Jason Harris

This strategic plan for Columbus Public Schools aims to mobilize all learners for success by focusing on four key priorities. It seeks to elevate student achievement through individualized learning opportunities and robust support systems, ensure safe and expanding campuses that meet community growth needs, foster a culture of collective responsibility and highlight community potential through staff development and engagement, and strengthen school and community partnerships to build unity, promote inclusivity, and energize the community.

This document details Columbus Public Schools' strategic goals across four key areas: unlocking student potential with individualized learning and support systems; inspiring a culture of collective responsibility and community engagement through staff development; fostering unity, inclusivity, and outreach; and providing safe, welcoming, and flexible learning environments through security and facility improvements. It highlights the district's progress and initiatives related to these strategic objectives, including specific programs approved through the 2026-2027 school year.

Columbus Public Schools' strategic direction, encapsulated by the motto "Engaging All Learners To Achieve Success," focuses on four key priorities. These include developing programming for individualized learning to unlock student potential, providing safe and inviting campuses that address community needs, investing in staff development and retention to foster collective responsibility, and dedicated engagement with school and community partners to build relationships and foster unity. The plan outlines focused visions for each priority, with initiatives and programs extending through the 2026-2027 school year.

Columbus Public Schools is addressing growth by seeking a bond issue to build a grades four-five intermediate building. They reviewed potential options based on bond issues from November 2023 and May 2024, met with a developer in September 2024, and conducted community meetings and focus groups to gather input. An updated enrollment study was done, and projects were taken to the board of education in May 2025. A traffic study was conducted by Benish, and consultants were hired for project guidance. The board called a bond question for $43.6 million on September 8th to build and equip the intermediate school. The district is facing growth with 1,800 or more doors being built between now and 2029, with the first development showing people in homes by fall 2026. The district is also working on cost-effective solutions.

The Columbus Public Schools board meeting addressed bond projects, focusing on safety and security enhancements, cafeteria improvements, and elementary gymnasium upgrades. Priorities were determined through community meetings, emphasizing controlled access, additional cameras, and creating dedicated cafeteria spaces to avoid using gymnasiums for meals. The discussion also covered addressing overcrowding in the middle school cafeteria and ensuring equitable facilities across all elementary schools.