The Columbus Education Union (CEA) already has
enough weirdo enemies in the Ohio GOP and
conservatives in general. They hate public school
teachers, and their list of unwarranted grievances
and jealousies is long and disturbing – teachers have
summers off, they are desperate to privatize
education for profit, and public-school teachers’

unions are a key base of support for the Democratic
Party.
But now the leaked planning document scandal
looking to marginalize any CEA pushback against
possible school closures has exposed the Columbus
City Schools board as a new/old adversary, say CEA
union stewards and members to the Free Press.
“The simple fact of the matter is that we (CEA) hit
national news with the strike, and through the power
of that and collective bargaining, we won one of the
best and strongest contracts in the nation,” said a
CEA union steward to the Free Press who wished to
remain anonymous.
Indeed, the CEA strike at the beginning of the 2022
school year was a historical victory for its roughly
4,500 members. It won basic necessities for teachers
and students, such as air conditioning in nearly every
school, smaller class sizes, and paid family leave.
The strike also boosted teachers’ pay, which was
warranted, because the Free Press, which has many
friends and family in the union, can attest. Not many

workers in Columbus are more dedicated, more
passionate, or more caring about their jobs than
Columbus City School teachers. If you have any
doubts, go hang out with them. The conversation
will always lead to them talking about their job and
how they want the best for their students.
What the CEA and many others always knew was
that board member Brandon Simmons wasn’t the
only member who planned and wrote the doc, which
for example, laughably called for heavy machinery
to be up-and-running near any CEA public outcry
against school closings.
“The fact that only one board member went down
for it at first was suspect, now we have proof that
there’s more to it,” said a CEA member. “The board
members involved should resign. I am personally
disappointed in Dr. Pierce. She’s always seemed to
genuinely champion the cause of students and
teachers.”
Board Vice President Dr. Tina Pierce is heard on
taped conversation with Simmons that blame for the

leaked document should fall on board member Sarah
Ingles who leaked it to local media.
“I think she (Sarah Ingles) did it out of ethical
obligation,” said another CEA member. “I think
Ingles’ actions in leaking the documents speaks to
her integrity.”
And that’s what the CEA is so desperate for after the
board embarrassed itself – integrity in its members
and those who are truly interested in bettering
Columbus City Schools. Those looking to jumpstart
a political career are not welcomed. Keep in mind
much maligned Mayor Andy Ginther was first a
Columbus School Board member.
One lingering question is, what role, if any, did
Columbus School Superintendent Angela Chapman
play in the planning document?
“Unknown,” said the CEA union steward. “There’s
nothing she can do because she reports to the board.
She is doing the right thing by trying to distance
herself.”

And for those who wholeheartedly support good
unions with good intentions for its members, such as
the Free Press, was the planning doc retaliation for
the 2022 strike?
While difficult to prove, that would violate federal
law as stated by the National Labor Relations Board.