COLUMBUS, OH – The Columbus Education Association, the Union representing more than 4,000 teachers, librarians, nurses, counselors, psychologists, and other education professionals in Columbus City Schools, called today upon the Superintendent of Columbus City Schools to ensure that the initial round of COVID-19 Vaccination is available to all Columbus City Schools employees prior to a return to blended learning. A date of February 1, 2021 was announced by the CCS Superintendent today for a return to the blended learning model.

“Our members want nothing more than to return to in-person instruction as soon as safely possible. This means that the first round of COVID-19 vaccinations must be available to each returning Columbus City Schools employee prior to our students returning to blended learning,” said CEA President John Coneglio. “The news of the discovery of a more infectious variant of COVID-19 here in Ohio on the very same day that a return to blended learning was announced only underscores the need to vaccinate first. Lives are at stake.”

Prior to emergency approval of the current COVID-19 vaccines, CEA negotiated a comprehensive 2020-2021 School Year Memorandum of Understanding with the District which includes specific, contractually enforceable health and safety protocols that must be in place during various models of instruction, including blended learning. CEA’s number one priority throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has been, and will continue to be, the health and safety of our entire school community.

The Columbus Education Association is the Union representing more than 4,000 teachers, librarians, nurses, counselors, psychologists, and other education professionals in Columbus City Schools. The Columbus Education Association is a proud affiliate of the Ohio Education Association and the National Education Association.

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Our Association’s annual elections are fast approaching. The following positions will be filled: Governors for Districts 3 and 6, High School Governor-At-Large, 2020 NEA Local Delegates, 2021 NEA State-At-Large Delegates, and 2021–22 OEA Delegates. Declaration Forms will be available on Monday, Jan. 11, and are due at the CEA office no later than 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 12. Voting will begin on Tuesday, Mar. 9, and will end on Tuesday, Mar. 23. Ballots will be collected and tallied by the Elections Committee on Wednesday, Mar. 24. Contact Brittany Herb, CEA Elections Chair, at (440) 225-2631 with questions.

• Declaration of Candidacy for NEA Delegate
• Declaration of Candidacy for OEA Delegate
• Declaration of Candidacy for CEA Office

COLUMBUS, OH – The Columbus Education Association, the Union representing more than 4,000 teachers, librarians, nurses, counselors, psychologists, and other education professionals in Columbus City Schools, announced today that it has reached a groundbreaking agreement with the district to extend COVID-19 paid leave benefits to all CEA members through March 23, 2021. The Letter of Understanding (LOU) remains in effect regardless of a federal extension of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), which expires on December 31, 2020.

“We have become accustomed to failed leadership from all levels of government throughout this pandemic, so we didn’t want to wait and hope for a legislative extension,” said CEA President John Coneglio. “We applaud Columbus City Schools leadership for this agreement to keep our students, staff, and school community safe by allowing those who are experiencing symptoms, have no childcare, or are subject to quarantine to remain safely at home. We encourage all employers in our city to follow this example.”

In an additional positive development, the district has expressed to CEA its intent to extend the terms of this Letter of Understanding to all eligible CCS employees. Consistent with current agreements and practice, CEA members who are subject to a quarantine order but wish to continue working remotely in lieu of leave will have the option to do so, allowing educators to continue serving students safely.

The Columbus Education Association is the Union representing more than 4,000 teachers, librarians, nurses, counselors, psychologists, and other education professionals in Columbus City Schools. The Columbus Education Association is a proud affiliate of the Ohio Education Association and the National Education Association.

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