Dr. Jermaine Kennedy has recently joined the Columbus Board of Education, driven by a clear mission to maintain a focus on student outcomes. According to a report by Columbus City Schools News, Kennedy's decision to run for the board was inspired by a perceived shift away from being centered on students' success. "Every few years there is a need for new perspectives and leadership at the board level," Kennedy told Columbus City Schools News. "A lot of the conversation shifted away from being really student-centered and really focusing on student outcomes—and that’s where my heart has always been."
Dr. Kennedy's long-standing relationship with Columbus City Schools (CCS) includes serving on the CCS Community Engagement & Advocacy Committee, as an ambassador for Columbus Africentric family, in parent-teacher associations, and participating in booster clubs. In his nonprofit work, he closely collaborated with school principals and teachers to design out-of-school-time programming. He has been perpetually engaged, "always as a community member who wants to see the best for young people in this city," Kennedy expressed, according to CCS. His experience in educational leadership is extensive, spanning 23 years and moving from classroom teaching to principalship, state agency work at the Ohio Department of Education Office for Exceptional Children, and leading education programs at the Homeless Families Foundation.
Kennedy's emphasis on student outcomes stems from his own educational journey, marked by the mentorship that helped him overcome discipline and belonging challenges. Kennedy credits his high school mentor with helping him recognize his potential. Recounting his high school experiences, Kennedy said in a statement obtained by CCS, "I was a good student, but I didn’t always feel like I belonged. It was a mentor who helped me see my potential, and that changed everything." His undergraduate years at The Ohio State University were transformative, particularly due to the influence of Dr. Stephen Hall, his first Black male teacher. Reflecting back on their office hours discussions, Dr. Hall stated, "I can think of no one more qualified and more genuinely interested in education than Dr. Kennedy. He will be an outstanding servant leader for the District."
With his seat on the board, Kennedy intends to put into action a governance model that hinges on setting strategy and accountability. "The board should be governing, not managing," Kennedy explained, in a statement obtained by CCS. "Our job is to set goals and guardrails, monitor progress, and make sure student outcomes are actually improving." He advocates for whole-child development, which balances academic achievement with social and emotional growth. Kennedy believes in the importance of student involvement in decision-making at the board and committee levels and calls for advisory councils to strengthen student voice and leadership development. "They should have a say," he emphasized. "These decisions impact them the most, and involving them builds their leadership capacity at the same time."
Looking forward, Kennedy's main objective for his board service is to achieve stronger academic outcomes, create expanded career pathways, and ensure graduates are prepared to lead post-graduation. As per his goal of fostering ownership and agency among students, Kennedy shared his vision: "I want students to leave with agency. Ownership. The ability to impact their communities wherever they choose to go." His commitment to transparency and performance is evident as he steps into his new role, ready to listen and learn from the community he has long served.
