Columbus City Schools to spend $800,000 on new school facilities plan The Columbus Board of Education has taken the first step to relaunch a defunct school-rebuilding program it started nearly 20 years ago. Board members voted 7-0 Tuesday to approve a nearly $800,000 contract between Columbus City Schools and Legat Architects for "educational planning and master facility planning services." The district selected the firm, which is based in Chicago and has offices in Downtown Columbus, from among eight applicants. There was no discussion of the matter at the board meeting. The Dispatch has requested a copy of the contract. The facility planning process is expected to last more than a year, through July 2022. Planning for a bond issue to fund any proposed construction would follow, Columbus City Schools spokeswoman Jacqueline Bryant said in an email to The Dispatch.