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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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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COLUMBUS, OH – The Columbus Education Association was devastated to learn last week that CCS graduate Casey Goodson, Jr. was shot and killed by law enforcement on December 4, 2020 while entering his grandmother’s home.

Casey’s sixth grade math teacher Malissa Thomas-St. Clair, a veteran CCS teacher and CEA member at Champion Middle School, reflected on the close relationship she maintained with her former student in a now-viral Facebook post. Thomas-St. Clair says Goodson Jr. reached out to reconnect after she lost her own son to violence in 2013: “Casey was my refuel at a time I wanted to throw in the towel.  He was my reason to keep pouring my soul into my current students.  He became my constant motivation when the frustrations would outweigh the purpose.  Casey did not know each time he randomly checked on me, he was the lighter that would relight my candle of passion when the career barriers seemed to be too much.”

On Thursday, Thomas-St. Clair addressed the CEA Board of Governors to share her story as well as her work with the non-profit she founded, Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children, which advocates for families who are victims of violence in our community. Following Thomas St. Clair’s address, the Union’s Board of Governors voted unanimously to make a two-thousand dollar donation to the organization in memory of Casey Goodson, Jr.

“This summer our Union marched with our community to reaffirm that Black Lives Matter,” said CEA President John Coneglio. “The killing of another young man of color by law enforcement, a CCS graduate, underscores how much work is yet to be done. We cannot be silent; Casey Goodson, Jr. deserves justice. CEA calls for a full and transparent investigation into his death and for the structural changes necessary for our students and members of color to feel safe in their own 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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