The Columbus City School District faces a significant enrollment drop, while simultaneously increasing its number of teachers and administrators. The school board is grappling with the need to cut $50 million from its budget due to a $110 million deficit.
Enrollment Decline Yet Staffing Increase
Since 2015, Columbus City Schools has experienced a loss of over 3,000 students. Despite this decline, the district added approximately 400 teachers and 150 administrators. In the 2014-2015 school year, enrollment stood at 49,836 students. This number has decreased to 46,054 for the 2024-2025 year, representing a 7.8% drop.
- 2014-2015 Enrollment: 49,836
- 2024-2025 Enrollment: 46,054
- Staff Added Since 2015: 400 teachers, 150 administrators
Budget Crisis and Potential Layoffs
The Columbus City Schools Board of Education is positioned to make crucial decisions in December on its fiscal strategy. Among the proposed budgetary adjustments is a reduction of staff, which may involve laying off up to 445 positions, distributed as follows:
- 17% (50 positions) of central office administrators
- 2% (4 positions) of school-based administrators
- 6% (275 positions) of faculty such as teachers, nurses, and counselors
- 3% (116 positions) of classified staff like janitors and bus drivers
Personnel expenses account for over 83% of the district’s budget. If the proposed cuts are implemented, the district could potentially save $50.2 million annually.
Teacher Salaries and Funding
Teacher salaries in Columbus City Schools have risen significantly. In 2014-2015, the average salary was $65,460, but by 2024-2025, it has surged to $88,105, marking a 34.6% increase. Meanwhile, the district spent $13,759 per pupil in 2015, which increased to $24,505 in 2025.
Performance Metrics
Despite high spending per pupil, Columbus City Schools ranks low in performance metrics among large urban districts. It has the fourth-lowest performance score, ranking 13 out of 14 similar-sized districts in terms of budget allocation for classroom instruction, which is at 59.9%.
Feedback from Educators and Experts
Michael Cole, president of CCS board, emphasized the difficult choices ahead regarding personnel. He acknowledged the tension between education quality and budget constraints. Vlad Kogan, a political science professor at Ohio State University, criticized the school district’s strategy of increasing staff while facing enrollment declines.
John Coneglio, representing the Columbus Education Association, noted that contract negotiations have contributed to the rise in contract teachers. He advocates for a more streamlined administration to support teachers effectively.
Layoff Procedures
If layoffs proceed, the district plans to follow its contractual obligations. Initial strategies will include attrition through resignations and retirements, followed by evaluations based on certification and performance. A recent contract provision allows for seniority adjustments, creating a structured approach for layoffs while trying to minimize impacts on school operations.
The district currently has sufficient reserve funds to manage potential layoffs primarily through attrition, which typically sees about 200 teachers resign or retire each year. However, positions originally funded by federal COVID relief may be particularly vulnerable.
