Ragland named to Columbus school board

The Columbus Board of Education chose James Ragland from among more than 55 applicants for the vacant seat on the sevenmember panel Tuesday night.

Following two lengthy closed-door executive sessions, the board voted 6-0 for Ragland, 43, a 2015 Columbus mayoral candidate. He was chosen over two other finalists: Jo Ellen Cline, 49, an attorney and legal analyst for the Columbus City Council; and Jennifer Adair, 38, an attorney with the state Department of Administrative Services who leads the North Linden Area Commission.

Ragland replaces Bryan Steward, a former board member who agreed to hold the seat temporarily after the sudden resignation of Dominic Paretti over allegations of sexually harassing two women at the Ohio Statehouse where he worked as a Democratic aide.

“From his background in education and work in several Columbus communities to his long list of volunteer efforts within our district and at several of our schools, Mr. Ragland demonstrates a commitment and passion for the future of our children and our schools,” board President Gary Baker said in a statement.

Ragland currently leads his own consulting firm. A graduate of Fort Hayes High, Ragland has a daughter in a district high school and a son who is a recent graduate. Ragland will be sworn in Wednesday.