Yes, I admit that on Oct 21 I drove to the downtown Main Library for a debate with five of the six candidates for Columbus City Schools. And, no; I haven’t been this disappointed since seeing Star Wars ATTACK OF THE CLONES at the movies.

Like you, I also love the Columbus Dispatch.

Unfortunately, the questions that they chose for the candidates reminded me more of middle school student government. On behalf of Western Civilization, I beg forgiveness to the candidates who wasted their time.

Normally the phrase used is that there is an “Elephant in the Room,” but since half of the candidates have been “Officially Endorsed” by the Franklin County Democratic Party it has to be a donkey. Their three candidates represent the STATUS QUO of COLUMBUS; swimming in thousands of dollars in donations from big business and a guaranteed spot on the MAGICAL “Sample Ballot” that will be forced into your hands if you choose to vote.

The important questions that were IGNORED?

1. Property tax abatements (avoidance) by Columbus businesses and how it is destroying Columbus public education. Forget the state cutting millions of dollars; our own CITY COUNCIL DOES THE SAME THING.
2. How the Democrats on City Council won’t stop selling off our future because they love their campaign donations (Remember the GOLDEN RULE: “Democrats NEVER criticize other Democrats”).
3. Why hundreds of additional administrators were added to the CCS Central Office using Covid-19 grant money; and now those jobs are MORE IMPORTANT than student success. ALL OF THE CUTS to the CCS budget are centered on student transportation; which will only INCREASE the CHRONIC ABSENTEE RATE.

If we keep voting for the STATUS QUO, we’re going to keep getting what we have: a two-star city school system without a plan for the future. Expect MORE FROM YOUR TAX DOLLARS.

Stop shooting yourself in the foot by voting for all of the “Endorsed Candidates.” MAKE A BETTER DECISION. Vote for somebody who isn’t controlled by the City Council, Columbus businesses, or a DONKEY IN THE ROOM.