Columbus Municipal School District has its challenges, some of which have stubbornly persisted over a long period of time. But there is one area that CMSD has proven to be an unqualified success over the past 10 years, a period that coincides with Jason Spears’ membership on the CMSD Board of Trustees: finances.

The district’s fiscal achievements are astounding:

• In 2012 the district’s fund balance dipped as low as $237,000, far short of the state-mandated minimum. There was talk of a state takeover of the district due in part to its persistently low balance. Today, the fund balance is $12 million, almost twice the required amount.

• Prior to Spears’ arrival, the district declared budget shortfalls in nine of 10 years. That hasn’t been done since.

• In 2017, Spears pushed to restructure two bonds, one used to pay for Columbus Middle School and a second construction bond. That debt restructuring saved the district $360k.

• In 2020, The Dispatch reported CMSD was on track to have all bond debt paid off by 2024. The district is still on pace to do that. Ten years ago, bond debt amounted to more than $24 million.

• Even as the district was reducing its debt and building its fund balance, it was able to provide employee bonuses — including custodians, teachers and other staff — for academic improvement. The TIPPS program paid out $370,000 in bonuses to faculty and staff in 2019 alone.

• The sale of long-vacant Lee Middle School returned it to the tax rolls, a move that generates $30,000 a year in tax revenue.

These types of achievements don’t “just happen.” They are the result of knowledge and experience. They are also the result of the work of many, including other board members and school administrators. But there can be little doubt about who guided these efforts. Spears, a professional financial advisor with his own firm, was the one person on the board with the understanding of finances and requisite skills to facilitate these changes. Any discussion of these achievements rightfully starts with him.

Spears’ term on the board expires this month. On Tuesday, the Columbus City Council will fill the position. Spears has re-applied. Other applicants are Cynthia Brown, an educator; J’Marcus Brooks, a pastor; and Victor Salter, a CMSD school safety officer and pastor.

Spears was reappointed to four-year terms in 2014 and 2018. But for the first time, there appears a real possibility that he will not be chosen Tuesday.

CMSD has a $55-million budget. Any organization of that size requires decision-makers with expertise in finance. Above all others, that has been Spears’ contribution to the district.

While we commend Brown, Brooks and Salter for their interest in serving our school district and encourage them to stay involved, we believe Spears’ unique talents and experience make him the obvious candidate. No other current board members or applicants possess anywhere near the financial acumen Spears has effectively demonstrated over these past 10 years.

The district’s financial turnaround has been nothing short of astounding. We hope the city council appreciates this and votes to return Spears to the CMSD Board of Trustees Tuesday.

The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.

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