Columbus City Schools

Selling Columbus Public Schools

with Dr. Gene T. Harris
Superintendent, Columbus Public Schools

Begin with the end in mind. That's a business truth that keeps Dr. Gene Harris, Superintendent of Columbus Public Schools (CPS), focused on her goal of providing an excellent education for all Columbus Public School students.

At our March Affordable Housing Roundtable, Dr. Harris' drive and genuine enthusiasm were apparent as she shared her vision for the CSS, stating: "Our product is not the student; we don't own them; we don't control the variables in their homes or their early lives, and their parents are the first and often their most lasting teachers. That's as it should be, for all children."
"Our product is the diploma: taking from wherever they are when they come to us and doing everything we can to ensure they earn the basic credential that will open doors to higher education and better job opportunities throughout their adult lives."

Our vision, is that Columbus has . . .

Schools that are safe
Schools where students, teachers and parents are excited about learning and energized by results
Students wholly committed to the idea that every child - Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, Somalian, gifted or challenged -- can learn and achieve as measured against high standards
Schools designed to serve the needs of the community, with a commitment to lifelong learning and an educational program that not only keeps pace, but also anticipates new directions in the job market
Schools where results are not only expected but measured and rewarded
Schools "without walls" where technology extends learning beyond the classroom and the community's resources become an extended lab for learning
Schools where praise and thanks surround teachers and principals for the critical role they play in the life of our community and its children.

Our Challenge
Columbus City Schools is one of 18 Ohio school districts on Academic emergency per our 2003 Report Card. However, we did show measurable improvement in 21 of 22 categories and district students showed across-the-board gains in all subject areas on the Ohio Fourth- and Sixth-Grade Tests - a first ever achievement for the district. We've put in place Proficiency Institutes, offered Saturday mornings from January to March, to help high school students pass.

The Future
Tomorrow's Central Ohio workforce -- those least likely to move from the Central Ohio area and most likely to be the city's future tax base - are attending the Columbus Public Schools today.

We invite both REALTORS® and prospective homeowners to tour any of our 144 schools. Our school administrators welcome the opportunity to share with you why we're so proud of our school district. Just call ahead to let them you that you are coming.

Shown here with Dr. Harris -- Robert J. Weiler who has served on the CPS Board of Education in the past; and 2 CBR REALTOR® members who are CPS graduates - Greg Green ('88 Mifflin) and Mandy Harliss ('86 Mifflin). Mandy's been in the real estate business for 15 years. Greg just started in December, 2002.

Columbus Public Schools

Overview

we are operating 144 schools -- 92 elementary schools, including 3 k-8 alternative schools (Spanish Immersion, French and the Africentric School); 25 middle schools, 18 high schools; 4 career centers, 4 special schools; and 3 English as a Second Language (ESL) centers.
our district includes approximately 120 square miles
our bus drivers carry students on 552 daily bus routes with more than 32,000 students transported daily. Our transportation system is larger and its bus routes more complex than COTA's.
we focus on 63,000 students (student population has remained relatively stable over the past decade)
we employ 12,573 full and part-time employees, 73% of whom are teachers and aides
we serve 42,000 breakfast and lunch meals in our cafeterias
200 more students graduated in 2002 than in 2001
Our graduates earn more than $20 million in scholarships, grants and financial aid packages and attend some of the finest schools and service academies in the nation

Wonderfully Diverse

our racial composition is 62% Black, 33% white, 2% Asian and 3% Hispanic. We also have an increasing number of Somali and Hispanic students.
almost 3% of our students have parents who speak a language other than English.
we hear over 100 languages spoken in our schools everyday.

Current Revenue Sources

our FiscalYear 2003 General Fund revenues are $564 million
none of it comes from borrowing
Local real estate revenues make up 41.3%
State and Federal revenues provide 44.9%
Personal tangible property tax and other local funds provide the remaining 13.8%

For more information about the Columbus Public Schools call the FACTline at 221-FACT or visit the website at www.columbus.k12.oh.us.