Meet the candidates for Columbus City Schools' board

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- On Tuesday, Columbus residents will select three new Columbus City Schools board members to lead after $50 million in budget cuts.

All three Columbus City Schools board members whose terms expire this year are not seeking reelection, so former board president Christina Vera, current board president Michael Cole and board member Ramona Reyes will all leave the board after this year. Voters will choose among six candidates, three of whom are running jointly.

Whoever is elected has a big undertaking ahead. The Board of Education is considering $50 million cuts, including possible closures of additional school buildings and sweeping transportation changes. Although the board will vote on changes before new members are sworn in in January, new board members may have to look at further cuts and handle the results of the current board's decisions. See previous coverage of cuts in the video player above.

Even before major budget cuts, the district faced uncertainty on the board. Community members were heavily critical of school closures, with board members considering 10 closures and finalizing five. The state of Ohio also pursued legal action against the district over busing changes for private school students.

Below are the candidates hoping to join the board, many of whom are campaigning to improve relationships between the board and the community.

Janeece Keyes

Keyes is the director of provider experience for Ohio’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and the mother of four district graduates. She is endorsed by the Columbus Education Association, CCS’ teachers’ union. She also boasts endorsements from the Matriots PAC and The Columbus Dispatch. Keyes received 7.17% of the vote in the primary.

Keyes is campaigning for more community involvement, including increased support for parents and teachers. She envisions more professional development and recognition to reinvest in educators. She also suggests providing workshops for parents and increased opportunities for parental involvement.

Mounir Lynch

Lynch is a product of CCS and said he has taught in “nearly every CCS middle and high school” during his role as health educator for Planned Parenthood. His endorsements include former employer Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, Asian American Midwest Progressives and Moms Demand Action Gun Sense, along with two individual state legislators. Lynch received 7.58% of the vote in the primary.

Lynch attributed “many of the current school board’s failures” to a lack of community feedback and participation in key district issues. He said he wants to create a districtwide teacher and parent advisory board to help the board’s decision making. He also wants to expand arts programs and prioritize equity for all demographics of students. Lynch is also campaigning to stand with district unions, increase wages and reduce class sizes to support teachers and staff.

Kimberly Mason

Mason is a former PTO president and a higher education partnership manager with the Ohio Bankers League. She is endorsed by the Matriots PAC and Forward Ohio. Mason received 7.1% of the vote in the primary.

Mason is campaigning for stronger workforce development for students, hoping students will graduate with a clearer career path. She is also campaigning to end “corporate handouts” like tax breaks that she believes drain resources away from schools and communities. Mason also wants to make the board more transparent and increase partnerships with families, teachers and community groups.

Columbus Education PAC

Patrick Katzenmeyer, Jermaine Kennedy and Antionette Miranda are running jointly under the Columbus Education PAC, although voters can vote for individual candidates. The PAC is endorsed by the Franklin County Democratic Party, the Central Ohio Labor Council, the Equity Now Coalition and OAPSE/AFSCME, Ohio’s public school employees union. 

Patrick Katzenmeyer: Katzenmeyer is a CCS parent and a public project planner. His interest in the board stemmed from a potential school closure in his neighborhood, and he said he is prioritizing planning, parent voices and transparency. He is one of two PAC members endorsed by the district teachers’ union, the Columbus Education Association. Katzenmeyer received 19.12% of the vote in the primary.

Jermaine Kennedy: Kennedy worked as a teacher and principal, and now serves as chief program officer at the Boys & Girls Club. A CCS parent, he wants to fight for families and for equity among students. Kennedy received 18.44% of the vote in the primary.

Antionette Miranda: Miranda is a nationally recognized school psychologist and Ohio State professor who formerly served on the state school board. She said she wants to ensure all students in Columbus get an equitable education. Miranda is the second PAC member endorsed by the CCS teachers’ union, the Columbus Education Association. Miranda received 21.94% of the vote in the primary.