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Residents tell board they were misled about school district; annexation paperwork cited
Summary
Two recently moved residents told the Canal Winchester board they were shown county maps indicating Canal Winchester enrollment but were later told their addresses fall in Columbus City Schools under a "win‑win" annexation agreement; the board said administrative paperwork has been submitted and staff will follow up.
Two residents addressed the Canal Winchester Local Board of Education during public voice on July 13 to say their newly rented apartments and nearby parcels appear on county auditor maps as part of Canal Winchester but are being treated administratively as Columbus City School District properties.
"My name is Kathy Clark. I moved to Canal Winchester in late May... I checked the auditor's website in April and it stated that my address was Canal Winchester School District," she told the board. Clark said when she called district offices she was told her address belonged to Columbus Public instead and that lawyers were working on the issue. She said she is paying Canal Winchester taxes and asked who could resolve the discrepancy before the school year begins.
Another resident, Samantha Blackburn, told the board the apartment developer filed permits last May and that families signed leases relying on the district and county online maps. She urged the board to consider a mechanism to grandfather families who signed leases before July 1 into the district if the mapping error is not resolved quickly.
Board members and staff described a "win‑win" annexation agreement that governs parcel transfers on annexation; presenters said the parcels in question were annexed to Columbus in 2023 and that, under the agreement, school assignment followed annexation. Staff said they had recently completed and sent administrative paperwork to correct mapping records and were working with Columbus City Schools and county officials; they offered to follow up individually with the residents.
Board leaders acknowledged the hardship for families who recently moved and promised a follow up call. The board did not take any formal action at the meeting; staff said they will continue coordination with county and state offices to resolve the mapping and tax records and to provide families with enrollment options in the interim.
