Title
To recognize and thank Ms. Rhonda Johnson for her exemplary service as Education Director for the City of Columbus
Body
WHEREAS, Ms. Rhonda Johnson was appointed to serve as the first-ever Department of Education Director for the City of Columbus by Mayor Michael B. Coleman in 2014; and
WHEREAS, as Education Director, Ms. Johnson served as a member of the Mayor’s cabinet and an ex-officio member on the Columbus Board of Education, and was tasked with developing education policy and investments in coordination with Columbus City Schools; and
WHEREAS, prior to her service as Education Director, Ms. Johnson began working as a career-tech teacher with Columbus City Schools in 1978, and served as President of the Columbus Education Association from 2004 to 2014, the first woman and first African-American to do so; and
WHEREAS, guided by recommendations from the Columbus Education Commission on which she served, Ms. Johnson was instrumental in the implementation of the Early Start Columbus program which has provided $27 million in financial assistance to more than 4,500 children to attend high quality pre-kindergarten classrooms since its implementation in 2014; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Johnson earned a Master’s Degree in Business Teacher Education from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Teacher Education from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Johnson has fought tirelessly for education reform to better the education and lives of Columbus students and is widely respected for being one of the strongest voices in our community; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council does hereby express its utmost gratitude to Ms. Rhonda Johnson for her service to the City of Columbus upon her retirement.