Ashley Zimmer
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Ashley Zimmer is an at-large member-elect of the Groveport-Madison Local School District school board in Ohio. She assumes office on January 1, 2026.
Zimmer ran for election for an at-large seat of the Groveport-Madison Local School District school board in Ohio. She won in the general election on November 4, 2025.
Zimmer completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Ashley Zimmer was born in Jacksonville, Florida. She earned a high school diploma from Upper Arlington High School. Her career experience includes working as a legal assistant.[1]
Elections
2025
See also: Groveport-Madison Local School District, Ohio, elections (2025)
General election
General election for Groveport-Madison Local School District school board At-large (3 seats)
The following candidates ran in the general election for Groveport-Madison Local School District school board At-large on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Dionna Herbert (Nonpartisan)  | 18.0 | 2,306 |
| ✔ |  | LaToya Dowdell-Burger (Nonpartisan) | 17.8 | 2,277 |
| ✔ | Ashley Zimmer (Nonpartisan) | 15.0 | 1,930 | |
 | Seth Bower (Nonpartisan) | 14.6 | 1,869 | |
| Michael Dulin (Nonpartisan) | 11.9 | 1,527 | ||
| Lori Foltz-Rea (Nonpartisan) | 11.9 | 1,523 | ||
| Larry Carey (Nonpartisan) | 10.9 | 1,392 | ||
| Total votes: 12,824 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Naomi Sealey (Nonpartisan)
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Zimmer in this election.
Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Ashley Zimmer completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Zimmer's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I'm an actively involved parent with two young children in the district. When I began noticing things that didn't sit right, I chose to get involved rather than sit on the sidelines. I started attending school board meetings , applied to the Parental Advisory Committee, and became a founding member of the Dunloe Elementary School PTA, where I still hold a seat. I also serve as a chair on the district's Parental Advisory Committee and am a member of the District Safety Committee.
I've committed myself to being involved in as many ways as possible so I can stay informed and help drive positive change. Through volunteering, attending meetings, and serving on committees, I've seen concerning patterns - ones that motivated me to run for this position.
I believe that if you want change, you have to be the change. I'm here to advocate for our children, support our teachers, and hold individuals accountable. It won't be easy, but I'm ready to fight for what's right and bring our district back to what matters most: doing what's best for our students.
We are missing valuable opportunities to support our kids - resources that cost little or nothing, but could be life-changing. I will fight every day to make sure our students have access to the best possible support, opportunities, and education.- Back to the Basics We must remove personal grudges and politics from our schools and refocus on what truly matters - our students. They are our number one priority. We need to get back to strong fundamentals in education, while also supporting students socially and emotionally. Our job is to prepare them for the real world, and right now, we are falling short in too many areas. It's time to realign our focus and make decisions with our children's futures at the center.
- Transparency It's time to stop hiding information and start building trust. Mistakes happen - we're human. What matters is how we move forward. We must break the cycle of secrecy and begin operating with honesty, clarity, and integrity. By committing to open communication and sharing information, we model values we want to instill in our students. Change won't happen overnight, but if we start now, we'll see lasting impact by the time today's elementary students reach high school.
- Fiscal Responsibility We must demand accountability and do the work to ensure every dollar is spent wisely. That means requiring multiple bids for projects, asking for documentation - not just promises - and refusing to accept subpar work. We need to update aging schools and invest responsibly in our facilities without waste. Following policy, doing due diligence, and expecting transparency in spending are non-negotiable. It's time to stop settling for what's easy and start doing what's right.
I'm passionate about public policies that prioritize student success, safety, transparency, and fiscal responsibility. We must refocus on delivering strong education while also strengthening student services, including discipline and school safety, to create a supportive and secure learning environment. I believe in open governance - no hidden agendas - and ensuring district spending is responsible and effective. I'm committed to policies that put students first, involve the community, and hold leadership accountable at every level.
I've always looked up to my dad. From a young age, he instilled in me a strong work ethic - one that I carry with me to this day. He taught me the value of a dollar, the importance of family, and perhaps most importantly, that life isn't always fair. These lessons shaped who I am and how I approach challenges. Unfortunately, many of these core values seem to be lacking in younger generations today. As we look toward the future, I hope to instill these same traits in our children. It's vital that we prepare the next generation to face real-life situations with resilience, responsibility, and adaptability. Our future workforce depends on it.
The most important characteristics for an elected official are integrity, accountability, transparency, and the courage to stand up for what's right. An official must listen with an open mind, make informed decisions, and never lose sight of who they serve - the community and students. Personal agendas have no place in public service. Doing what's best isn't always easy, but strong leadership requires honesty, consistency, and a willingness to make tough choices for the greater good.
The core responsibilities are to enforce policy, manage the superintendent, and ensure the district runs in the best interest of students. This includes approving budgets responsibly, holding staff accountable, and focusing on safe, supportive schools. A board member must lead with transparency, remove personal agendas from decision-making, and listen to the community. Most importantly, they must keep students - not politics - at the center of every choice and work to restore trust in district leadership.
9/11 happened during my freshman year of high school. I was 14 years old, sitting in government class with Mr. Hartney when we watched the Twin Towers fall on live television. At the time, I couldn't fully grasp the magnitude of what was unfolding before my eyes. Looking back now, I realize how profoundly that day changed our country - and how it shaped my understanding of the world. The shock, the fear, and the unity that followed left a lasting impression, even if I didn't fully understand it in that moment.
My first job was a hostess at a small family-owned restaurant called Chef-o-Nette. It was more than just greeting guests - I was also responsible for managing the flow of the dining room and casing out checks at the register, which taught me the importance of accuracy, trust, and customer service. Over time, I worked my way up to waitress, taking on more responsibility and sharpening my communication and multitasking skills. I stayed there for nearly three years before moving on, but that early experience laid the foundation for my strong work ethic and confidence in handling fast-paced, people-focused environments.
in my view, the primary job of a school board member is to ensure that every decision made puts students first. That means enforcing policy, holding leadership and staff accountable, managing the superintendent effectively, and overseeing responsible budgeting. It also requires full transparency, removing personal agendas, and listening to the community. A school board must be willing to speak up, ask tough questions, and fight for what is right - because our students, teachers, and families deserve nothing less.
The residents, families, and stake holders within our district.
I will do my best to support the diverse needs of our students, staff, and community within the resources available to our district. While staffing shortages and budget limitations can present real challenges - especially in building a more diverse workforce - I believe in making the most of what we have while actively seeking opportunities to do more. As resources grow, I will advocate for inclusive practices, equitable support systems and direct culture where every voice is heard and valued.
I will build relationships by actively partnering with community groups, organizations, and stakeholders to create a strong foundation for collaboration. By working together, we can establish more programs and secure additional resources that will benefit both the schools and the community. Specifically, I'll engage with local businesses, parent groups, nonprofits, and civic organizations to ensure a united effort in supporting our schools. Strong partnerships are key to creating lasting change and providing the best opportunities for our students.
Good teaching is about more than just delivering lessons - it's about making a lasting impact. A great teacher inspires students, showing them the value of knowledge and how it connects to life beyond the classroom. They challenge students to grow, guiding them through both academic and personal development. A teach doesn't just teach subjects; they lay the groundwork for the student's future, shaping their confidence, curiosity, and work ethic. The best teachers are those who leave a mark on their students, creating lifelong memories and lessons.
To ensure schools are properly funded, I believe in adopting innovative strategies, like bringing in college inters to help with grant writing. There are countless grant opportunities available, but we need to be proactive in pursuing them. Instead of waiting for funding to come to us, we should research and identify these opportunities ahead of time. By getting ahead of the game, we can tap into resources that will help support our schools, expand programs, and address the needs of both students and staff without relying solely on traditional funding sources.
My policies for school safety are driven by the principles of transparency, proactivity, and community collaboration. Safety isn't just about physical security; it's about creating a supportive, inclusive environment where students feel safe to learn and grow. I believe in working with local law enforcement, parents, teachers, and students to identify potential risk and address them early. This includes not only preventing violence but also fostering a positive school culture where respect, discipline, and well-being are prioritized.
The ideal learning environment for students blends modern technology with traditional teaching methods. While we need to embrace electronics for assessments and certain lessons, we should rely solely on them. Learning should still be fun and engaging We can incorporate games, competitions like spelling bees, or role-playing activities to spark excitement and creativity. By using a variety of teaching methods, we keep students motivated while reinforcing the basics that form the foundation of strong education.
Building a strong relationship with parents starts with increasing their involvement in the district. We need to create more opportunities for parents to engage in meaningful ways, ensuring their voices are heard and valued. This will help us move away from divisive, combative relationships and instead focus on fostering unity and collaboration. By working together, we can show our kids that we stand together as a community, focused on their success. Let's stop spreading negativity and start focusing on what we can do together to create positive change.
For recruitment, I believe in using platforms like LinkedIn to actively search for talent. It's not just about posting openings - it's about reviewing resumes and reaching out to top candidates directly. We should make the initial contact and sell them on joining our team. Once we bring them in, we must create a positive, supportive work environment that encourages growth and ensure long-term retention. A great atmosphere fosters loyalty and attracts people who are genuinely passionate about our mission and our students.
There's always room for growth in any curriculum. It's essential that we regularly review and update our curriculum to ensure it aligns with current standards and best practices. By doing so, we can keep pushing our students to reach their full potential and get the most out of their eduction. This includes not only academic subjects but also life skills, critical thinking, and emotional development. A curriculum that evolves with the needs of both students and the broader world will better prepare them for their future.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2025 Elections
External links
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Candidate Groveport-Madison Local School District school board At-large |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 11, 2025
