What parents need to know as Columbus City Schools strike continues
Columbus Education Association members voted to go on strike on Aug. 21 and began picketing outside 20 different locations in the area the following day as more than 4,500 members seek a new contract with Columbus City Schools, the state's largest district.
Columbus city leaders have stressed the CEA and the school district to return to the table and end the work stoppage, the first since 1975 and one that includes teachers, librarians, nurses, counselors, psychologists and other education professionals.
The strike comes as thousands of children are beginning the new school year this week and leaving some parents wondering what happens on Wednesday when students are scheduled to return to the classroom.
Here's what we know about the Columbus City Schools strike and some resources parents may need as the strike continues.
Columbus Education Association strike 'Hey, hey, ho, ho, tax abatements have got to go.' Video from the Columbus picket lines
Columbus City Schools strike'Don't back down until you and students get what you need.' CEA teachers strike reactions
If the Columbus City School strike continues through Wednesday, here's how kids go to class
Most current students are likely familiar with virtual learning after the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.And that knowledge will come in handy if the strike continues through Wednesday.
Should the strike continue on through Wednesday, then the state’s largest district, with more than 47,000 students, plans to start the school year remotely. The district will move to “synchronous and asynchronous remote learning,” and the district’s buildings will be closed to students and community members, according to information on a district webpage.
Columbus City Schools spokesperson Jacqueline Bryant said the district has 600 substitutes who would be given the curriculum to teach remotely.
Columbus City Schools is a "1:1 district," which means students are given a Chromebook for school work. The total number of distributed Chromebooks was unknown as of Monday.
Online learning If Columbus teachers strike continues Wednesday, how will students access online classes?
Do I send my child to school during the Columbus City Schools strike? Here's the truancy policy
Columbus City Schools Board president Jennifer Adair said that while she — as a parent — appreciates the decisions families are making, attendance rules still apply to all students.
According to Ohio Revised Code 3321.191, "habitual truant" is defined as:
Absent 30 or more consecutive hours without legitimate excuse;
Absent 42 or more hours in one school month without legitimate excuse;
Absent 72 or more hours in one school year without legitimate excuse;
A parent or guardian will be notified if a student has excessive absences, which are defined as:
Absent 38 hours or more in one school month with or without legitimate excuse; or
Absent 65 or more hours in one school year with or without legitimate excuse.
Columbus City Schools spokesperson Jacqueline Bryant Bryant said daily attendance check-in times will be "established by the principal at a designated time and all Zooms are recorded." So attendance numbers could vary building-to-building depending on grade-level and the number of Zoom check-in meetings, she said.
What if a student can't stay at home for remote learning? Columbus recreation centers are available
At a press conference Monday where Columbus Mayor Andrew J. Ginther and Franklin County Board of Commissioners President Erica Crawley spoke, the city announced it would create student-support spaces at nine city recreation centers. This is to help students in online schooling that the district is offering, although Ginther cautioned these won't be the same as schools and won't be staffed with teachers.
They are:
Glenwood Community Center, 1888 Fairmont Ave.
Sullivant Gardens Community Center, 755 Renick St. Columbus
Barnett Community Center,1184 Barnett Rd.
Blackburn Community Center, 263 Carpenter St.
Driving Park Community Center, 1100 Rhoads Ave.
Barack Community Center, 580 Woodrow Ave.
Schiller Community Center, 1069 Jaeger St.
Linden Community Center, 1350 Briarwood Ave Columbus
Howard Community Center 2505 N. Cassady Ave.
All nine Community Centers designated to serve students will open daily at 7 a.m. during school days. All other Columbus Community Centers will open at 10 am.
Columbus City School strikeColumbus political leaders urge sides back to table in CCS teachers strike
What's the proposal to stop the CEA strike and return to school?
According to the district, the latest offer proposed by the Columbus City Schools Board of Education includes:
Guaranteed raises of 3% annually for three years
A $2,000 per CEA member retention and recruitment bonus
The teacher salary range for the 2021-22 school year starts at $49,339 and goes up to $107,679, according to Columbus City Schools spokesperson Jacqueline Bryant and the district’s teacher salary schedule.
A 3% raise would increase the pay range to $50,819 to $117,664, and an 8% raise would increase the pay range to $53,286 to $116,293.
“By the end of this three-year contract, a teacher who last school year was paid the district’s average salary of $74,000 will be earning more than $91,000 – a 23% increase from the start of the contract,” Adair said.
Contract proposalsWhat is the latest on Columbus City Schools union contract proposals?
How can Columbus City Schools student get meals?
Should CEA union members still be on strike Wednesday, students can access “grab-and-go” meals at 25 designated school sites across the city. The sites will be open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. beginning Wednesday. Based on the information on the district's website, students will not receive breakfast on Wednesday, the first day of classes.
Locations are:
Beechcroft High School, 6100 Beechcroft Road
Berwick Alternative Pre-K-8, 2655 Scottwood Road
Briggs High School, 2555 Briggs Road
Buckeye Middle School, 2950 Parsons Ave.
Centennial High School, 1441 Bethel Road
Columbus Africentric Early College Pre-K-12, 3223 Allegheny Ave.
Columbus Scioto 6-12, 2951 S. High St.
Columbus North International School/Columbus Global Academy, 4077 Karl Road
Dominion Middle School, 100 E. Arcadia Ave.
Eastmoor Academy, 417 S Weyant Ave.
East High School, 1500 E Broad St.
Independence High School, 5175 Refugee Road
Linden-McKinley STEM Academy, 1320 Duxberry Ave.
Marion-Franklin High School, 1265 Koebel Road
Medina Middle School, 1425 Huy Road
Mifflin High School, 3245 Oak Spring St.
Northland High School, 1919 Northcliff Dr.
Sherwood Middle School, 1400 Shady Lane Road
South High School, 1160 Ann St.
Starling Pre-K-8, 145 S. Central Ave.
Wedgewood Middle School, 3800 Briggs Road
West High School, 179 S. Powell Ave.
Westmoor Middle School, 3001 Valleyview Drive
Whetstone High School, 4405 Scenic Drive
Woodward Park Middle School, 5151 Karl Road
What parents need to know about Columbus City School athletics, extra curriculars
Columbus City Schools have paused athletics and extra curricular activities during the strike. The postponements of games come as nearly 60% of coaches are also teachers or support staff members.
All extra-curricular activities in the district during the CEA’s strike will be “rescheduled, and in some instances, canceled,” according to the district’s website.
Each of the City’s 15 football programs played their Week 1 games between Aug. 18-20. There were to have been seven games involving City teams Aug. 25, two Aug. 26 and two Aug. 27, but those are expected to be postponed or canceled.
Marion-Franklin was scheduled to play host to Delaware Hayes on Aug. 26, but the Pacers now are expected to play St. Charles. The Cardinals were slated to face Beechcroft on Aug. 25.
Columbus City Schools sportsWith 60% of coaches being teachers, Columbus City Schools athletics on hold during strike
Read more news on the Columbus City Schools strike on Dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Columbus City School strike will impact parents. Here's what to know
