Community Facilities Task Force
UPDATED!!
This very special edition newsletter gives you the information you need to get involved with the Superintendent's Community Facilities Task Force and have your voice heard!!
The Northtowne administration and staff strongly encourage our Northtowne families to attend at least one of the meetings listed below. Two virtual sessions and a phone-in "town hall" are included, so that you can even participate from the comfort of your own home. Attending the sessions helps you to be informed about changes and decisions being made in the school district that could impact your student(s). In addition to you getting information, the school district is using these meetings to ask for your thoughts about the proposed changes and if you would be in support of them or not. This is your chance to ask questions and have them answered.
If you have not yet heard, Northtowne Elementary is one of the buildings listed as being considered for possible closure in the future. We do not know the details about how quickly any changes will be made except that we do not expect implementation of changes for next school year. To be clear, Northtowne will be here for the 2024-25 school year. We also do not know where the Northtowne student body would be assigned to attend school if Northtowne were to close. One great question everyone could be asking is, "How soon does the District expect to begin closing buildings if they decide to act on any of the Community Facilities Task Force recommendations?" Another great question is, "Where would my Northtowne student attend if Northtowne was closed?" No matter what questions you have or what comments you make, your voice and presence at the meetings matters. Please attend.
Attend a Community Discussion or Information Event
May 29, 20024
- 11:30 a.m. Virtual Session
May 30, 2024
- 9:30 a.m. at Schiller Park Recreation Center (1069 Jaeger St.)
- 9:30 a.m. at Bottoms Up Coffee Cafe (1069 W. Broad St.)
- 5:30 p.m. at Community Refugee & Immigration Services (C.R.I.S.) (4645 Executive Dr.)
- 5:30 p.m. at Columbus Education Center (270 E. State St., Assembly Room)
- 11:00 a.m. - Radio One Town Hall (listen and ask questions live on Power 107.5/106.3 and Magic 95.5.)
June 4, 2024
- 9:30 a.m. - Community Grounds Cafe (1134 Parsons Ave.)
June 5, 2024
- 9:30 a.m. - Barnett Recreation Center Gymnasium (1184 Barnett Rd.)
- 5:30 p.m. - Whetstone High School (4405 Scenic Dr.)
- 11:30 a.m. Virtual Session
- 5:30 p.m. - Briggs High School Auditorium (2555 Briggs Rd.)
- 5:30 p.m. - Olde Orchard Elementary School (800 McNaughten Ave.)
Each session is open to any caregiver, staff member, or community member who wishes to attend. The sessions happening the closest to our Northtowne neighborhood are:
May 30, 2024
- 5:30 p.m. at Community Refugee & Immigration Services (C.R.I.S.) (4645 Executive Dr.)
June 5, 2024
- 5:30 p.m. - Whetstone High School (4405 Scenic Dr.)
How to Participate in Virtual Events and the Town Hall
- Register for the May 29, 2024 Virtual Session here: https://ccsoh-us.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwoc-uvpzIsGddPn3p4F7jA7jSaXQ4laikI?_x_zm_rtaid=BSnjzBuuTUeqNFg7Z0wEIw.1717071574455.775df47cd733f338f6dab26fe16c6d85&_x_zm_rhtaid=868#/registration
- Register for the June 6, 2024 Virtual Session here: https://ccsoh-us.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAuf-yhqTgtG9xvO7_GnBxQoL4jGxNUsIdT#/registration
- For the June 1, 2024 Town Hall, listen to the radio on stations FM 107.5/106.3 or FM 95.5 follow the on-air instructions to call in.
Prepare Yourself for Meetings
Prepare for the meetings by reviewing the proposals made so far. Also be aware that soon there will be additional recommendations for closing and consolidating District administrative buildings. The Superintendent's Community Facilities Task Force is currently considering what recommendations they will make regarding the use and usefulness of the many administrative buildings.
The Superintendent's Brief Message
One More Way to Have Your Voice Heard
If you are unable to attend any of the sessions list above, you can still have your voice heard. Send an email to the Superintendent and to the members of the School Board. Explain your thoughts and ask any questions. Even if you attend a meeting you can also send an email message to the Superintendent and School Board. Usually at least two, and often more, School Board members will acknowledge email messages sent from caregivers. Be sure to identify that you are a parent of a Northtowne student!
Names and email address are:
Angela Chapman - superintendent@columbus.k12.oh.us
Christina Vera - cvera@columbus.k12.oh.us
Dr. Tina Pierce - tpierce@columbus.k12.oh.us
Jennifer Adair - jadair1@columbus.k12.oh.us
Michael Cole - mcole@columbus.k12.oh.us
Sarah Ingles - singles@columbus.k12.oh.us
Ramona Reyes - rreyes@columbus.k12.oh.us
Brandon Simmons - bsimmons@columbus.k12.oh.us