Explanation
Background: In December 2012, the Mayor and the President of Columbus City Council created the Columbus Education Commission with the charge to develop specific recommendations that would enable all of our children to succeed in the city's vibrant, growing economy; make Columbus a global leader in developing the highly skilled, creative, entrepreneurial workforce that will propel economic growth in the 21st century; and leverage the resourcefulness of our entire community to meet these goals.
In April 2013, the Commission issued a final report including 55 recommendations to improve the education of children living in the Columbus City School District. In June, the Ohio General Assembly passed enabling legislation which allows for the implementation of three (3) of the Commission's recommendations, including: the creation of an independent auditor to provide oversight of school district operations; the sharing of local property taxes with certain high-performing community schools; and, granting the City of Columbus the authority to sponsor community schools. The Columbus Board of Education has since placed on the November 2013 ballot two (2) ballot issues which if approved would establish a 9.01 mill capital and operating levy, a portion of which could be shared with partnering community schools, and create the position of the independent auditor.
The City of Columbus and Columbus City Schools continue to work together to implement the recommendations of the Columbus Education Commission to ensure that all Columbus City Schools students attend high performing schools. This includes defining and establishing standards for high performing schools. To this end, the City and the Board agree that the best way to develop standards for replicating high performing District schools and partnering community schools, and for City sponsorship of community schools, is to engage the public through a diverse working group of community leaders and encourage a thoughtful, public process. This resolution authorizes the creation of the High Performing Schools Working Group, consisting of fifteen members appointed jointly by the Mayor, City Council, and the Board of Education to develop recommendations to increase the number of high performing schools within the Columbus City Schools District.
Fiscal Impact: n/a
Title
To authorize the creation of the City of Columbus-Columbus City Schools High Performing Schools Working Group to recommend standards for replicating high performing District schools and partnering community schools, and for City sponsorship of community schools.
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus understands that for our city to continue to prosper, our community must provide high quality public education to our children; and
WHEREAS, in December 2012, the Mayor and the President of Columbus City Council created the Columbus Education Commission with the charge to develop specific recommendations that would enable all of our children to succeed in the city's vibrant, growing economy; make Columbus a global leader in developing the highly skilled, creative, entrepreneurial workforce that will propel economic growth in the 21st century; and leverage the resourcefulness of our entire community to meet these goals; and
WHEREAS, in April 2013, the Commission issued a final report including 55 recommendations to improve the education of our children; and
WHEREAS, in June 2013, the Ohio General Assembly passed enabling legislation which allows for the implementation of three (3) of the Commission's recommendations, including: the creation of an independent auditor to provide oversight of school district operations; the sharing of local property taxes with certain high-performing community schools; and, granting the City of Columbus the authority to sponsor community schools; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Board of Education has placed on the November 2013 ballot two (2) ballot issues which if approved would establish a 9.01 mill capital and operating levy, a portion of which could be shared with partnering community schools, and create the position of the independent auditor; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus and the Columbus City Schools agree that the best way to develop standards for replicating high performing District schools and partnering community schools, and for City sponsorship of community schools, is to engage the public through a diverse working group of community leaders and encourage a thoughtful, public process; NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS, OHIO:
Section 1. That in conjunction with the Columbus Board of Education, there is hereby created the High Performing Schools Working Group consisting of 15 members appointed jointly by the Mayor of the City of Columbus, Columbus City Council and the Columbus Board of Education to recommend standards for replicating high performing District schools and partnering community schools, and for City sponsorship of community schools. The working group shall make a final report of recommendations on or before December 31, 2013, and upon issuance of this final report, cease to exist.
Section 2. The City of Columbus and the Columbus Board of Education will consider these recommendations when adopting policies and procedures regarding: the Board's efforts to expand or replicate high performing District schools, and to increase the number of students attending these schools; the Board's efforts to attract, expand or replicate high performing community schools in underserved neighborhoods, and to increase the number of students attending these schools; and the City's efforts to sponsor high performing community schools to meet the neighborhood or career needs of students within the City of Columbus.
Section 3. That this resolution shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.