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South‑Western City Schools Board Grants Superintendent Emergency Powers Before Feb 9 Strike

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Board authorizes emergency authority amid looming strike The South‑Western City Schools Board of Education voted on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, to give Superintendent Randy Banks emergency powers to keep schools operating if classified staff walk out. The resolution empowers the superintendent to hire additional personnel, adjust schedules, and make spending decisions without preset limits. The board’s action directly responds to the union’s announced strike deadline of Feb. 9, 2026 [1].

Union OAPSE Local 211 signals Feb. 9 walkout The Ohio Association of Public School Employees Local 211 notified the district that bus drivers, mechanics, custodians, cooks, secretaries and aides intend to strike on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026, unless a new contract is reached. The notice was delivered the previous week, prompting the board’s emergency‑powers vote. The union’s strike threat targets essential classified positions that support daily school operations [1].

Emergency powers include unlimited spending discretion The board’s measure allows the superintendent to incur expenditures, lease or purchase equipment, and hire temporary staff at negotiated or higher rates. It also permits canceling or rescheduling classes without a defined financial ceiling or public cost transparency. These broad authorities aim to ensure continuity of instruction despite potential labor disruptions [1].

Union criticizes contradiction between budget limits and spending freedom OAPSE Local 211 argues the resolution grants “essentially unlimited discretion” to spend money while the district cites budget constraints as a barrier to offering higher wages. The union contends that replacing classified workers would cost more than meeting their wage demands. This criticism highlights tension over fiscal priorities amid the labor dispute [1].

Both sides pursue negotiated settlement before strike date Board President Camille Peterson expressed hope for a mutually beneficial agreement before Feb. 9. Superintendent Banks referenced a tentative agreement reached on Nov. 10, 2025, and pledged to secure a fair, sustainable deal. Both parties emphasize avoiding disruption to students and families [1].

Potential impact on students if strike proceeds Should the strike occur, the superintendent could hire additional staff and modify class schedules, actions that may affect instructional continuity. The district anticipates significant costs associated with emergency measures. These preparations underscore the urgency of reaching a settlement [1].

Sources

Timeline

Dec 2, 2025 – The Columbus City Schools board schedules a vote on a proposed $50 million budget reduction, with Superintendent Angela Chapman recommending cuts to transportation, school consolidations, and the elimination of roughly 450 staff positions [12].

Dec 3, 2025 – The board approves more than $50 million in cuts, closing Duxberry Park Arts Impact Elementary, Fairwood Alternative Elementary, Como Elementary, and the former Everett Middle School, and orders a $25.9 million staffing reduction, marking the first major response to a projected $2 billion state funding gap [9][10][11].

Dec 8, 2025 – Superintendent Chapman explains the district will first pursue retirements and resignations before using reduction‑in‑force provisions, and confirms “no levy planned at this time,” emphasizing that the cuts aim to protect classroom positions and programs [8].

Dec 16, 2025 – The board unanimously votes to demolish Broadleigh Elementary, Buckeye Middle, Moler Elementary, and the McGuffey Facility, stating the action “prevents vacant, abandoned buildings from burdening neighborhoods” and will be staged, with Broadleigh and Moler likely torn down the next school year [6].

Dec 17, 2025 – The board rescinds the censure of member Brandon Simmons; Simmons apologizes, saying he “deeply regretted not standing by his values,” after a leaked document titled “Taking Control of the Task Force Narrative” sparked controversy [7].

Dec 19, 2025 – The board’s 2024‑25 evaluation of Superintendent Chapman notes “millions in grant funds left unspent” and rates her “partially effective,” prompting Board President Michael Cole to call for “accountability and a plan to translate good work into great outcomes” [5].

Jan 7, 2026 – New board members Patrick Katzenmeyer, Dr. Jermaine Kennedy and Dr. Antoinette Miranda are sworn in; Miranda, elected president, declares the board will demand “a clear, ambitious and measurable strategic plan” to guide the district over the next 5, 10 and 15 years [4].

Jan 7, 2026 – Columbus City Schools notify families that K‑8 transportation for non‑100 % lottery students will end in August, with Superintendent Chapman framing the move as necessary “to protect staff and programs that directly affect students” amid $50 million cuts [2].

Jan 7, 2026 – Chapman warns that upcoming board deliberations on staffing are a “heavy conversation,” pledging to notify affected employees before the vote and to phase transitions “through the rest of the school year” to minimize disruption [3].

Feb 2, 2026 – The South‑Western City Schools board grants Superintendent Randy Banks emergency authority to hire temporary staff, incur unlimited expenditures, and adjust class schedules if the Ohio Association of Public School Employees Local 211 strikes on Feb 9 [1].

Feb 9, 2026 – OAPSE Local 211 threatens a walk‑out of bus drivers, mechanics, custodians, cooks, secretaries and aides unless a contract is reached, prompting the district to prepare contingency plans under the newly approved emergency powers [1].

Fall 2026 (planned) – Demolition of Broadleigh and Moler Elementary schools is slated to begin, with the district coordinating “a smooth transition for students as programs move” before the 2026‑27 school year [6].

Jan 2027 (planned) – A work group created by the board will deliver recommendations on mass‑transit options for high‑school students, with a deadline set for January 2027, reflecting ongoing efforts to balance transportation costs and student access [11].

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