Columbus (Ohio) board votes to cut jobs, close 4 buildings

The Columbus (Ohio) school board has voted to slash jobs, cut programs and close four buildings in order to patch a $50 million hole in its budget.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that the board voted to close these buildings:

• Duxberry Parks Arts Impact Elementary will be closed and moved to another, unspecified location by the 2027-2028 school year.
• Fairwood Alternative Elementary will close after this school year.
• Como Elementary will close during the 2027-2028 school year
• Columbus Gifted Academy will close during the 2027-2028 school year; the program will be moved to another, unspecified school building

The board also voted to eliminate up to 56 central administration jobs and up to four school-based administrators for the 2026-27 school year. Members also voted to cut $25.9 million in faculty and staff for 2026-27. It is unclear how many positions the figure represents.

Two measures to cancel busing for high school students failed after a contentious debate. 

The discussion around budget cuts comes amid a variety of pressures on the district, including less-than-expected funding from the state, federal funding uncertainty and inflation.