Columbus Board of Education

Independence High School teachers told the Columbus Board of Education Wednesday their population grew from around 600 students to 900. Many of these new students speak Haitian-Creole or Spanish.

Columbus School Board President Christina Vera said board members were able to talk with teachers, students, and in some cases, families.

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.

Security measures include handheld metal detector wands and walk-through screening detectors.

The final recommended list was determined from nine scenarios where multiple schools were considered for closure.

The schools are spread across Columbus. Most are elementary schools, but there are some high schools and middle schools that could get the axe.