COLUMBUS, Ohio – May 23, 2022 – The Columbus Education Association, the Union representing nearly 4,500 educators in Columbus City Schools, issued the following statement today in response to the Columbus City Schools Board of Education decision to place a 4.7 mill permanent improvement levy and a $680 million bond on the November ballot:
Columbus students deserve, and desperately need, new school buildings. The question is, who should pay for them? The same year Columbus City Schools lost a record 51 million dollars to tax abatements for wealthy developers and corporations, working families are now being asked to approve a 13% increase in their property taxes. Mayor Ginther, City Council, and the Columbus Partnership continue to allow Pizzuti, Thrive, and Kauffman, and other beneficiaries of big tax breaks to pad their profits while washing their hands of responsibility for funding our schools. In fact, the value of tax abatements draining our District budget has risen over 300% since 2014, according to data from the Franklin County Auditor.
The newest motto from city leaders is “Live Forward”, a marketing campaign that claims to have its roots in “Columbus’ strengths as a forward-thinking city that’s full of opportunity, a place where thinkers and dreamers are supported by a progressive DNA that allows individuals to thrive in their own ways.” If we’re going to be a city that truly support thinkers and dreamers, our students need more than marketing. We call upon our Board of Education to join us in calling for the wealthiest amongst us to pay their fair share.
With negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement underway, members of the Columbus Education Association are fighting for the schools Columbus students deserve- safe, properly maintained, fully resourced schools in every neighborhood. The CEA-CCS Master Agreement expires in August. For the latest information on negotiations follow CEA on social media:
Facebook: facebook.com/ColumbusEA
Twitter: twitter.com/ColumbusEA
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.