Brandon Simmons

Columbus City Schools' board Vice President Tina Pierce released a 19-minute phone call with board member Brandon Simmons to show she had nothing to do with a controversial memo.

The board voted 6-1 to request Simmons' resignation. The vote also was the second censure against Simmons. It aims to restrict his access to school buildings due to what other members of the board allege are "security concerns."

WOSU obtained via records request the audio recordings Simmons submitted to the Ohio Auditor’s Office. The recording files are labeled as “Tina Pierce and Brandon Simmons” and “Jennifer Adair and Brandon Simmons.”

Simmons alleges his colleagues retaliated against him after he authored a document trying to silence dissenting voices on the district's plan to close some buildings.

The Columbus City Schools Board of Education said it plans on touring all nine buildings recommended by a taskforce to close.

CCS officials do not yet have a vote scheduled on whether or not to shut down a number of schools recommended for closure by a taskforce.

The board also voted to produce public records related to a leaked document Simmons wrote.

A mid-September heatwave in Central Ohio has made it difficult for some students to concentrate in class. While many suburban districts boast…