Columbus Board of Education

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.

Superintendent Angela Chapman presented a report to the Columbus Board of Education that outlines how a task force will decide which school buildings need to close.

The goals are for 3rd graders taking the Ohio Standardized Test for the current school year until the 2027-2028 school year, many of whom weren't in school yet when the pandemic began.

The levy would raise school district property taxes by nearly $270 for a home worth $100,000, if approved by Columbus voters.