Districts across Ohio are facing times of uncertainty and turmoil when it comes to their budgets, and Columbus City Schools are no exception.? Recently, the district has been faced with a firestorm of questions and criticism for leasing a vacant school building to private school Sonshine Christian Academy.? The school plans to lease a vacant South Linden building that will house approximately 200 students in the fall.
The South Linden Area Commission is concerned and angry with this deal because they believe that it will further exacerbate problems with waning student enrollment in the area. Sonshine Christian Academy responded to this concern, stating that while they are looking to increase enrollment, they are not concentrated on drawing from the South Linden area. They merely want to serve current students better within the new building.
Members of the South Linden Area Commission aren't the only ones displeased with news of the lease. The charter school community is equally frustrated as the district hasn't extended the same hospitality to charter schools.? Currently the district has 17 vacant buildings available.? Time and time again charter schools inquire about them, but they are denied repeatedly. The district claims that their process for determining such cases is fair and treats all applicants equitable. Carole Olshavsky, the district's senior executive in charge of facilities, states: ?We feel both legally and ethically we need to treat everybody the same.? But is this really the case?
Not only are private schools gaining they ability to rent out vacant buildings from the city, they are doing it at a price that charter schools envy.? Sonshine Christian Academy will lease the vacant South Linden building for $2 per square foot or about $5,100 a month.? Andrew Boy, founder and executive director of Fordham-sponsored Columbus Collegiate Academy, wishes that he had that good of a deal.? ?I would be beside myself if I could have a lease that good,? said Boy, whose school pays $7,200 a month in rent to a nearby church?for four classrooms, two offices, and a shared lunchroom.
School districts would gain much and lose little by renting out vacant buildings to charter schools.? It would increase revenue and at the same time improve schools' property values, as charter organizations often personally take on the costs associated with renovating their schools.? It seems to me that school districts that could use the funds, such as Columbus City, would find this an attractive option.
Flypaper readers, we're curious?to know if there are similar situations in your district or state. Is there tension between districts and charters when it comes to buildings and facilities? Or is your district hospitable to charter schools when it comes to classroom space?
- Bianca Speranza, Fordham Columbus intern