For Immediate Release
Contact: John Coneglio, CEA President
(614) 253-4731
CEA Announces Week One of Escalating Actions Over District Healthcare Crisis
COLUMBUS, OH — September 21, 2026 — The Columbus Education Association (CEA) is announcing three public actions during the first week of escalating activities concerning the impending healthcare crisis facing Columbus City Schools employees.
The actions are intended to educate the public about the severity of the situation, highlight the Columbus School Boards role in the current crisis, and call on Columbus City Schools to work with staff toward a fair and sustainable solution.
CEA is calling on the Columbus City Schools Board of Education to:
- Take legal action against Aon and pursue the recovery of taxpayer dollars that should have been used for student education and quality, affordable healthcare for District employees.
- Implement industry-standard practices for auditing and monitoring healthcare costs and expenditures. CEA is calling on the Board to take responsibility for its failed oversight of the vendors it hired, establish stronger transparency standards, and ensure that the Joint Insurance Committees are kept informed of significant issues as they become known.
- Work collaboratively with District employees to keep its promise and resolve the crisis. CEA is calling for a solution that shares increased costs between employees and the District while protecting the healthcare benefits that employees have earned.
The week’s actions have been specifically designed to include visual demonstrations, clear statements of fact, and other elements intended to help members of the news media understand and report on the healthcare crisis and its potential impact on District employees.
WEEK ONE CEA ACTIONS
1. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2026
Franklin County Democratic Party Central Committee Action
6:15–6:45 p.m.
UFCW Local 1059
4150 E. Main Street
CEA members will attend the Franklin County Democratic Party Central Committee meeting to hear remarks from CEA representatives and communicate the Association’s expectations regarding support for teachers, students, public education, and unions.
CEA members will also discuss the healthcare crisis and the Association’s position that elected officials and political organizations should support public education, students, and school employees.
2. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2026
“RETURN TO SENDER” PRESS ACTION
5:00–5:20 p.m.
Columbus City Schools Headquarters
270 E. State Street
CEA will hold a brief press action featuring a giant “Return to Sender” invoice.
The action will highlight the healthcare crisis, the District’s audit findings, and the catastrophic impact of proposed healthcare surcharges and benefit changes on District employees.
CEA will use the action to illustrate what the Association believes would be the financial impact of the District’s current healthcare proposals on the employees who serve Columbus students and families.
3. THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2026
RED FOR ED
Teachers and other CEA members from across the District will participate in coordinated Red for Ed actions at their buildings.
Members will gather and/or walk in or out of their buildings together to demonstrate their concerns about the healthcare crisis and to call on the Board to honor its commitment to working collaboratively with District employees toward a resolution.
The Columbus Education Association is the union representing nearly 4,500 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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