Columbus School Board Fires Talent Director Over Benefits Contracts, Overriding Hearing Referee
The unanimous 7-0 vote rejected Dennis D. Grant's recommendation against firing Courtney Hale after the referee found her unauthorized agreements were careless but non-damaging.
The Columbus City Schools Board of Education approved a resolution terminating the employment of Courtney Hale for good and just cause based exclusively on Charge One. Board members approved the resolution with seven affirmative votes and no opposing votes at their Nov. 4, 2026 regular meeting. The action followed a June 16, 2026 resolution initiating termination under R.C. 3319.02 and 3319.16, which led to a private hearing before a referee appointed through ODEW.
Signage outside the Columbus City Schools administrative offices at 270 E. State St. in Columbus.
Credit: Allie Vugrincic / WOSU Image source
Referee Recommended Reprimand Over Termination
Hearing referee Dennis D. Grant conducted an R.C. 3319.16 case before ODEW concerning CCS and Hale.
In a 12-page report, Grant determined that Hale signed four agreements without proper authority, but concluded that her "careless but non-damaging actions" did not provide just cause for discharge. The referee instead recommended no termination, restoring withheld back pay from her unpaid administrative leave, and expunging the proceedings from her records.
Board Cites 'Good and Just Cause' Under Charge One
In its 21-page resolution, the Board of Education accepted the referee's supported factual findings, rejected the referee's ultimate recommendation, and terminated the employment of Courtney Hale for good and just cause based exclusively on Charge One.
Under Charge One, the board found that Hale executed four Aon-related agreements without required authorization and failed to follow established district contract approval procedures. The resolution noted that the hearing record contained evidence raising concerns about Aon's financial reporting and benefits administration, but distinguished that from proof that Hale failed assigned duties.
Healthcare Deficit and Consultant Severance
Public records show Hale was hired in the summer of 2017 and earned a salary of $144,000 in 2025. According to the audit, Hale claimed she was transparent, did not financially benefit from the discrepancies, and felt overwhelmed by being assigned additional responsibilities and roles without support.
District officials stated that employees used about $40 million more in health insurance benefits than expected for medical care. An external audit found that Aon, the district's longtime health benefits consultant, provided optimistic cost projections and failed to meet several responsibilities under its contract.
An Aon spokesperson told ABC 6 that as Columbus City Schools' health and benefits consultant for the past 18 years, Aon served the district with professionalism and transparency, adding that recommendations regarding benefit plans and vendor selection were reviewed through the district's established governance process and all resulting decisions were approved by the appropriate CCS bodies.
Public records show the Board of Education voted 6-1 on Sept. 16, 2025 to renew Aon's contract, with member Brandon Simmons casting the only no vote. Columbus City Schools subsequently confirmed that it ended its contract with Aon in March and sought a new consultant after retaining an independent actuary in October 2025 to examine the Self-Insurance Fund.
Previously, Pique Media reported that Columbus City Schools and unions agreed to an 8% healthcare premium cap, averting surcharges, after the parties reached an agreement on Sept. 28.
Statutory Right of Appeal
Under Ohio Revised Code Section 3319.16, any teacher affected by an order of termination of contract may appeal to the court of common pleas of the county in which the school is located within thirty days after receipt of notice of the entry of such order.
The statute provides that the appeal shall be an original action in the court commenced by filing a complaint against the board, in which complaint the facts shall be alleged upon which the teacher relies for a reversal or modification of such order of termination of contract.
How we know this
The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
CCS board resolution terminating Courtney Hale (21 pp), attached to Nov. 4, 2026 item 5.4
Supporting evidence (6)
The Columbus City Schools Board of Education approved a resolution terminating the employment of Courtney Hale for good and just cause based exclusively on Charge One.
Read supporting passage
A Resolution Accepting The Referee's Supported Factual Findings, Rejecting The Referee's Ultimate Recommendation, And Terminating The Employment Of Courtney Hale For Good And Just Cause Based Exclusively On Charge One.
The action followed a June 16, 2026 resolution initiating termination under R.C. 3319.02 and 3319.16, which led to a private hearing before a referee appointed through ODEW.
Read supporting passage
June 16, 2026 resolution initiating termination under R.C. 3319.02 and 3319.16; private hearing before referee appointed through ODEW; referee recommended no termination, restoring back pay withheld during unpaid administrative leave, and expunging the proceedings from her records.
The referee instead recommended no termination, restoring withheld back pay from her unpaid administrative leave, and expunging the proceedings from her records.
Read supporting passage
referee recommended no termination, restoring back pay withheld during unpaid administrative leave, and expunging the proceedings from her records.
In its 21-page resolution, the Board of Education accepted the referee's supported factual findings, rejected the referee's ultimate recommendation, and terminated the employment of Courtney Hale for good and just cause based exclusively on Charge One.
Read supporting passage
A Resolution Accepting The Referee's Supported Factual Findings, Rejecting The Referee's Ultimate Recommendation, And Terminating The Employment Of Courtney Hale For Good And Just Cause Based Exclusively On Charge One.
Under Charge One, the board found that Hale executed four Aon-related agreements without required authorization and failed to follow established district contract approval procedures.
Read supporting passage
executed four Aon-related agreements without the required authorization and failed to follow established District contract approval procedures
The resolution noted that the hearing record contained evidence raising concerns about Aon's financial reporting and benefits administration, but distinguished that from proof that Hale failed assigned duties.
Read supporting passage
finds hearing record "contains evidence raising concerns about Aon's financial reporting and the administration of the benefits program" but distinguishes that from proof Hale failed assigned duties.
Supporting evidence (1)
Board members approved the resolution with seven affirmative votes and no opposing votes at their Nov. 4, 2026 regular meeting.
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CCS BoardDocs, Nov. 4, 2026 regular meeting agenda and minutes (item 5.4), minutes observed Nov. 5, 2026, 11:55 a.m. ET Item 5.4 Determination of Employee Employment Status (Resolution), Action (Consent). Minutes as shown: "Jennifer Adair moved, seconded by Dr. Tina Pierce, to un-table #5.4 - Determination of Employee Employment Status. AYES: Dr. Antoinette Miranda, Dr. Pierce, Brandon Simmons, Jennifer Adair, Patrick Katzenmeyer, Dr. Jermaine Kennedy, Sarah Ingles NAYS: None Motion carried. Jennifer Adair moved, seconded by Dr. Tina Pierce, to approve #5.4 - Determination of Employee Employment Status (Resolution). AYES: Dr. Pierce, Brandon Simmons, Jennifer Adair, Patrick Katzenmeyer, Dr. Jermaine Kennedy, Sarah Ingles, Dr. Antoinette Miranda NAYS: None Motion carried."
Supporting evidence (2)
Hearing referee Dennis D. Grant conducted an R.C. 3319.16 case before ODEW concerning CCS and Hale.
Read supporting passage
Referee Dennis D. Grant's report and recommendation, CCS and Hale (12 pp, scanned), posted to item 5.4 by Nov. 5, 2026 9:55 a.m. ET Scanned PDF, no text layer. Read visually (pp. 1 and 12) on Nov. 5: R.C. 3319.16 case before ODEW.
In a 12-page report, Grant determined that Hale signed four agreements without proper authority, but concluded that her "careless but non-damaging actions" did not provide just cause for discharge.
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Referee found Hale, Executive Director of Talent Management, signed four documents without authority, but that her "careless but non-damaging actions do not provide just cause"; recommended a letter of admonishment or a last-chance agreement rather than termination.
Supporting evidence (4)
Public records show Hale was hired in the summer of 2017 and earned a salary of $144,000 in 2025.
Read supporting passage
Public records ABC 6 obtained show Hale was hired by the district in the summer of 2017 and earned a salary of $144,000 in 2025.
According to the audit, Hale claimed she was transparent, did not financially benefit from the discrepancies, and felt overwhelmed by being assigned additional responsibilities and roles without support.
Read supporting passage
Hale claims she did not financially benefit from the discrepancies and was transparent. The audit states she felt overwhelmed by being assigned additional responsibilities and roles without support.
An external audit found that Aon, the district's longtime health benefits consultant, provided optimistic cost projections and failed to meet several responsibilities under its contract.
Read supporting passage
The audit found Aon, the district's health benefits consultant, provided optimistic cost projections and failed to meet several responsibilities under its contract.
An Aon spokesperson told ABC 6 that as Columbus City Schools' health and benefits consultant for the past 18 years, Aon served the district with professionalism and transparency, adding that recommendations regarding benefit plans and vendor selection were reviewed through the district's established governance process and all resulting decisions were approved by the appropriate CCS bodies.
Read supporting passage
“As Columbus City Schools' health and benefits consultant for the past 18 years, Aon served the district with professionalism and transparency,” an AON spokesperson told ABC 6. “Recommendations regarding benefit plans and vendor selection were reviewed through the district's established governance process, and all resulting decisions were approved by the appropriate CCS bodies.”
Supporting evidence (4)
District officials stated that employees used about $40 million more in health insurance benefits than expected for medical care.
Read supporting passage
District officials say employees used about $40 million more in health insurance benefits than expected for medical care.
Public records show the Board of Education voted 6-1 on Sept. 16, 2025 to renew Aon's contract, with member Brandon Simmons casting the only no vote.
Read supporting passage
Public records show the Columbus City Schools Board of Education voted 6-1 on Sept. 16, 2025, to renew Aon's contract. Simmons told ABC 6 he cast the only "no" vote
Columbus City Schools subsequently confirmed that it ended its contract with Aon in March and sought a new consultant after retaining an independent actuary in October 2025 to examine the Self-Insurance Fund.
Read supporting passage
Columbus City Schools confirmed to ABC 6 that it has ended its contract with Aon in March and is looking for a new health benefits consultant.
Columbus City Schools subsequently confirmed that it ended its contract with Aon in March and sought a new consultant after retaining an independent actuary in October 2025 to examine the Self-Insurance Fund.
Read supporting passage
retaining an independent actuary in October 2025 to review the Self-Insurance Fund and determine the scope of any issues.
Columbus City Schools and Unions Agree to 8% Healthcare Premium Cap, Averting Surcharges
Supporting evidence (1)
Previously, Pique Media reported that Columbus City Schools and unions agreed to an 8% healthcare premium cap, averting surcharges, after the parties reached an agreement on Sept. 28.
Read supporting passage
Columbus City Schools and Unions Agree to 8% Healthcare Premium Cap, Averting Surcharges
https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/columbus-city-schools-unions-agree-215713015.html
Supporting evidence (1)
Previously, Pique Media reported that Columbus City Schools and unions agreed to an 8% healthcare premium cap, averting surcharges, after the parties reached an agreement on Sept. 28.
Read supporting passage
At a special Sept. 28 Joint Insurance Committee (JIC) meeting, district unions and the administration came to an agreement to ensure health insurance continues with a capped 8% premium increase to participating members in 2027, alongside plan changes to the health benefits plan.
https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-3319.16
Supporting evidence (2)
Under Ohio Revised Code Section 3319.16, any teacher affected by an order of termination of contract may appeal to the court of common pleas of the county in which the school is located within thirty days after receipt of notice of the entry of such order.
Read supporting passage
Any teacher affected by an order of termination of contract may appeal to the court of common pleas of the county in which the school is located within thirty days after receipt of notice of the entry of such order.
The statute provides that the appeal shall be an original action in the court commenced by filing a complaint against the board, in which complaint the facts shall be alleged upon which the teacher relies for a reversal or modification of such order of termination of contract.
Read supporting passage
The appeal shall be an original action in the court and shall be commenced by the filing of a complaint against the board, in which complaint the facts shall be alleged upon which the teacher relies for a reversal or modification of such order of termination of contract.