Columbus City Schools' Board of Education members Michael Cole, Christina Vera and Ramona Reyes will not seek re-election to their seats, setting up a 13-candidate May primary fight to fill their posts.
The three incumbents did not file the necessary paperwork to qualify for May's primary election for the three open seats. Vera previously announced she would not run after she stepped down as chair last month. Cole took her place as board chair in early January.
Cole joined the board in 2014. Reyes is the longest serving member of the board, first joining in 2008.
Cole announced he would not run in a statement on Thursday. He said for the remainder of his term, his dedication to fairness and prioritizing students remains unwavering.
"Serving in this capacity has been one of the greatest honors of my life, allowing me to work alongside dedicated colleagues, staff, students and the residents of our great city," Cole said.
The thirteen people that filed to run in May's primary include:
- Liz Caslin-Turner
- Yasmine Farah
- Teresa Hannah
- Patrick Katzenmeyer
- Ivory L. Kennedy, Jr.
- Jermaine Kennedy
- Janeece Keyes‐Shanklin
- Karrie Lumpkin
- Mounir F. Lynch
- Kimberley Mason
- Antoinette Miranda
- Tracey L. Sigers
- Julie Trabold
During the May primary, voters will be asked to pick between the 13 candidates. The top six vote getters will advance to November's election to fill the three seats.
The signatures each candidate submitted will also have to be verified.
