Read the leak: What to know about the document at the center of a Columbus schools scandal
A leaked document associated with a Columbus City Schools board member is now at the center of a controversy as the district looks to close as many as 20 schools.
Board President Christina Vera said in a statement before a Tuesday meeting that Brandon Simmons' proposed document was done independently of the board and does not reflect the board's position.
Simmons said in two abrupt and back-to-back press conferences that he collaborated with board members and others on the document, and that there are multiple other versions of the document. He did not provide evidence for his claims Tuesday.
More: Who is Brandon Simmons? What to know about CCS board member at center of leak scandal
Here's what to know about the leaked strategy document:
Read the document
CCS Strategy Document by behrenscole3 on Scribd
Strategies included exploiting 'racial dynamics,' prioritizing friendly media
More: CCS teachers union wants board member's resignation and closure plan scrapped over memo
Among the strategies that Simmons proposed in the document include plans to:
"Drive a wedge" between the district's two unions by holding a hearing on the "disrespect of classified employees by 'other employees,'" and to not ignore "racial dynamics."
“Reward good media outlets” with “priority seating or camera location” and “priority interviews."
"Bring in loud mechanical equipment if (the unions) hold a press conference on our land”
"Change the (meeting) location last minute"
'We are not choosing to go to war'
The document also describes the Columbus Education Association in terms of a "war," and frames the school closure as a "fight," and the union as "opponents."
"CEA has already attacked CCS," the document reads. "We will not get stronger unless our opponents get weaker."
The letter from John Coneglio, president of the union representing teachers and other educators, called for Simmons to immediately resign, and said the recommendations of the facility task force for closing schools must not be accepted.
Coneglio resigned as a member of the task force last month before its report was presented to the board because he said it was clear the intent of the group was "mass closures of neighborhood schools," The Dispatch previously reported.
"This plan is abhorrent, vile, corrupt, and beneath the dignity of public officials entrusted with the safety and well-being of nearly 50,000 students, and the trust of our community," Coneglio said in the Tuesday letter, which was also signed by Izetta Thomas, representing the Columbus Education Justice Coalition.
'Take control of our House'
The document also appears to refer to the board room at 3700 S. High St. as "our House," and suggests members "take control" during contentious meetings by speaking with "one voice," and moving "less than positive" news to other board meetings.
"When outside organizations and individuals lie about us in our own House we must counter it every time," the document reads. "No more polite statements."
Document compares union opposition to closures to strike
The document also said that the "CEA was walking the board down the same road as the strike," referring to the 2022 CEA strike that lasted three days. The document refers to the strike "playbook" as misinforming the public, accusing CCS of wrongdoing and poisoning the process so no changes are made.
"Our opponents are working to soil the process," the document reads.
The 2022 contract agreement, approved by the CEA the weekend following the strike, included pay raises (guaranteed 4% annual increases for three years among other concessions), smaller class sizes in grades K-5, and guarantees that all 112 of its schools would have air conditioning by the 2025-26 school year.
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Cbehrens@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: What the document at the center of a Columbus schools scandal says
