"Columbus school district seeks OK to increase debt" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Columbus school district seeks OK to increase debt
Simone Sebastian
The Columbus Dispatch
July 9, 2008

The Columbus school district needs special consent from two state agencies to put a bond issue on the November ballot because its debt would exceed a statutory threshold.

The school board plans to ask voters for a $164 million bond issue to continue its districtwide school construction project, which started in 2002, and to pay other expenses.

If the issue is approved, the schools' outstanding debt would exceed 4 percent of the total assessed value of property in the district, about $394 million...

"Questions to answer" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Questions to answer
The Columbus Dispatch
July 6, 2008

...District officials probably calculate that a large turnout for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama will generate extra votes for school ballot issues, too.

But counteracting that are the tough circumstances facing Columbus residents and businesses. The state and national economies are stagnant. Major auto companies are closing plants in Ohio, foreclosure is pushing people out of their homes and higher energy and food prices are straining household budgets. State government is anticipating a $733 million shortfall in operating revenues. This isn't an ideal time to ask school-district voters to assume a much larger financial burden.

The first question school officials face is why a district that is significantly smaller than the one that successfully sought a 6.95-mill levy in 2004 now seeks a far larger tax increase...

"Columbus Voters To Decide Levy On November Ballot" WBNS-10TV

Link: Columbus Voters To Decide Levy On November Ballot
WBNS-10TV
June 27, 2008

Columbus City Schools board members voted on Friday to place a levy and bond on the November ballot.

The board approved the measure to place a 7.85 mills operating levy and $164 million bond on the ballot, 10TV's Tracy Townsend reported.

If passed, the owner of a $100,000 home would pay an additional $275 a year...

"Levy plan sent to Columbus school board" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Levy plan sent to Columbus school board
Simone Sebastian
The Columbus Dispatch
June 11, 2008

...The recommendation, which also includes up to $20 million in annual cuts over four years, is for a levy that would cost homeowners between $227 and $266 a year per $100,000 of property value. But the panel left up to the school board which of four options to seek...

...The four plans include closing between six and 21 schools. Some of those could be middle schools that would close because sixth-graders would move into elementary schools and seventh- and eighth-graders would be sent to high schools...

"Columbus schools close in on levy decision" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Columbus schools close in on levy decision
Simone Sebastian
The Columbus Dispatch
June 9, 2008

...Ending nearly five months of discussion, a district committee is expected to recommend this week how big a levy the district should ask voters to approve in November.

The amount likely will be between 8.3 and 12 mills -- which would translate to $254 to $367 a year per $100,000 in home value -- the range administrators have said is needed to maintain current operations and add new programs.

Ultimately, the school board will decide on the millage, but when they'll make that decision is unknown...

"School levy committee discusses possible cuts" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: School levy committee discusses possible cuts
Simone Sebastian
The Columbus Dispatch
May 28, 2008

...It is likely that the district will place a levy on the November ballot, but the school board has not taken up the matter yet. The board ultimately will decide whether to pursue a levy and how big it should be, based on the recommendation from the committee.

The deadline to place the levy on the November ballot is in August.

District officials have said that maintaining the district’s current operations will cost about 8.3 mills, or $254 annually for a $100,000 home...

"Housing slump pinches schools" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Housing slump pinches schools
Charlie Boss
The Columbus Dispatch
May 26, 2008

...Schools are another victim of the housing downturn and sluggish economy. Most local revenue for school districts comes through real-estate taxes, which typically grow with home construction, Franklin County Auditor Joe Testa said. But that growth has flattened, based on a comparison of tax collections for February of this year with those of a year earlier.

Testa said some of the revenue shortfall was expected: A stale home-building market was not going to bring in as much new money as had been projected.

But some of the decline wasn't as easy to forecast. Several school- district treasurers said tax delinquencies and refunds to homeowners who challenge the tax valuation of their properties are on the rise...

"Try harder" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Try harder
Editorial
The Columbus Dispatch
May 25, 2008

...A proposed 8.3-mill levy floated last week would increase taxes on a $100,000 house by $254 a year. That's high, yet still wouldn't be enough to pay for the program changes suggested by Superintendent Gene Harris. Other proposals ranged as high as 12 mills.

School officials must look for ways to cut the proposed budget before asking voters to open their wallets so wide. Some of the initiatives in Harris' plan are worthy proposals that could increase academic achievement, such as adding math- and science-focused schools and providing preschool for everyone.

The district also is required to spend some money to implement the state-mandated Ohio Core, a more-rigorous high-school curriculum that will necessitate more math and science teachers...

"8.3 mills not enough to fund Columbus Public Schools plan" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: 8.3 mills not enough to fund Columbus Public Schools plan
Simone Sebastian
The Columbus Dispatch
May 21, 2008

...Superintendent Gene Harris laid out an academic plan last week that would cost between $129 million and $165 million over four years, according to a district analysis presented yesterday to a committee considering possible tax requests for the fall.

To continue running the district as-is while maintaining a positive cash balance for four years, the district will need a levy that would cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $254 a year, Treasurer Michael Kinneer told the committee of residents and school officials yesterday.

Harris' wish list would require another $89 to $113 a year for that homeowner, if cuts aren't made.

But Harris acknowledged yesterday, “There are some things that will have to be given up.”

Kinneer's calculations say the district needs at least an 8.3-mill levy to continue the status quo through 2012-13. Harris' plan would add 2.9 to 3.7 mills...

"Columbus schools treasurer: Big levy needed" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Columbus schools treasurer: Big levy needed
Simone Sebastian
The Columbus Dispatch
May 21, 2008

The Columbus schools treasurer announced the first potential price tag for a levy that probably will go before voters in November, showing taxpayers' bills would have to grow to stave off impending multimillion-dollar deficits.

Treasurer Michael Kinneer said last night that the district will need a levy of 8.3 mills -- or about $254 annually per $100,000 of home valuation -- to ensure the district does not have a negative cash balance through 2013...

"Bond issue needs to be in future, committee told" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Bond issue needs to be in future, committee told
Simone Sebastian
The Columbus Dispatch
February 20, 2008

Columbus schools will need to pass another bond issue by November 2009 to avoid increasing the tax rate for their school-construction project and dismantling the staff that runs it, advisers told a district committee today.

In recent months, district officials have stressed the schools' need for an operating levy, which they are expected to place on the November ballot. Yesterday, administrators expressed an urgent need to pass a bond issue as well...

"Education department slashing $100 million from budget" WSYX ABC 6

Link: Education department slashing $100 million from budget
WSYX ABC 6
February 13, 2008

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Money for school buses, professional development for teachers and technology support for districts will be slashed as the state education department looks to cut 100 million dollars from its budget.

Governor Strickland ordered state agencies to trim budgets after economic forecasts predicted the state would face at least a 733 million dollars shortfall by June 2009...

"Schools renovations in the black" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Schools renovations in the black
Bill Bush
The Columbus Dispatch
February 2, 2008

The sluggish building industry and falling materials prices have helped Columbus City Schools stay on budget with their half-billion-dollar project to replace or renovate 35 schools, officials said...

...In June 2006, the Ohio School Facilities Commission, which is paying for 30 percent of the Columbus project, agreed to kick in an additional $20 million to help cover rapidly increasing construction costs. Today, with 17 schools completed, 15 under construction and three yet to begin, "we're comfortable in saying that it will be done within the budget," Goggin said...

"Columbus schools: District outlines plans in hearing" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Columbus schools: District outlines plans in hearing
Simone Sebastian
The Columbus Dispatch
January 29, 2008

Columbus school-district leaders made a case for needing more tax dollars and defended their support for eliminating middle schools at the first in a series of scheduled community meetings last night...

...District Treasurer Michael Kinneer presented the district's financial picture, noting that the general-fund budget is expected to grow from $650 million to more than $800 million during the next five years. But revenue will barely increase, he said, creating a significant budget shortfall if a levy is not passed or cuts are not made.

The district is considering placing a levy on the ballot this year...

"City Schools Could Be Headed For Red" WBNS-10TV

Link: City Schools Could Be Headed For Red
Jennifer Smith Richards
WBNS-10TV
January 24, 2008

This is how crucial passing a levy this year is for the Columbus schools, officials said yesterday: Without it, the district's cash balance will shrink to $12.6 million in 2009 and be in the red by 2010.

The 2009 figure wouldn't cover even one pay period for district employees -- the district cuts $14 million in payroll checks every two weeks..

...And Ohio school districts aren't allowed to operate in the red. So if Columbus' cash balance dries up and the levy fails, the district would face significant cuts to stay in the black...

"Vacant schools' fate unclear" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Vacant schools' fate unclear
By Jennifer Smith Richards and Simone Sebastian
The Columbus Dispatch
January 21, 2008

...Instead of dropping pounds, Columbus has shed students. Its enrollment once topped 100,000 but now is about 54,000.

District officials are again making choices about how many school buildings to keep, which ones to use as "swing space" during the district's rebuilding program and what should be done with the others.

In all, 14 district buildings will be vacant at some point this school year -- including several that are being replaced by new schools. Six of the 14 are slated to be demolished. And three others might be leased to charter schools or others...

"Columbus superintendent wants to drop middle schools" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Columbus superintendent wants to drop middle schools
By Simone Sebastian and Dean Narciso
The Columbus Dispatch
November 19, 2007

Superintendent Gene Harris wants to eliminate middle schools in the Columbus school district and house seventh- and eighth-graders in high schools instead, she announced at yesterday's school board meeting.

Under the plan, students would attend elementary schools from preschool through sixth grade...

...Several high schools are consolidating grades seven through 12 around the country. But few urban districts have converted all of their high schools as Harris plans...

Goddard Schools opens in downtown Columbus

Looks like preschool has a new option in downtown Columbus. Hopefully as little typkes in this type of program grow out of it and into the next phase of their education the options for schooling in the downtown and urban areas will grow right along with them.

Link: Inside 43215: Downtown Lifestyles
downtowncolumbus.com
October 9, 2007

...Goddard Schools are part of Goddard Systems, Inc., a Pennsylvania company with more than 250 franchises in 32 states. Its latest location: downtown at 101 E. Town St. The new school officially opened for business on October 8.

Goddard emphasizes a nurturing, stimulating atmosphere and a small group setting for ages six weeks to six years. Specialized lesson plans are tailored for each child based on age and personal needs and abilities. Learning programs include language arts skills, music, nutrition, manners and yoga. Om...

"Exodus to charters slowing?" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Exodus to charters slowing?
The Columbus Dispatch
September 24, 2007

The hemorrhage of students from the Columbus City School District appears to have slowed this school year.

Early reports suggest the district has lost about 840 students since last September, a trend district officials expect to carry into this school year.

In May, district budget officials predicted 3,000 students would leave the district for charter and private schools this school year, costing the district an additional $18 million...

"School's out, but districts find inventive uses for old buildings" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: School's out, but districts find inventive uses for old buildings
By Josh Jarman
The Columbus Dispatch
July 2, 2007

...The Columbus Public Schools auctioned nearly 70 properties between 1979 and 1999, records show, but the district still has 31 buildings that aren't permanent school sites.

Of those, at least six will be vacant next school year while 16 are being used as "swing space" -- locations for students who are displaced while their school buildings are being renovated or rebuilt. They'll also be handy if the district's student population starts to grow, said spokesman Michael Straughter.

Because of declining enrollment, the district has closed 14 school buildings since 2000 but has been holding onto the empty ones...

Why'd I post this?

Most specifically the Second Avenue School in Italian Village and what will become of it once the new Weinland Park School is fully up and running is on my mind.

"Candidate calls for takeover of schools" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Candidate calls for takeover of schools.
District is dragging down city's economy, mayoral hopeful says
Wednesday,  June 20, 2007 3:29 AM
By Simone Sebastian and Robert Vitale
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

The mayor of Washington, D.C., took control of his city's public schools last week, promising a new era of accountability in a district where children have given names to the mice that infest their classrooms.

In New York City, where Mayor Michael Bloomberg gained control of local schools in 2002, test scores released last week showed double-digit increases.

Columbus mayoral candidate William M. Todd proposed a similar takeover yesterday of Columbus Public Schools, a move he said would crack through a "barnacle-encrusted bureaucracy" that he blamed for financial missteps and lagging academic performance...

"District enrollment drops, but revenues remain strong" Suburban News Publications

Link: District enrollment drops, but revenues remain strong
The Columbus district lost another 500 students since its October count.
By JENNIFER NOBLIT
Suburban News Publications
May 23 - 30, 2007

While student enrollment continues to decline, Columbus Public Schools officials last week reported millions of dollars more in revenue than expected.

A five-year financial forecast from district Treasurer Michael Kinneer showed the district collected $26 million more than previously projected. The amount was a variation of 1.1 percent from October projections, he said.

A large portion of the surplus in revenue comes from real estate taxes, a increase Kinneer said was caused by a rise in property values and better-than expected collection of delinquent taxes...

"Schools’ rebirth short-lived" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Schools’ rebirth short-lived
State withdraws funding; K-12 charter shuts doors
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Jeb Phillips
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

After three weeks of hope and worry about the future of the Harte Crossroads charter schools, their sponsor closed them yesterday.

Most at the schools learned of the decision about 3 p.m., not long before the end of the school day.

Teachers, who have not been paid for their last month’s work, stood outside the schools’ doors in the Columbus City Center and cried. Seniors wondered whether they would be able to graduate from somewhere else. Parents said they felt that they had been misled by those who had taken over the schools two weeks ago...

Financial woes and confusion in City Center based charter school

Link: Harte schools push on
Struggling charters stay open, with fewer students
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Jennifer Smith Richards
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

..."Imagine the confusion, as a parent — hearing from one side (that your school is) closed and another that it’s open. We’re here to tell you it’s open. School is indeed going to go on," said Quinn Haas, one of the consultants placed at the Harte Crossroads schools to help keep them open despite their deep financial scars.

Empty desks stood out in the classrooms yesterday. Teachers are trying to remain hopeful, but it’s unclear whether they can win back the students who fled during the changeover last week. Founder Anita Nelam had told parents that Friday would be the last day...

"City seeks new uses for closed schools" Suburban News Publications

Link: City seeks new uses for closed schools
Garth Bishop
Suburban News Publications
February 21-28, 2007

The city's Planning Division is looking for constructive ways to use two closed-down Columbus school buildings and is seeking the input of local residents.

Citing declining enrollment, Columbus Public Schools closed down Beck Elementary School, 387 E. Beck St., and Barrett Middle School, 345 E. Deshler Ave., along with 10 other buildings at the end of the 2005-06 school year...

"District in line to meet its budget" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: District in line to meet its budget
Figure on charters, vouchers about right
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Bill Bush
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Columbus Public Schools have lost more money to charter schools than expected this year, but the district’s total budget is intact because fewer students than expected left to use vouchers.

The district had expected to lose about $60 million to both charter schools and vouchers in the 2006-07 school year. As of this month, Columbus is on track to lose about $59.27 million, district Budget Director Hugh Garside said...

"Linmoor Middle is next to close in Linden area" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Linmoor Middle is next to close in Linden area
School district already has closed four elementaries in neighborhood
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Bill Bush
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

The Columbus Board of Education followed the recommendation of a citizens’ task force yesterday and voted unanimously to close Linmoor Middle School at the end of this school year.

Board members acknowledged that the decision to close the school, at 2001 Hamilton Ave., would be another blow to the Linden area, which has been hit hard by school closings in the past year...

"Linmoor back on closing list" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Linmoor back on closing list
Plummeting enrollment at middle school is too much for Columbus task force to ignore
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Bill Bush
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

...After reviewing enrollment figures and the proposed "feeder pattern" of where Linmoor’s students would attend high school, the committee voted 7-0 yesterday to recommend that the Columbus Board of Education close the school at 2001 Hamilton Ave...

View School Closings graphic

"City school board approves closing 2 elementary schools" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: City school board approves closing 2 elementary schools
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Bill Bush
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

The Columbus Board of Education unanimously accepted the recommendation of a citizens’ task force yesterday to close two elementary schools at the end of this school year.

The board voted 6-0 to close Linden Park I.G.E. Alternative and Medary elementary schools because of falling district enrollment...

"School board closes two schools; will vote on a third" ThisWeek Community Newspapers

Link: School board closes two schools; will vote on a third
By SUE HAGAN
ThisWeek Staff Writer
Thursday, January 25, 2007

The Columbus Public Schools Board of Education voted Jan. 23 to close two schools at the end of the school year, and will vote on a third in two weeks.

The board unanimously followed a committee recommendation to close Linden Park Alternative and Medary elementary schools.

The Facilities Master Plan Revision Committee then voted on Jan. 24 to recommend that Linmoor Middle School also be closed. Superintendent Gene Harris said board members would vote on that recommendation at their next board meeting, Feb. 6...

"Board: Is closing 2 schools enough?" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Board: Is closing 2 schools enough?
Friday, January 19, 2007
Bill Bush
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH   

...A task force reviewing school closings recommended that Linden Park I.G.E. Alternative and Medary elementary schools be closed at the end of this school year. However, the panel backed off its preliminary recommendation to close two other buildings, Douglas Alternative Elementary and Linmoor Middle School...

...The panel went through a "template" that looked at a school’s enrollment, whether it was dropping, whether the school was being rebuilt or renovated, and whether surrounding schools could absorb students in the event of a closing.

Board member Stephanie Groce said the board needs to have a public discussion soon over whether closing small numbers of buildings each year is more painful than closing a larger number of buildings every few years.

"What happens if we lose another 3,000 students next year?" Groce asked. "Are we going to say we’re going back to the template? "

"Few attend first of four meetings on school closings" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Few attend first of four meetings on school closings
Next meeting is in area affected by plan
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Bill Bush
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH 

...About 50 people attended the meeting at West High School, but about 30 of them were district employees. Eight parents spoke. None voiced concerns about a plan to alter the schedule for rebuilding and remodeling schools, which the meetings also are designed to cover...

"Budget talks, school closings lead Columbus challenges" Suburban News Publications

Another year-in-review article for our Columbus Public Schools:

Link: Budget talks, school closings lead Columbus challenges
District leaders try to initiate improvements as families choose other options.
By GARTH BISHOP
Suburban News Publications
December 27, 2006 - January 3, 2007

Buildings were closed. Budgets were cut. Schedules were changed. Board members left and were replaced. New programs were implemented.

It isn't often that Columbus Public Schools has an uneventful year, and 2006 was no exception.

These are the year's top stories..

"Declining enrollment tops CPS news" ThisWeek Community Newspapers

There are a number of "year in review" articles I've come across as I get myself back into the loop. This one covers the Columbus Public Schools:

Link: Declining enrollment tops CPS news
By SUE HAGAN
ThisWeek Newspapers
Thursday, December 28, 2006

The continuing exodus of students from Columbus public schools, along with efforts to hold onto students, topped district news in 2006.

Other topics that grabbed their share of headlines included a tight budget, school closings and openings, the failure to meet a major goal and the superintendent's five-year anniversary with the district...

"Voucher plan startles city schools" The Columbus Dispatch

The only way I see charter schools and this voucher system as having a long-term positive effect is if reducing the burden on our struggling public school systems allows them time and funding to restrategize and begin implementing a new approach to the public education.

A lack of solid public education options in the central city only increases the challenges we face in coming up with a comprehensive plan for continued urban revitalization:

Link: Voucher plan startles city schools
27,352 students would be eligible in Columbus
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
David Conrad
FOR THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Columbus Superintendent Gene Harris criticized legislative plans to expand a statewide voucher program without public debate or proof that the program was working.

Under the new formula, students from 70 struggling Columbus Public Schools will be eligible to use vouchers to pay for private-school tuition. This year, the first where vouchers were offered statewide, 29 Columbus schools were on the list...

...Columbus has the most vouchereligible schools and accounts for about 30 percent of the total 235 buildings affected across the state. The next closest school district is Cincinnati, with 28...

..."We found last (time) that many of the private schools in Columbus were only offering a handful of seats," he said. "It’s too soon to tell, but I think we could be seeing a new problem here."...

"4 more may close" The Columbus Dispatch

Closing schools in the inner-city, building them on the city fringes to follow the increased residential growth and needs on the suburban border, these are all tactics that show a reactionary development plan for Columbus Public Schools:

Link: 4 more may close
Declining enrollment in city’s schools prompts recommendation by task force
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Bill Bush
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Four Columbus Public Schools buildings housing more than 800 students should close at the end of this school year because of falling district enrollment, a task force unanimously recommended yesterday...

...The district said yesterday that it has closed 18 schools in the past four years. That includes 12 that were closed last spring and Kent Elementary, which closed the year before...

While we need to support the needs of the suburbs, as we shift funding away from the city schools with declining attendance and increased competition with charter schools, it's time for some innovation and experimentation in our central city area.

Why don't we look at taking these old public school facilities and look at integrating smaller public schools that turn the rest of the facilities into community centers or rec centers. How about sharing space with some of these charter schools and offering incentives for locating in the city?

If we want to revitalize our urban core and the surrounding neighborhoods, we need the school systems to be available and functioning.

Time to start thinking outside the box on this issue.

"7 schools on Columbus’ closing list" The Columbus Dispatch

The way this article reads it seems that our committees and plans for the Columbus Public School system revolve around following the trend of suburban migration away from the central city. While for the short-term, the school closings make appropriate stop-gap measures to stop the hemorrhaging in our ailing budgets but we have yet to see any plans talking about reversing the trend:

Link: 7 schools on Columbus’ closing list
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Bill Bush
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

...After reviewing criteria such as enrollment trends and spare capacity needed to transfer students to nearby schools, the task force targeted four elementary schools and three middle schools for possible closure.

They are: Douglas Alternative, Fifth Avenue Alternative, Linden Park I.G.E. Alternative and Medary elementary schools, and Eastmoor, Linmoor and Medina middle schools. The panel removed two alternative middle schools, Franklin and Monroe, from the preliminary list because each had waiting lists of more than 100 students trying to gain admission...

...These trends — losing students in the district’s center and gaining them back on the fringes — drove the changes to the third segment of the building program, Harris said...

Stop the bleeding and then take care of the secondary issues, I agree with that. But what I will soon be looking for is the innovation required to provide solid schooling options within our central city area. Maybe it will be charter schools maybe not, but whatever happens we have to look at how to sew our educational systems directly into our neighborhood fabric to make them integral parts of the community for more than just the education of our children.

Creating combination community centers, public libraries, computer facilities, continuing education centers...you get the idea. Someone in the CPS needs to start looking outside the box, either that, or "we the people" need to start doing it.

"Schools come, go on district building plan" The Columbus Dispatch

When we think about wanting to revive Columbus Public Schools in the urban areas of Columbus as part of our larger city-wide urban revitalization plan, we have an undeniable reality to deal with: We're not setting any policies up to incent people to live in the urban areas.

Tax abatements on downtown housing doesn't count in this regards...it would need to be a much broader and more comprehensive plan that factors in neighborhood planning, the school system, charter schools and city incentives:

Link: Schools come, go on district building plan
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Bill Bush
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Columbus Public Schools proposed yesterday a reshuffling of its priorities concerning which schools to fix up or rebuild next as part of its $1.6 billion construction plan, citing changing enrollment and more pressing needs.

Twelve schools would get knocked off the next segment to make room for eight new projects — including a new school to serve growing Northeast Side subdivisions...

..."It’s really making the strategic decision based on where our population growth is and trying to accommodate our families and children," Harris said. "Closing schools is not something that we relish doing."...

"Enrollment issues again affect facilities planning" Suburban News Publications

Mixed messages for Columbus Publics Schools, especially as the mayor said in the 2007 Budget review that there wouldn't be any cuts in the school program. I guess we should take it that there are no planned cuts in the allotted budget but with dropping enrollment, cuts from student attrition wouldn't necessarily be considered budgets cuts but rather adjustments to staffing based off of student needs:

Link: Enrollment issues again affect facilities planning
By GARTH BISHOP
Suburban News Publications
November 22 - 29, 2006

As the committee studying Columbus Public Schools' Facilities Master Plan considers new buildings and innovative programs, the spectre of school closings looms over the proceedings.

The district has lost almost 3,500 students during the past year, and more losses are expected this year.

Last year, Columbus closed 12 school buildings to save money because of declining enrollment and other factors. Though the committee studying the Facilities Master Plan's first priority is on 21st century schools and assigning appropriate academic programs to the school buildings that have to be constructed, somewhere down the line, the committee will examine the possibility of closing more schools...

"CPS is completing plans for downtown high school" ThisWeek Community Nelwspapers

An update on the downtown high school that is in the works:

Link: CPS is completing plans for downtown high school
Thursday, November 23, 2006
By SUE HAGAN
ThisWeek Newspapers

As soon as Columbus Public Schools gets the nod from city planners, it will move full speed ahead to build its new downtown high school at the corner of Mound and Fourth streets...

...The downtown school, billed as an alternative high school but with a career center focus, is slated to open in late 2008. It will be 134,000 square feet in size and has a construction budget of $21-million...

"A Promise Kept for Kalamazoo" Michigan Land Use Institute

If you can get past the whole "Michigan" thing, you'll see a new trend that I've stumbled onto that is linking educational incentive programs in with urban communities that have historically been losing families in order to tackle multiple issues at once.

If you can innovate policies and programs that can retain families in our inner-city neighborhoods, boost graduation rates and help the local economy with real estate appreciation, you've really hit on something:

Link: A Promise Kept for Kalamazoo
Bold scholarship program helps more than town’s students
By Keith Schneider
Great Lakes Bulletin News Service

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—When economists and civic leaders discuss ways to revive this economically buffeted state, the talk quickly converges on the need to dramatically increase the number of high school students who continue their education and graduate from college.

Thanks to a group of anonymous donors, no place in Michigan, and perhaps no place in America, has achieved that goal as quickly and effectively as this mid-sized, post-industrial city. The donors' novel philanthropic fund pays up to 100 percent of the college tuition and fees for graduates of Kalamazoo’s three public high schools—as long as they attend a community college or university in Michigan...

"School closings not over?" The Columbus Dispatch

While there may not necessarily be more school closures, the latest task for is looking for places for testing grounds for new programs in schools where enrollment is still down. Closures have not been ruled out:

Link: School closings not over?
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Jennifer Smith Richards
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

The Columbus Public Schools never said they would stop at 12.

And it doesn’t look like the district will: A task force that picked the 12 schools that were closed last spring has begun meeting again. Meanwhile, enrollment continues to deteriorate in some schools, leaving a handful with fewer than 200 students.

...This school year, five buildings (not counting a specialneeds school) have 200 or fewer students. Three are operating at less than half of their capacity. Twenty-two lost at least 100 students from last year to this school year...

...Part of the newly revived task force’s charge is to choose where new and innovative programs should go. A separate committee already has suggested that the district try some new things, including technology-focused schools and a high school for high-achieving students...

"District down 3,081 pupils" The Columbus Dispatch

With all the downtown plans and initiatives...there isn't a peep about education. This is one area that is grossly undervalued in our current downtown plans and there is barely any discussion about it in the media other than announcements such as this. While it is clear that the targeted downtown residents are typically childless couples and singles and empty-nesters, to not work on the public schools issue means that there is LIMITED TO NO ALTERNATIVE to heading out to the suburbs if you have children.

In a city where I hope to see urban living evolved and supplied as a viable alternative to the suburbs, the education system needs to be bumped up the priority list:

Link: District down 3,081 pupils
Charters, private-school voucher program behind decline in enrollment
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Jennifer Smith Richards and Bill Bush
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

The exodus of Columbus Public Schools students to charter, private and suburban schools is on track to turn into a stampede this year.

More than 2 1 /2 times as many district students have left at the start of this school year than the average enrollment drop of the past five years...

View enrollment chart

"School District Considering More Layoffs" WBNS-10TV

Ouch. You can see the pain by the numbers. It's clear, by the numbers, that education is not to high on the city's agenda...at least as reported by the media:

Link: School District Considering More Layoffs
Sep 19 2006 11:28PM
Reported by Eric James
WBNS-10TV

...Dr. Harris said the district may have to cut 120 jobs because the district lost more than 3,000 students at once. The district predicted it would lose 2,500 students to charter schools this year.

Dr. Harris said the loss of the additional 500 students can be blamed on shutting down 12 schools, the new state voucher system and the new school schedule. She said the district needs to adjust to the enrollment now. But she added that she is working to keep as many teachers as she can...

"Legislators hold debate on charter-school efficiency" The Columbus Dispatch

So as to not forget the importance of a properly functioning education system in our urban areas, I'm still keeping an eye on things out of the corner of my eye. For some time their have been a number people hoping that charter schools would be able to help carry the educational efforts back into a positive direction. This article was very brief but the numbers looked interesting:

Link: Legislators hold debate on charter-school efficiency
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
The Columbus Dispatch

...He acknowledged that some charter schools have failed, but he said the schools have filled a need as evidenced by the 72,000 students now attending more than 2,200 charter schools in the state.

Fedor, a Toledo Democrat and former teacher, said taxpayers may want to reconsider the investment. Last school year, 71 percent of charter schools ranked in academic watch or academic emergency on state report cards because of low proficiency-test scores and other measures...

"1,384 won’t be riding buses" The Columbus Dispatch

I often write about some of the issues that arrive with expansion of a city by spreading out in a suburban style...the more land and fewer people per acre, the higher the cost to support the infrastructure and public serivces (police, fire, education...). This article highlights another issue related to the education factor of the equation when it comes to sprawling growth.

I'm not looking to start a campaign targeted at bringing about the demise of sprawl. I'm looking to provide an education regarding both urban and suburban development and their pros and cons and ultimately ensuring that their are options aside from the car dependent suburban model that reigns supreme in Columbus:

Link: 1,384 won’t be riding buses
Columbus schools have limits on service to private- and charter-school students
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
B y B ill B ush
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

...If the district doesn’t get its three-tier average from 53 to the state average of 72 by the start of the 2007-08 school year, it will lose state transportation money, Pinkett said. That would mean an average of 24 students per run...

...One of the problems is that the district has 209 square miles, and grows every year as new areas of Franklin County annex into the city of Columbus and Columbus Public Schools, Pinkett said...

"Former State Architect Castellanos Proposes Reforms to How Schools Are Designed & Built" New Schools Better Neighborhoods

In reading this article it drummed up an out-of the-box approach to throw on the table when trying to think of ways to address the public schooling system in urban areas. While it doesn't necessarily address the academic aspect per say, centering schools as community resource, and designing them to be such, provides an interesting concept. It sounds good at first pass. Definitely have to do some more reading on the topic...:

Link: "Former State Architect Castellanos Proposes Reforms to How Schools Are Designed & Built"
New Schools Better Neighborhoods
Summer 2006 Newsletter

...Everyone now accepts the notion that schools can and should be "centers of community." Schools and neighborhoods go hand-in-glove, and schools now serve much more than ever important needs of communities and neighborhoods. We now expect schools to do a great deal more to knit together communities, generations, and the incredible diversity that cities have, particularly in Los Angeles. And we have to make smart capital investments, consistent with the realities of the marketplace – the construction marketplace re the timing of the construction, and how we work together, if we are ever to optimize outcomes and use scarce resources effectively...

"District millions short" The Columbus Dispatch

Having to increase property taxes in a subsequent year to fix an accounting mistake hurts us in more ways than we realize. Not only could it mean any potential tax increases that may have been considered as a levy for some other possible uses will hard-pressed to be passed, but by having to restructure and pay more going forward, less funds become available over the long term to provide latitude for any potential public school overhaul plans.

What's the solution to our public school dilemma? What's the plan and who's working on it? Is there one?

One of the most important elements in continuing urban revitalization and reversing the flow of people to the suburbs lies in a solution for repairing our defunct public school system so that families with school-age children could at least look at inner-ring (inside 270) suburbs and urban neighborhoods as a viable place to relocate:

Link: District millions short
Schools at a loss after millage miscalculated
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Bill Bush
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

...The mistake has left the district $7.5 million short of what it needs to pay about $34 million in interest and principal this year on bonds sold to finance construction. District officials said yesterday that they have several options to plug the financial gap, but board members couldn’t arrive at a plan during a meeting.

Board of Education members discussed restructuring the $356 million in debt, allowing the district to delay millions of dollars in payments due in December in return for higher payments over the remaining 26 years of the life of the bonds.

Another option would be to take an advance of $7.5 million from next year’s property-tax revenue and then raise taxes next year to pay it back. District Treasurer Michael Kinneer projects that would require 4.32 mills — 1.62 mills more than mistakenly charged on tax bills paid this year...

St. Joseph Montessori School Showcase and Annual Meeting

In the past I've briefly touched on the issue of our struggling public school system here in Columbus, with specific attention to the affect it has on our urban neighborhoods in regards to our city-wide revitalization efforts.

Without question, in order for our urban efforts to be able to fully take hold, the education system component in and around the inner-city area needs much work in order to bring it up to a level that will help attract and retain a family demographic with school-age children into our urban communities.

While the city and community continue to work on the public system, there are other options that consist of private, alternative and charter schools. Some of these alternatives are new, some are established. Few though, have gained the recognition for excellence and resounding support of the parents whose children attended this unique and effective inner-city institution for education of preschool through eighth grade age children. That institution is St. Joseph Montessori School located less than a mile from downtown in the heart of Italian Village.

I plan on covering St. Joe's in a more in-depth piece in the coming months but for the time being I wanted to pass along an opportunity for you check out the school and what they are doing by attending their Showcase and Annual Meeting. The Showcase is intended in part to allow interested parents to investigate the school and see what the Montessori Method of education can do for their children. If you have children or may be having them in the near future and enjoy the urban lifestyle and surrounding communities you will definitely want to put St. Joseph Montessori School at the top of your list:

St. Joseph Montessori School Showcase and Annual Meeting
May 16, 2006, Tuesday
From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Light refreshments will be served.

Please R.S.V.P. Jim Mengel at jmmengel@yahoo.com or (614) 291- 8644 if you plan on attending.

Visit the St. Joseph Montessori School's website

"Columbus cuts 314 teachers" The Columbus Dispatch

In the same manner that things are expected to get worse for City Center before they get better, it seems that the public school system serving our urban core will be facing the same type of dilemma:

Link: Columbus cuts 314 teachers
District tries to make up for $28 million deficit
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Bill Bush
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

...The district will eliminate about 413 teaching positions before the start of next school year to save $24.8 million of a projected $28 million deficit it blames on declining enrollment attributed mostly to charter schools. The deepest cuts to the teaching staff will come at the elementary- and middle-school levels, where enrollment declines have been steepest, Superintendent Gene Harris said...

...The layoffs would have been more severe had 153 teachers not agreed to voluntarily quit in return for $50,000 paid over either five or eight years, depending on whether they were eligible for a state pension. Another 109 teachers also have agreed to leave before the end of next school year in June 2007...

As it relates to our urban core:

1. Our public transportation system needs work and is being worked on via COTA's Long Range Transit Plan and the city of Columbus' investigation into streetcars as a way of connecting downtown and the surrounding urban neighborhoods.
2. Our retail presence downtown needs love and while our hands are tied in waiting for the fate of the Mills Corporation to be decided from which City Center mall's future will be determined, we at least have Nationwide Realty Investment at the ready to help consult if and when the time comes.
3. Our education system is probably the one element that is in the worst shape when it comes to being able to contribute to a healthy and complete community fabric in our urban neighborhoods. With the inability to serve the needs of families, the public school systems that are available in our urban neighborhoods do act a deterrent when it comes to attracting families back into the fold.

The education system is currently on life-support and the city is trying to stop the bleeding (of dollars) which is completely understandable but the question is: What is the next step?

If we do stabilize the budget, what can we do to stop the migration out of the system, if anything? Is there a strategy or a plan or are we slapping bandages on system that has a terminal form of cancer just slowly eating away at it?

I'm not into the school system deep enough at this point to have the answers, but just as the streetcars are being looked at as a tool to continue to catalyze the effort of development downtown, I'm curious as to our educational "streetcar" or if something like it exists.

What is the next step for our educational system?

"Plans OK’d for first high school in Downtown business district" The Columbus Dispatch

A multi-use education center is making its way downtown over the next couple of years through design and construction. I'm still formulating my thoughts on this one:

Link: Plans OK’d for first high school in Downtown business district
Friday, March 24, 2006
Debbie Gebolys
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

Columbus Public Schools received the OK yesterday to build a $24 million high school the first in city history in the Downtown business district.

Yet to be named, the career center and adult-education center will be built on Mound Street, between 4 th and 5 th streets, in time for the 2008-2009 school year...

View location on Google (it's the block to the southeast of the marker)

With all the housing being developed downtown being geared towards a more affluent crowd who wouldn't necessarily utilize the adult education center and most of the housing being geared for families and individuals without children at this point, I guess the thought of a high school hadn't occurred to me.

My lack of expertise in planning may be showing though.

I'm not suggesting that downtown is only for the rich, famous and childless but this new high school just brought up a big hole in my own knowledge regarding the socio-economic make-up and plan for downtown. It's got me thinking about something I hadn't thought of before though, which is always a good thing.

Dead mall. Expensive housing. New high school and education center? Guess I need to see the big picture to see how this fits in.

This one is currently getting by me so if you have any bits of knowledge to share please enlighten myself and your fellow RetroMetro readers...

"Columbus schools chopping more jobs" Columbus Business First