Columbus City Schools is seeing an influx of Haitian students that is putting pressure on teachers in several district buildings.
Independence High School staff and teachers told the Columbus Board of Education on Wednesday their student population grew from around 600 students to 900. Many of these new students speak Haitian-Creole or Spanish.
Classroom sizes have also increased, putting strain on the teachers there.
It wasn't long ago that an influx of Haitian migrants in nearby Springfield, Ohio became a focal point of the U.S. presidential election. President-elect Donald Trump spread false claims that migrants there were eating people's pets. There were other claims that the increase in migrants was putting pressure on local healthcare systems and schools in Springfield.
CCS Deputy Superintendent Kathryn Moser told those at the meeting that they've closed enrollment at Independence and are adding at least three new teachers. The district is also looking to add more English learner services at the schools.
"Independence experienced an unprecedented influx of students, many of whom are Haitian-Creole students, and this is similar to what we are seeing in some other cities in Ohio at this time," Moser said.
Moser said the district added administrative support to assist with the student transitions and provide additional support for classroom teachers. She said they did need to deliver additional classroom furniture and distribute computers within the building.
Board President Christina Vera says the district has been working to figure out solutions.
"We recognize that this is also going to impact other school buildings. And so growth is a good thing, but we need to be able to support that growth," Vera said.
Moser said Columbus Global Academy, West High School and Walnut Ridge High School are also feeling this strain.
