Alison Holm

Jun 26, 2024 | wcbe.org | Alison Holm

After an emotional two-month whirlwind of information, presentations and public meetings, the Columbus City School Board put the brake on decisions about closing school buildings - for the time being. In thanking members of the Superintendents Task Force, President Christina Vera acknowledged that the board needs to do more work. "It's not a race for us; we're not interested in just doing something to do something. These are big decisions. These are large conversations.

Jun 5, 2024 | wcbe.org | Alison Holm

"Tonight our board is taking the unusual step of waiving attorney-client privilege, so that the legal memorandum and exhibits presented by our legal counsel about Brandon Simmons can be made public."At last night Columbus City Schools Board of Education meeting, president Christina Vera tried to steer that body back on track to meet a self-imposed deadline to vote on possible school closures later this month.

May 30, 2024 | wcbe.org | Alison Holm

The Columbus City Schools' Board last night voted unanimously to censure board member Brandon Simmons over a six-page strategic document detailing Machiavellian methods to control perceptions of the school closure process. Leaked to the teachers union, who then published it, the document was condemned by other board members and district officials. Simmons, who voted in favor of his own censure, offered a qualified apology.

May 22, 2024 | wcbe.org | Alison Holm

Last night's board of education meeting was supposed to be about public reaction to proposed plans to close up to 20 schools, amid shrinking enrollment. But the board was forced to deal with other issues first, including a bombshell delivered earlier in the day by the teachers union in the form of an internal document from board member Brandon Simmons on how to use racial politics to manipulate the conversation about school closures.

May 8, 2024 | wcbe.org | Alison Holm

The latest Columbus City Schools task force charged with closing and consolidating school presented its initial proposals last night - but not before parents and others urged the board to press pause on the process, which is scheduled to produce final recommendations in a little over six weeks. A parent of three CCS students, Marielle Henault, told board members she believes in the promise of public education, and worked to pass the recent levy and elect new board members.