COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus City Schools Board of Education motioned to censure fellow member Brandon Simmons on Wednesday night following the controversy of a leaked document.
Board members gathered Wednesday night for a special meeting that lasted more than four hours. The school board discussed considerations of charges and complaints against a public official.
The meeting came days after board member Sarah Ingles leaked the document, titled “Taking Control of the Task Force Narrative,” which Simmons was the creator of.
The six-page document outlined driving a wedge between the Columbus Education Association — the union representing over 4,500 teachers and education professionals — and the Columbus School Employees Association.
The document listed methods to put off sharing “bad news” with the public to later meetings if there is other “good” news to share. It also detailed rewarding “good” media outlets with “priority interviews” and “priority seating.”
After the special meeting, Simmons apologized for the events that transpired following the leak.
“I am deeply sorry that this document was written and that I acted in a way that was not in line with my values. In addition, I am very sorry that my colleagues and I chose to implement elements of this plan. The unfortunate reality is multiple board members including the Board President, Board Vice President agreed to elements of this plan and were actively implementing portions of this plan,” he wrote in part.
Simmons also disclosed three meetings on May 9, May 10 and May 13 with Board President Christina Vera and CCS Superintendent Dr. Angela Chapman where the document was discussed.
Additionally, Simmons said he will obtain legal counsel and begin responding to requests for public records.
Vera said the counsel will file legal action against Simmons "in order to compel his production of public records in his possession" if he doesn't fulfill the requests by the close of business hours on Thursday.
The Columbus school board unanimously approved to censure Simmons for the remainder of the 2024 calendar year. The disciplinary action will be revisited in 2025.
“Tonight, I voted yes on a censure of my actions over the last two weeks. The truth is I allowed frustration to cloud my judgment. Through this frustration I became desperate. Desperate to deliver for our students. This desperation led me to act in a manner that was not consistent with my values. The censure is an appropriate action I consented to,” Simmons said in his statement.
Other school board members, including Vera, stated during the public meeting that they were not involved in creating the document.
Vera said that Simmons was the sole author of the document and said there was no evidence that other board members were involved in designing it.
“I am personally disappointed in Mr. Simmons’ creation of the document and how he has handled the situation publicly. The board and district administration value our relationships with our labor partners and respect their advocacy on behalf of their members,” she stated.
Additionally, Vera removed Simmons from all community assignments — meaning that he is no longer a part of the community engagement and advocacy and equitable and transparent resource management committees.