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n 11.02.2010 Follow us on ... 
| | School building lease opportunities offer collaboration with charter, private and other education organizations – All in the best interests of Columbus City Schools students, families and staff in support of our mission 8 Click here to view this letter posted on our website.
Clarity is needed around the Columbus City Schools' (CCS) policies and practices concerning building leases to charter and private schools, following the Dispatch's October 26, 2010 publication of "Refusal to work with charter schools harms kids." District protocol for leasing vacant school buildings is based on policy passed by the Columbus Board of Education with community input in 2004. The district's Shared Facilities policy lists several criteria to be considered in determining the best use of our buildings, including:
- Supports the CCS mission and/or goals
- Fills an unmet or under met need in the community; and /or
- Provides a potential benefit to Columbus students.
Additionally, I have a fiscal responsibility directed by the Board to maximize district assets and operational efficiency. Any decision toward leasing a vacant building is carefully considered, taking into account our mission, the Board's Shared Facilities policy, and my direction from the Board to maximize district assets.
I don't think given my track record of innovation and fiscal stewardship that one can easily reason that the district is averse to working with or leasing to high-performing educational programs, charter schools or non-public schools. Fifty percent of the students attending the successful Metro High School are from Columbus City Schools. Currently, 10 former district schools are leased to high-performing charter and private schools and programs. Three are leased to charter schools and three to private schools. Of the remaining four buildings, two are leased to organizations that operate programs directly benefiting district children, and two are leased to education related organizations for their administrative operations.
Below is a brief summary of current leases:
- Brentnell is leased to the Charles High School, a charter school affiliated with the Graham Middle & High School.
- Gladstone is leased to the Sonshine Christian Academy, a private PK-8 school.
- Glenmont is leased to the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio for office use in programs that support special needs.
- Kent is partially leased to the Chabad House, a faith based organization that is operating the Lifetown program for special needs students out of the building until their new facility is complete.
- Linden Park is leased to the KIPP School, a charter school serving grades 5-7.
- Linmoor Annex is leased to the Academic Acceleration Academy (AAA), a district-sponsored charter high school.
- Medary is leased to the Helping Hands Center for Special Needs, a private school for autistic children age 3 and older.
- Second Avenue is leased to Junior Achievement of Central Ohio (JA) for their administrative headquarters and Biztown. Annual rent is reduced by tuition credits earned by JA for every CCS student who attends a program at the building. If the programs are fully utilized, JA has the potential to offset all rent expense.
- Trades & Industry is leased to the Child Development Council of Franklin County (CDC) for their HeadStart administrative offices.
- Walden is leased to the Marburn Academy, a private school for students in grades K-12 with special needs
Total annual rent is $392,168 and estimated annual savings on utility expenses is $411,000 resulting in a net positive impact to the district's General Revenue Fund of $800,000 per year, money that goes to supporting the classroom.
The district has recently received six proposals to lease vacant buildings, one each for the former Clinton middle and Douglas elementary schools and four for the Fifth Avenue building. Proposals being considered for negotiations include New Media Middle School for Douglas, Brightway Institute for Clinton and GrooveU for Fifth. These leases are estimated to generate annual rental income of $516,000 and utility savings of $237,000, resulting in an additional net positive impact of $753,000.
District staff continues to solicit proposals for the 12 remaining buildings available for lease/sale. Those organizations not selected for Fifth Avenue have been invited to transfer their original proposals to any of these buildings for consideration.
Perspective is necessary when looking at the entire landscape of opportunities for collaboration with charter and private schools and education organizations. I will continue to be discerning with regard to my responsibilities as Superintendent as defined by the Board of Education. I will make certain that decisions made on my watch take into account the best interests of Columbus City Schools students, families and staff in support of our mission.
Sincerely,
Gene T. Harris, Ph.D.
Superintendent /CEO
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| Columbus City Schools | 270 East State Street | Columbus, Ohio 43215 | (614) 365-5000 |
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