mixed 2024‑25 evaluation of Superintendent Angela Chapman, rating her partially effective, praising her community relationship building but criticizing her inability to articulate a clear district vision and limited collaboration with leaders, and it recommends she forge ties with other superintendents for stronger governance [3].
Dec 31, 2025 – The same evaluation finds several million dollars in grant funds unspent at fiscal‑year end, noting that about 75 % of unused grant dollars are not earmarked for CCS programs, raising concerns about fiscal stewardship and the district’s role as a fiscal agent for non‑public schools [2][3].
Jan 7, 2026 – At the first board meeting of the year, the new board president, Dr. Antoinette Miranda, declares that the board will demand a “clear, ambitious and measurable strategic plan” outlining five‑, ten‑ and fifteen‑year goals, warning that achieving it may require “unpopular or uncomfortable” decisions [2].
Jan 7, 2026 – The board formally rates Superintendent Chapman as partially effective for 2024‑25; Chapman acknowledges the feedback, cites recent town halls as evidence of increased outreach, and commits to aligning her work with the board’s expectations [2].
Jan 7, 2026 – Superintendent Chapman announces that the district will present proposed staff reductions at the next board meeting, describing the upcoming deliberations as a “heavy conversation” and pledging to notify affected employees in advance to ensure transparency [1].
Jan 7, 2026 – Chapman explains that staffing transitions will be phased throughout the remainder of the school year with spring notifications, allowing time for reassignments or departures before classes end [1].
Jan 7, 2026 – The district says it will first absorb vacancies created by resignations and retirements to “hold staff harmless” and limit involuntary cuts, using natural attrition before eliminating filled positions [1].
Jan 7, 2026 – Board members and district leaders state that voting on staffing reductions tied to roughly $50 million in budget cuts will begin at the next board meeting, with individual staff names added to agenda items for votes and notifications expected to start in January [2].
Jan 7, 2026 – Parents, including Terra Purdy, voice cautious optimism, urging fiscal responsibility while hoping the district’s actions benefit students, reflecting community stakes in the financial and strategic decisions [2].
Feb 2026 (approx.) – The board schedules its next meeting within roughly the next month, creating a near‑term deadline for considering the proposed staff cuts and related budget adjustments, and setting the stage for the district’s spring‑time staffing transitions [1].
All related articles (3 articles)
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WBNS (Columbus, OH): Columbus City Schools to consider staff reductions at next board meeting, superintendent warns
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WBNS (Columbus, OH): New Columbus City Schools board president urges strategic plan as $50M cuts loom
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WBNS (Columbus, OH): Board evaluation says CCS superintendent left millions of grant dollars unspent in 2024-25