Columbus (Ohio) district holds public meetings to explain closing plans

From The Columbus Dispatch: It has become a familiar gathering over the past several years: Columbus (Ohio) school district officials explaining to parents, students and teachers why their school is closing. Around 400 people gathered at East High School to hear why the district might shut the doors of four more elementary schools and five more middle schools by the end of this school year.

EARLIER...from The Columbus Dispatch: Trying to avoid the exodus of students that followed the last major round of school closings, Columbus (Ohio) school officials say they will try to soften the immediate impact of a massive school-rezoning plan. Students likely will be grandfathered into the school they now attend, even if the new plan assigns them to another school. Nearly 3,500 students left the district after 12 schools were closed in 2006.

OCTOBER 2009...from The Columbus Dispatch: Seven elementary schools and 10 middle schools are on a list of public schools in Columbus, Ohio, that could be closed. At least six will be shut at the end of this school year to make good on a promise the Columbus school board made during its 2008 levy campaign. The list will narrow again next week when a committee meets to discuss the merits of each school on the list.