Columbus parents await answers on school closing recommendations

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Columbus City School District parents say they are concerned about the impact on their children after the district superintendent and task force recommended 10 building closures, including seven schools, two weeks ago.

Parents like Lashawnda Keith spoke out about how families will be affected if the school board elects to shut down the recommended schools. Keith is a parent with Columbus City Preparatory School for Boys, which is recommended for closure, with the students sent to attend Columbus City Preparatory School for Girls.

“I feel like closing the school down will not be a good idea,” Keith said. “And then the talks of merging it with the girl's school? Not at all.”   

Parents said they feel what their children have learned from some of these schools is far more valuable than what the district might gain if they close them. 

“Think really hard about this decision for other parents and young men that's not really doing well at other schools and or you know, a lot of kids are in the street,” Keith said. “This school really helps them be into so many other things besides the streets.”  

Keith said the school has helped her child grow and improve, which is why she believes these schools are necessary. 

“In elementary, he probably made honor roll maybe three, four times a year,” Keith said. “He made honor roll every quarter since he started sixth grade.”  

Parents also voiced concern about what will happen to the teachers employed at the listed schools.    

“The educators in that school, they know what they're facing. They know what they're up against,” Law said. “I pray for them”   

Despite current concerns, Director of Communications for Columbus City Schools Jacqueline Bryant said voting on the recommendations will happen at a later date, and that a timeline for any implementation is yet to be established.

The district said that these closures could save Columbus schools up to $90 million over a 10-year period and $7.4 million in permanent improvement savings. If the board does choose to follow the closing recommendations, parents like Eldridge Law know where they want that money to go.   

“That that's my main concern, if they're going to save money then they need to put more teachers, more counselors, more educators into the classroom, more assistance,” Law said.   

Bryant said any decisions regarding the potential savings would happen down far down the road, after developing a timeline if they decide to go forward with the recommendations.

“The Board of Education would first need to determine if there will be a future use of properties," Bryant said. "Once determined, the Board of Education will comply with Ohio law regarding those available options.”