Columbus City Schools may close four more school buildings as the district tries to shave $50 million from its budget amid state and federal funding cuts.
On Thursday, a joint committee discussed closing the schools, as well as ending transportation for high schoolers in lottery schools, while allowing the lottery program to continue.
CCS Superintendent Angela Chapman said no final decisions have been made, but stated that the district has to contend with significant budget pressures.
"We still have a significant budget gap that we need to close. It can't just be no to everything. We have to say yes to something," Chapman said.
Russell Brown, chief of strategy and performance for CCS, presented the recommendations for consolidating facilities Thursday.
Brown suggested closing Como and Fairwood elementary schools, and the buildings that house Duxberry Arts Impact Middle School and Columbus Gifted Academy.
Duxberry's programs would be moved into South Mifflin STEM Academy, while Columbus Gifted Academy would relocate to the Avondale Elementary school building.
Brown said that closing the four buildings and relocating special programs will save about $2.9 million in permanent improvement costs and another $700,000 in maintenance and utility costs.
Brown said there's some "urgency" to redistribute the district's students, as pending legislation may force schools to close buildings that are at less than 60% capacity.
Brown listed 15 district schools that fall under that benchmark, including six relatively new buildings.
"These are the ones that were renovated. This is where the community has made substantial investment," Brown said. "If we don't do something to fill these buildings — and again, serve our kids in some of our most modern environments — we run the risk of losing $97 million of investment our community has made."
Last year, the Columbus City Schools board approved closing its administration building on East State Street and five school buildings: Bradleigh, Moler, and West Broad elementary schools; Buckeye Middle School; and the McGuffey facility, which houses Columbus Alternative High School.
CCS is holding three meetings for parents to voice their opinions on the new proposed closures:
- Oct. 27 at South High School, 6 p.m.
- Oct. 28 at West High School, 6 p.m.
- Oct. 29 at Mifflin High School, 6 p.m.
Chapman said the Board of Education should vote on cuts and closures at their meeting in December.
