Teachers at a Columbus charter high school have narrowly voted to form a union. But the election outcome is contested.
Teachers at a Columbus Charter High School, Franklinton Preparatory Academy, narrowly voted to 5 to 4 to join the state’s largest teachers union, the Ohio Education Association.If the vote withstands a challenge, Franklinton Prep would become the first of Ohio’s 370 charter schools to unionize.School attorney, Adam Schira, said the administration actively opposed formation of a union.“We sought to inform the voters of a lot of things, but we did oppose the idea of unionizing in general,” said Schira.Teacher Ryan Marchese headed the organizing effort.He said the union gives a “collective” voice to teachers that will also benefit students.Franklinton Preparatory Academy enrolls about 130 students.