The finalists to become the next superintendent of Columbus City Schools participated in a community forum ahead of a final decision by the Columbus Board of Education.
The event took place at the Southland Center on South High Street Thursday evening.
The three candidates include:
- Dr. Angela Chapman, the interim superintendent for Columbus City Schools
- Dr. Brian McDonald, a superintendent from Pasadena, California.
- Dr. George "Eric" Thomas, an associate superintendent from Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Chapman, McDonald and Thomas were asked a series of questions by the audience and a moderator on topics including teachers unions, working in a diverse district like CCS, violence in schools, truancy and much more.
Chapman said at the start of the forum she wants the permanent job after serving as the interim superintendent for months. She talked about the need to work on relationships with the district and build a culture that people can work and grow in.
"Together we can create enriching learning environments where teachers want to teach, custodians want to work, secretaries want to work and create environments that are enriching and joyous to everyone," Chapman said.
McDonald stressed that he wants to build relationships and partnerships in schools by being highly visible in the schools and in the community. He said the district needs a culture and environment where students can be connected to their teachers and each other, and find an education that is meaningful.
"If we don't take the time to listen effectively, then we won't hear concerns or we might not even hear kudos," McDonald said.
Thomas touted several programs he helped implement as a chief innovation officer at Cincinnati Public Schools, helping the district achieve a B rating. But he said what works for Cincinnati may not apply to Columbus. He said he thinks he can provide leadership to improve the district in a similar way.
Thomas also addressed accusations he mismanaged a former role he held in Georgia, which led to him being investigated by the state. He was the state's Chief Turnaround Officer, a position where he helped lower-performing schools, until 2020 when he resigned. Thomas blamed the state superintendent for getting upset that the office was not under his purview, but under the state board of education and created an audit that neither he or his bosses knew about.
"When I responded, the state board that I reported to on a 14-0 vote ended the matter. As a part of ending the matter I received a sizable financial settlement to attempt to resolve it to some extent," he said.
The three were asked twice about collective bargaining and teachers unions. About 4,500 Columbus Education Association teachers went on strike this academic year in August, disrupting the first days of schools.
McDonald, Chapman and Thomas all expressed a desire to work with teachers to avoid a teachers strike and find ways to make the district a desirable place to avoid the need to strike.
Just before the forum, the Columbus NAACP and President Nana Watson issued a notice of "no confidence" in the board of education because of how it has conducted the search for a new superintendent.
The statement said the search process has lacked transparency and is an irresponsible use of taxpayer dollars. It also said the search has lacked integrity and honesty relating to the search up to and including vetting the candidates.
The district is paying $250,000 to the Taft Stettinius & Hollister law firm of Columbus; Ray & Associates, a Cedar Rapids firm that specializes in academic executive leadership searches, and Fahlgren Mortine, a Columbus-based marketing firm.
Lonnie Miles attended the event and owns a business in the district. He said he was particularly impressed by one candidate
"Probably more impressed by Dr. Thomas. First of all it looks like he has a track record of winning. If you're going to transform this district I think you have to have somebody who has done it before and is open enough the collaborate," Miles said.
Miles said he did wish he heard from more of the candidates about truancy since only Chapman was asked to address that issue.
Board members Christina Vera and Michael Cole spoke to press after the event. Vera, the board's vice president, did not specify when it would make a final determination on who to hire after the three meet with the board for final interviews Monday. The board has a meeting planned for Friday, May 19.
"It's about taking the time to make sure that we get it right. It's not a race for us," Vera said,
Cole said he was impressed by all three and their knowledge about the district. Chapman, McDonald and Thomas spent the day talking with teachers, students and other groups and toured different school buildings in the district before the forum.
"They knew a considerable amount of what our successes are organizationally. They could speak to our portrait of a graduate, they could speak to the myriad of things we've done well as a board and even as a community collective," Cole said.
The full forum can be watched on the Columbus City Schools Facebook page.
The district is searching for a new leader with former Superintendent Talisa Dixon retiring at the end of the current academic year. Dixon has been serving in another administrative role for several months.
