For Immediate Release

COLUMBUS, OH – Two new Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) negotiated between the Columbus Education Association, the Union representing more than 4,000 Columbus City Schools educators, and Columbus City Schools will mean more than 100 new School Counselor and Literacy Specialist positions, educator-driven learning grant opportunities, and other big wins for Columbus students, the Union announced today.

CEA and CCS reached agreement following extensive negotiations over the past several weeks. One new agreement covers next year’s CCS BlendEd blended learning program. The second agreement covers provisions for the 2021-2022 school year including the expenditure of federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds. These funds include substantial grants allocated to the district following the passage of three national COVID-19 relief bills.

“Thanks to the Federal Government’s COVID-19 relief efforts, our District has significant short-term resources to work towards the schools Columbus students deserve,” said John Coneglio, CEA President. “Our Union is proud of these agreements; they represent a milestone in our ongoing fight to ensure that frontline classroom educators are leading the discussion on how best to meet the urgent needs of our students.”

Guaranteed by the new MOUs are the hiring of more than 100 new student support positions for the 2021-2022 school year, including 33 School Counselors and 88 Primary Literacy Specialists, a program for educator-driven grants funded by ESSER to support accelerated student learning, and a new ESSER funds working group to discuss further expenditures including HVAC and other facility upgrades, student technology access, voluntary home visits, and additional newly created positions.

Also included is an important acknowledgement that students, CEA bargaining unit members, and the school community are affected by a history of racism and racial disparity in education and other institutions. CEA and CCS have agreed to jointly seek professional development opportunities which address issues of racial disparity, equity, diversity, and inclusion during the 2021-2022 school year.

CEA will continue to support legislative efforts to pass the proposed statewide Fair School Funding Plan to ensure that these wins for CCS students are sustainable long-term.

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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House Speaker Bob Cupp’s Fair School Funding Plan represents years of work by legislators, local school leaders, and education finance experts to craft meaningful alternatives to the current way Ohio funds education. It seeks to base funding on what students need based on the actual cost of providing a high-quality education, while reducing the need for frequent property tax increases.

The Fair School Funding Plan passed the Ohio House with overwhelming bi-partisan support at the end of 2020, but the Senate failed to consider the bill before the legislative session
ended. Speaker Cupp has re-introduced the Fair School Funding Plan as House Bill 1 this session, marking its place as his top priority.

The future of this critical bill lies in the hands of your State Senator. Go to https://bit.ly/3budiQO to send a letter and urge legislators to fix school funding now!

For Immediate Release

COLUMBUS, OH – The Columbus Education Association, the Union representing more than 4,000 Columbus City Schools educators, called today on controversial CCS Board Member James Ragland to resign following an inappropriate and misogynistic social media post on International Women’s Day. On his Facebook page, Mr. Ragland posted a photo (now removed) with the text “Nice Girls Don’t Stay For Breakfast” to which he added the caption “Happy Women’s Day! Govern Yourselves Accordingly.”

“It’s bad enough that Mr. Ragland has a paid position advocating with Betsy DeVos for funneling our students’ resources to charter and voucher schools,” said CEA President John Coneglio. “Now, Mr. Ragland has added insult to injury with a fundamental disrespect for the core values of Columbus City Schools. Our 50,000 students deserve board members who lead by example. Three-quarters of CEA members are women. Our Superintendent is a woman. By disrespecting and dehumanizing these leaders on a day set aside for honoring them, Mr. Ragland has demonstrated he is unfit to serve. He must resign immediately.”

CEA will continue its active role in supporting School Board candidates who demonstrate a commitment to the schools that Columbus Students Deserve.

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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