By Ronda Watson Barber
OhioMBE Publisher
This morning, Columbus City School Superintendent/CEO Angela Chapman is having a fireside chat with the Columbus Chamber of Commerce. The topic? The importance of collaboration between educational institutions and businesses in shaping the future workforce. Wow. The district should probably practice what it preaches. Does CCS play a role in Columbus being labeled a “City of Poverty”? This offensive term was used by Alex Trevino, the director of Capital Improvements, in a room with Black residents at a supplier diversity summit co-sponsored by CCS. How is CCS’ record on working with local Black businesses? Entrepreneurship creates jobs, even if it is just a job for the business owner.
Perhaps if Columbus City Schools provided equitable contracting opportunities to Black vendors, the 14th largest city in America wouldn’t be a “City of Poverty.” If CCS was serious about supplier diversity, they would hire a qualified professional instead of trying to appease current employees who may be losing their jobs due to the loss of COVID dollars.
CCS fails regularly to reinvest in the Black community, but expect Black tax dollars. The district has an inclusion policy, but the LEDE purchasing program benefits white companies. They received more than half of expenditures under the purchasing goals program, in a predominantly Black school district. With the passage of the $100 million a year forever tax levy, CCS owes the taxpayers a comprehensive plan on how it plans to reinvest in the Black community. They need to explain their buy local policy or establish one. In my opinion, the district needs to establish an MBE or CCS graduate buying program or revise the local requirement to be within the school district or the City of Columbus and not Franklin County. School district residents are paying property taxes to help fund the district. They should be given priority in purchasing decisions.
CCS leadership hasn’t mandated that Black businesses be incorporated into the purchasing scheme. The administration continues to forward legislation to the elected board devoid of Black businesses. The elected board votes on legislation that doesn’t include Black vendors. They continue to outsource contracting opportunities to white companies who don’t operate in the district but expect Black people to pay the tax bills.
Maybe Chapman should look in-house at the diversity and job opportunities within the Buildings and Grounds team. This department is overwhelmingly comprised of rural white men. I find it very hard to believe that CCS can’t find Black men in the trades to work in the district, particularly when they have a training program. This is another example of Black people struggling to pay taxes that benefit white families who don’t reside in the district.
It’s time for CCS to walk the talk and truly invest in the Black community, ensuring that local Black businesses have equitable opportunities and that the district’s policies genuinely reflect the diversity it claims to champion. Columbus City Schools can help the City of Poverty by providing contracting and employment opportunities to Black folks.
just my thoughts…
