COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus City Schools Board of Education member Brandon Simmons issued an apology days after a document was leaked regarding opposition to the district's plan to close and consolidate school buildings.
The document, titled “Taking Control of the Task Force Narrative,” was in connection to the community facilities task force’s recommendations on 20 schools potentially up for closure.
The six-page document outlined driving a wedge between the Columbus Education Association — the union representing over 4,500 teachers and education professionals — and the Columbus School Employees Association.
The document listed methods to put off sharing “bad news” with the public to later meetings if there is other “good” news to share. It also detailed rewarding “good” media outlets with “priority interviews” and “priority seating.”
In his apology on Facebook Thursday, Simmons said he was a contributor to the document and “deeply regret not standing by my values in this process.”
“It was unacceptable not only to be put on paper but also unacceptable to have these thoughts or ideas about our labor partners who are community members and contribute to the education of our students each and every day,” he said in part.
You can read Simmons’ full apology letter in the Facebook post below.
On Tuesday, Simmons said he wasn’t the only one responsible for the document, and that there were multiple meetings with “important stakeholders” where it was discussed.
"It was a collaboration, there was input from many, many different people and ideas from many, many different folks," he said.
Simmons also called out other board members who he said were responsible for leaking the document.
"Board member Jennifer Adair chose to share that document with board member Sarah Ingles who chose to share that document with other folks,” Simmons said.
Ingles posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that she did not have any part in drafting the document. She also said she didn’t know it existed until it was later shared with her.
That was when Ingles said she decided to share the document with others.
“Our work in this district is too important for these kinds of divisive and absurd tactics,” Ingles wrote on X.
Union members and parents demanded answers and transparency and called for Simmons to resign from the board. Simmons said he would not step down.
Board President Christina Vera said the school board will meet on May 29. Members will “consider the investigation of charges or complaints against a public official.”