Let's Fix the Schools
The Columbus City School Board needs change now
The Columbus City School Board is in disarray, and it has been for a long time.
Brandon Simmons, a young, unqualified, and woefully incompetent member has tanked the board with a bizarre, probably illegal, and astounding series of inept events.
As The Rooster covered in-depth it is very clear that a lot of the board is, in fact, the problem. We can, and should, work to fix that.
The School Board is a notoriously thankless job, an old boss of mine said that if you want to get your start in politics, you should start literally anywhere else. Parents hate you, teachers hate you, administrators hate you, it really is the worst of all worlds.
With that in mind, when a qualified, competent, and incredibly bright friend of mine launched his campaign I almost texted him calling him an idiot.
I didn’t, because he is exactly the type of leader that this city needs. To move on from the Simmons fiasco and the years of terrible board mismanagement we need fresh voices that aren’t from the same cocktail party circuit.
I listened intently to the candidate forums, and I saw exactly what I wanted to see. My friend, Mounir Lynch, is a fighter with the will to lead and help turn the district around.
Him and his team were kind enough to partake in the first candidate interview in Belldumber history. The unabridged interview is below, along with some extra thoughts.
1. What inspired you to run for school board?
In many ways, my inspiration for running for school board comes from my time as a student in CCS, and my years of experience teaching in CCS schools. When I was a teenager, I went to board meetings to advocate for safer facilities for my teachers, support staff, and classmates, and for equitable resource distribution among schools in the district. The advocacy of myself and my peers for our schools came to no avail, and the systems continued to fail us. As an educator, I heard personal testimonials, including on the picket line, about how the board has left teachers, staff, and students behind. Now, as public schools are facing existential threats from the state and federal government, it is time that a fresh perspective is offered to champion our public schools and lead through a period of uncertainty, while also steadfastly focused on student success and outcomes.
2. What will you bring to the board different from what they already have?
As a public health professional, I bring personal experience and expertise in systems that overlap with education, but work within a different framework from how the district has been operating. I bring experience as a community organizer and classroom educator, and plan on bringing a fresh, younger perspective that also comes with education, experience, and understanding of the board's role in our community. I have roots that are deeply planted across disciplines and neighborhoods that I believe the board has not engaged with throughout recent history.
3. What would you say to a detractor saying you're 'too young' or 'inexperienced?
This is a question I face pretty often. I like to remind people that Sherrod Brown was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives at the age of 23 and served over 10 years in that position before becoming the household name and progressive champion he is now regarded as. Youth is not a weakness, especially in a school board role. Further, I do have education and experience that qualifies me for this position. I have worked in the classroom, engaged with students, planned curriculum, navigated public health and sexual health education programming through funding challenges and losses. I know what it means to work collaboratively and creatively to address systemic challenges. Most importantly, I have connections and shared experiences with people that are under attack. I am a graduate of CCS, a Muslim-American, and a member of the LGBTQ+ community. These lived experiences inform much of my policy and worldview.
4. How will you handle the school closure issue?
This is a complex issue, and tough decisions have to be made in large school districts like ours. This may include closing schools. However, these decisions must not be made without proper community engagement, right? For example, when a nearby elementary school was slated for closure, the district held a community feedback session at my neighborhood library, the Shepard Library, on a weekday morning. How many staff, students, and families can attend that meeting and provide their feedback? When schools close, neighborhoods lose a pillar of their community. Schools are not just the buildings we learn in, they are a resource for job training, English language learning, healthcare, recreation, and more. In a district that is already under-resourced, we must make sure that these decisions are made with proper engagement from not just families, but the staff that work in these buildings. I would ensure that we are doing proper, data-driven investigation in to the possibilities of school closure or consolidation, and making sure that we consider every factor behind a school closure, including
5. Do you support Jake Diebler staying as Ohio State Men's Basketball Coach? What's your favorite moment from Ohio State Football's playoff run?
Look, I am not impressed by AD Bjork, and Bjork wants to give Diebler the benefit of the doubt. This makes me cautious to begin with. At the time of me answering this question, Diebler was given the job full time, and so we will just have to see how that plays out. However I'm a Cincinnati Bearcat (undergrad at least), and my concern from a MBB perspective is the fact that our *basketball school* hasn't been able to put together a decent basketball team in years.
My favorite moment from Ohio State's playoff run was Sawyer returning a fumble 83 yards to the house against Texas. I live for the satisfaction of crushing any southern team and proving ourselves worthy. Although I would assume Sawyer and I do not get along politically at all, it was still a pretty big moment for us and pretty exciting. We have no excuse to lose to Michigan again any time soon.
How’s that for an interview? I particularly enjoyed his answers about school closures, classroom educator experience, and Jack Sawyer.
If it isn’t evident I am giving Mounir my full and complete endorsement.
I was extremely disappointed when the Franklin County Democratic Party endorsed in this race, of which there are 3 open seats, while not endorsing in the open City Council race. The FCDP endorsements helped get us into this mess, I think it’s only fair that outsiders help get us out of it.
If any other candidates see this you’re more than welcome to reach out to me on social media for your own interview, of which I will evaluate for endorsement in a fair process and will also publish your own interviews.
A full Belldumber Sample Ballot will arrive before election day.