COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus City Schools district proposed the closure or consolidation of nine different schools earlier this year, and on Tuesday, they announced their final decision.
Five schools and the administrative office, located at 270 East State St., will close while the other buildings on the proposed list will remain open. The schools will not close prior to the 2026-2027 school year.
Those closing include:
- Broadleigh Elementary School (Yes votes: 4 - No votes: 2)
- Buckeye Middle School (5 -1)
- Columbus Alternative High School (5-1)
- Moler Elementary School (4-2)
- West Broad Elementary School (4-2)
The following proposed school closures up for vote failed and will remain open:
- North Linden Elementary School (failed unanimously)
- Lindbergh Elementary School (failed unanimously)
- Fairwood Elementary School (failed - 3-3)
The proposed consolidation of the Columbus City Preparatory School for Boys also failed. (1-5)
During the meeting on Tuesday, several parents and teachers came forward with statements about the impact the school has had on them and their families.
Before the school closures were announced, Board member Jennifer Adair and several others spoke about casting their vote and the impact it may have. Other members who spoke include Sarah Ingles, Tina Pierce, Michael Cole and Ramona Reyes and Christina Vera.
"It was such an honor and a privilege to walk through our schools, and to talk with our teachers, see our students and really experience what each learning community has to offer. I fully anticipated all schools coming and feeling like they had to fight for their kids," Adair said. "For me, that's the hardest part because I understand the vote I make tonight will have an impact on you."
Columbus City Schools Superintendent Angela Chapman said the district will be working with the impacted school communities on boundary changes. This next year will be planning time, she said. Community members will be updated each month during the board meetings.
"For the five school communities that were named tonight for school closure, I want to make sure that we will have our care team on staff tomorrow at all of these sites to provide any support that the staff may need," Chapman said. "We'll continue to provide dialogue as well as messaging to make sure that everyone understands how these decisions made tonight will impact our work moving forward."
