After Board President Michael Cole leaves office, the Columbus City Schools Board of Education will have had four different chairs in only three years.
Board member Christina Vera was the last president before Cole. She led the board while members debated which schools from a list of dozens of buildings should close, and dealt with the fallout from the controversial leaked document that almost upended the process.
She stepped down in January and is also one of three board members not seeking re-election.
As an election approaches where three new board members will be elected and eventually a new president will be chosen, Vera said she doesn't think the board's leadership is unstable.
This interview was edited for clarity and length.
George Shillcock: Board member Christina Vera, the first question I wanted to ask you is why you chose to step down as school board president and why won't you seek re-election?
Christina Vera: My capacity had changed, really wanting to focus on health and family. And so for me, it was a difficult decision, but one that I felt like was necessary for, you know, the work ahead. I've had four, well, it'll be four incredible years serving in this capacity when my term is all said and done and recognizing that we've done a lot of amazing work together, you know, coming out of the pandemic, was something obviously the world went through and I was blessed to be a part of the team during that process.
George Shillcock: Since Jennifer Adair stepped down, we've had you and also Michael Cole step into the role. Michael Cole is not running for re-election and neither are you. Why do you believe there's been so much change over this time period in the board presidency?
Christina Vera: Columbus City Schools Board of Education is like any other governing body. We obviously do experience leadership transitions, but while there has been changes in the board presidency, our commitment to stability, governance and student success remains unchanged. And so, you know, I like to say that any given moment, one of us should be ready to serve in that capacity. Although, as I mentioned, the role of the board president is important. But decisions are made collectively. In the past three years, we have all been in leadership in different capacities over the years.
George Shillcock: Speaking to just some of the tough decisions and tough situations and challenges that the board has had to go through over the last few years, do you think that those have weighed on yourself and the other school board presidents?
Christina Vera: I think it weighs on everybody, not just the board. It weighs on, you know, the community. It weighs on our students, our staff. And so certainly, you know, it's not something unique solely, I believe, to the board because these are real situations. These are real people. And so oftentimes I think, you know, we forget that the things that may play out in the media or in the public. We're talking about children's lives. Being a board member is service. This for the most part is a volunteer position. Many of us also have full-time jobs. And so it has to be bigger than just wanting to be an elected official. You have to truly care about people. I think it's important that people understand that change in leadership is not uncommon in public service. It doesn't mean that there's an instability. It's simply, honestly, it's a reflection of the democratic process.
George Shillcock: Now what is it going to take to get back to having a long-term board president? Is it a matter of finding the right person with the right personality, or is it something else?
Christina Vera: I think it's really what the community wants. I don't know that it necessarily, you know, we've listened to our community and oftentimes that is not something that they've stressed to us that is of critical importance. They just want the right person. They just want board members that reflect their values and reflect the vision of the district.
George Shillcock: And with three of you leaving — you, Michael Cole, and Ramona Reyes — do you think the three new board members coming in, and the next school board as a whole, are they going to have their work cut out for them?
Christina Vera: I mean, any public servant is gonna have their work cut out for them. And so I think it's, like I said, it has to be, I tell people this all the time, to really spend some time sitting in your "why." Why do you wanna serve in this capacity? Because those are, that "why," if it's the right "why," certainly will help guide you in the work, especially on days that it's really, really heavy and you don't really know which direction to go. And so. You know, I'm optimistic about whoever is elected to serve, who has the honor to serve on the Columbus Board of Education because there is a lot of work to be done. Make no mistake about that.
George Shillcock: Thank you for your time. That was former board president Christina Vera with the Columbus City Schools Board of Education.
Next week, WOSU will interview current Board President Michael Cole about his views on the board's leadership. Last week, WOSU interviewed Vera's predecessor, Jennifer Adair.
