The Columbus Board of Education voted unanimously to censure board member Brandon Simmons for the rest of the year. It also ordered him to produce public records related to a leaked document he wrote by the end of the business day Thursday or the district’s legal counsel would file action against him to do so.
The votes came after a four-hour executive session at a special meeting downtown Wednesday. The meeting was called after a document that Simmons wrote was leaked last week.
The document outlined divisive and suppressive strategies to handle the teacher’s union’s negative reactions to board plans to close some of the district’s schools.
Board member Jennifer Adair said that the board has received many public records requests concerning this matter. Other board members have cooperated but Simmons, who voted to censure himself, has not.
“I do not agree with many of the sentiments he put into that document, specific to our union and labor partners,” Adair said. "I support the censureship.”
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Board member Michael Cole said that Simmons “has failed to acknowledge and own his behavior. Not just I the recent past two or three weeks. But since he became a board member.
“He has displayed disruptive, dismissive behavior that has done nothing but create angst, distrust and at the same time I would say abuse staff," Cole said.
Board President Christina Vera said that no other board member contributed to Simmons document.
She said Simmons has also been removed from committee assignments.
Simmons said that ultimately he was wrong.
“I allowed my frustration to lead me to act in a way that was inconsistent with my values and for that I am very sorry,” he said. “The document should not exist. I am deeply, deeply sorry and ashamed.”
“I am willing to acknowledge my participation in this process,” Simmons said. “I think it is unfortunate that there are maybe other folks at this table who are not willing to acknowledge their participation in this process no matter how big or small.”
Simmons left immediately after the vote was taken.
Vera said after the meeting that the board would later determine what form the censureship will take.
The board said last week it was not planning to take action at Wednesday’s meeting, but changed the agenda on Tuesday that the board would reconvene for possible action related to charges of complaints against a public official.
