By Ronda Watson Barber
OhioMBE Publisher
Columbus City Schools officials are in over their heads, running a bait and switch on the community. In an interview with Channel 6, first-time superintendent Angela Chapman and John Coniglio, president of the Columbus Education Association, spoke about how district officials are focused on student achievement. Shouldn’t educating all students be the primary focus of the state’s largest public school district? Does this mean academics weren’t previously a priority for CCS? The district is trying to change the narrative as the Department of Education’s report card release looms. Last year, the ODE report gave CCS two stars, indicating the district did not meet state standards. Now, the excuse for bad grades will be that poor kids can’t learn. Shameful.
It appears district officials are doubling down and taking a page from the capital improvements director, who called Columbus a “city of poverty” in a room primarily filled with Black people. These statements and sentiments are disgusting and perpetuate harmful stereotypes. All students can learn regardless of their socio-economic status or zip code. Children rise to the expectations set by the adults around them. How must it feel for students to see district officials categorize them as poor? Do the highly paid adults charged with educating and providing a quality environment for learning bring those biases into their decision-making? Poor Black kids deserve clean, safe classrooms just as much as any other child. Our tax dollars should support this.
The district, which secured a permanent $100 million tax increase financed by the residents of this so-called “city of poverty,” now asks community members to donate school supplies and backpacks for students. The district continues to take from the community. Waste is rampant, with employees utilizing district resources for personal use, even to supplement their side businesses. How noble would it be for the district to provide all school supplies and backpacks to students? It would be a nice gesture to help parents relieve some of the expenses they incur while paying higher rents and property taxes. It would show genuine concern for the families they are supposed to serve.
Columbus City Schools needs to take a hard look at its priorities and make meaningful changes that truly benefit students and the community. It’s time to stop shifting blame and start delivering the quality education our children deserve.
