Columbus Board of Education member Brandon Simmons said he “let the district down,” in a social media apology Thursday for his involvement with a leaked document related to a plan to consolidate school district buildings.
The document outlined divisive and suppressive strategies to handle the Columbus Education Association’s negative reaction to the board’s plan to shutter some of the district’s schools.
The leaked document stated the board members should attempt to weaken the union for its negative response and subvert their ability to participate in public discussions.
After receiving a copy, CEA called for Simmons' resignation. CEA described the document as “abhorrent, vile, corrupt.”
Columbus City Schools board member Sarah Ingles said on Thursday morning that she was the one who leaked the document. In a social media post, Ingles wrote she was “appalled and offended when I read it.”
Simmons claims that other board members helped pen the document attributed to him, but several members, including Ingles, have denied that.
In a Thursday evening statement on Facebook, Simmons maintained that the document was “collaborative” and that it was “discussed in multiple meetings.”
He said, however, that he deeply regretted not standing by his values.
“It was unacceptable not only to be put on paper, but also unacceptable to have these thoughts or ideas about our labor partners who are community members and contribute to the education of our students each and every day,” Simmons wrote.
He went on to write that “the words on that document should not exist,” and said he could not dismiss the “ugly reality of this situation.”
The Board of Education set a special meeting for 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Columbus Education Center on East State Street to discuss what will happen next with Simmons and the document. The board will consider investigating complaints against Simmons and will meet with an attorney.
The meeting will be a closed executive session, but Board President Christina Vera said in a statement that the district will share more information in the coming days.
“While we know these disappointing actions have interrupted our work in the district, rest assured that we remain committed to doing what is best for our students, our district, and our school community,” Vera wrote.
