COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — A bill moving through the Ohio Statehouse could force Columbus City Schools to make immediate decisions about closing and selling underused school buildings, including Johnson Park Middle School on the city’s east side.
“There is urgency now. And we will have to make hard decisions,” said Dr. Antoinette Miranda, a Columbus City Schools board member. “We’ve understood that we have too many buildings. We have kicked the can down the road without a doubt.”
In December, the CCS board voted unanimously to demolish Broadleigh Elementary, Buckeye Middle School, Moler Elementary and the McGuffey Road school building housing Columbus Alternative High School after the buildings close. The board also voted to close four additional school buildings to help slash $50 million from its budget: Duxberry Parks Arts Impact Elementary School, Fairwood Alternative Elementary School, Como Elementary School and Columbus Gifted Academy…