Columbus Schools: Staff Cuts Approved Amid $50M Shortfall

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Columbus City Schools Approves deep Staffing Cuts amid $50 Million Budget Crisis

The Columbus City Schools Board of Education unanimously approved a sweeping series of staffing cuts Tuesday evening, a move officials say is necessary to address a notable $50 million budget shortfall. The reductions, exceeding previous targets, signal a challenging period for Ohio’s largest school district.

The board initially authorized the elimination or suspension of 62 positions, a measure expected to save the district just over $7 million – surpassing the $6.6 million in cuts directed in December. These cuts represent the latest phase in a broader effort to stabilize the district’s finances, which have been strained by shifts in state funding.

The approved resolution details specific reductions, including the abolition of 34 vacant administrative positions, the suspension of employment contracts for 19 administrative roles, and the elimination of six family engagement coordinator positions. Three supervisor of health services positions will also be abolished with associated contract suspensions.

Did you know? – Columbus City Schools employed 309 administrators before the pandemic, increasing to 411 before recent cuts, now totaling 349.

“This is not work any of us take lightly. These decisions are complex,” said board President Dr. Antoinette Miranda. “We want to be clear from the start, this board understands that budgets are not just numbers on a page.They represent people, programs and learning environments. That reality is guiding every conversation we have.”

Miranda emphasized the unavoidable nature of personnel reductions, stating, “We know it’s unavoidable, because 80% of the budget is personnel. And so when you have to get rid of $50 million, you know that a large part of it is going to be personnel.” The board’s stated priority is to minimize disruption to classroom instruction.

Superintendent Dr. Angela Chapman confirmed that impacted staff members were informed of the cuts individually over the weekend,describing the conversations as “difficult.” Chapman stressed that the reductions are focused on positions, not individual performance. “These reductions are focused on positions and not people. Job performance was not a factor in these decisions,” she said. She also noted that many of the affected positions are already vacant or will become so due to planned retirements and resignations, and that some individuals may be eligible for school-based positions within the district.

Chapman clarified that the majority of the eliminated administrative roles were supervisory positions, removed from direct classroom instruction. “the majority of those admin positions were the furthest away from the classroom,meaning they were supervisors supervising other adults in central office,” she explained.

Reader question – How will these cuts affect students with special needs? Parents express concern about already strained resources and support ratios.

Despite assurances, concerns remain among parents about the potential impact on classroom support. Sheila Hill, a parent of a student with special education needs, expressed anxiety about already strained resources. “It’s very nerve-wracking to think about there being more staffing cuts when classrooms are already under ratio,” Hill told local news outlet 10TV. “We really need these students to have the support that they need and for staff to have the support they need to safely monitor children and give them what they need.”

Further staffing discussions,focusing on classified and certificated positions,are planned for the spring. Chapman reiterated the commitment to protecting resources directly supporting classroom learning.

The vote followed public comment, including from a student, Colton Crayton, who urged the newly elected board to ensure responsible spending. The current cuts build upon more than $50 million in reductions approved in December,which included eliminating transportation for K-8 students attending non-neighborhood or lottery schools and the closure of four school buildings: Broadleigh Elementary School,Buckeye Middle School,Moler Elementary School,and the McGuffey Facility,home to columbus Alternative High school.

the district has experienced a significant increase in administrative positions in recent years. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Columbus City Schools employed 309 administrators. That number rose to 411 before Tuesday’s cuts,which bring the total down to 349. This reduction reflects a intentional effort to streamline administrative overhead amid