Columbus City Schools board approves supervisors' pay revisions, authorizes contracts and moves to executive session

The Columbus City Schools Board of Education on March 3 approved several personnel- and contract-related actions, recognized two schools for inclusive athletics and student leadership, and voted to move into executive session to discuss personnel matters.

At the meeting, the board adopted a resolution authorizing revisions to the Columbus Schools Classified Supervisors Association (CSCSA) compensation package after public comment from CSCSA representative Debbie DeShane O, who said the association has seen "reductions in benefit" over the past five years and asked to be included earlier in district decisions. "We are a resource," DeShane O said, urging more collaborative communication between supervisors and district leadership. The resolution was adopted by roll-call vote and the motion carried.

The board also approved authorization to amend a service agreement with State House Impact Group and a purchase agreement with The Ohio State University. On item 24.1, the board approved the amendment to the district's agreement with State House Impact Group; Vice President Sarah Ingles recorded an abstention and the motion carried by roll call. On item 24.2, the board approved authority to enter a purchase agreement with The Ohio State University; President Dr. Miranda recorded an abstention and the motion carried by roll call.

Treasurer Mr. Cook briefed the board on recent finance work, saying the district's boundary-funding work "resulted in over $10 million in savings for the taxpayers of our district," and noted the district may be eligible for an additional funding tranche this summer that could yield more savings.

The board read and approved resolutions recognizing Beatty Park Elementary School and Northland High School as Special Olympics National Banner Unified Champion Schools. Dr. Pierce read highlights of the resolutions; Beatty Park principal Jessica Waddell thanked the board and said she and her staff work every day so "all children deserve a positive elementary experience," noting the school's commitment to inclusion.

Several consent-agenda items were approved in two votes during the meeting. The board also announced committee appointments and heard a brief series of district highlights, including competitions and arts performances.

Vice President Sarah Ingles moved that the board move into executive session under Ohio Revised Code Section 121.22(G)(1) to consider personnel matters; the motion passed by roll call. The board noted it would adjourn following the executive session and not reconvene publicly that evening.

The board did not provide detailed public summaries of executive-session discussions; next procedural steps and timelines for implementing the compensation changes and the contracts were not specified in the public record.