Elizabeth McClain
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Elizabeth McClain is an at-large member-elect of the Dublin City Schools Board of Education in Ohio. She assumes office on January 1, 2026.
McClain ran for election for an at-large seat of the Dublin City Schools Board of Education in Ohio. She won in the general election on November 4, 2025.
McClain completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Elizabeth McClain was born in Columbus, Ohio. She graduated from Bishop Watterson High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from Western Governors University in 2017. Her career experience includes working as a program manager. McClain has been affiliated with the Women's Network of Utility Professionals (WiNUP), League of Women Voters Metro Columbus, and the Project Management Institute (PMI).[1]
Elections
2025
See also: Dublin City Schools, Ohio, elections (2025)
General election
General election for Dublin City Schools Board of Education At-large (3 seats)
Incumbent Tiffany deSilva, Tara Seward, and Elizabeth McClain defeated Kristy Venne in the general election for Dublin City Schools Board of Education At-large on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Tiffany deSilva (Nonpartisan) | 28.7 | 10,885 | |
| ✔ |  | Tara Seward (Nonpartisan)  | 27.7 | 10,498 |
| ✔ |  | Elizabeth McClain (Nonpartisan) | 23.8 | 9,030 |
 | Kristy Venne (Nonpartisan) | 19.8 | 7,521 | |
| Total votes: 37,934 | |||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Jamil Nassar (Nonpartisan)
Endorsements
McClain received the following endorsements.
Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Elizabeth McClain completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by McClain's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Project Manager at AEP (American Electric Power): Skilled in planning, coordinating, and delivering complex projects that require collaboration, organization, and accountability.
Former staff at Legislative Service Commission (LSC) & Legislative Information Systems (LIS), State of Ohio: Direct experience working with government operations, legislation, and information systems gives me a strong understanding of public policy and how government works behind the scenes. Former commission member of Community Services Advisory Committee (CSAC), City of Dublin: advised on community programs and services, giving direct insight into resident needs and how city services impact families.
President & Event Coordinator, Ohio Pet Charities (OPC): Lead a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that hosts large community events, builds partnerships with local businesses and national sponsors, and connects rescues with families to promote pet adoption and education.- One of the most pressing issues facing public education today is the expansion of school voucher programs. These programs siphon critical funding away from our public schools where the vast majority of students are educated and redirect it to private schools serving only a small fraction of children. What many may not realize is that public schools provide a wide range of programs, from gifted education to special needs services. When funding is reduced, these essential programs suffer, and students are denied the resources and support they deserve. My plan is to work with the Ohio legislators to promote and advocate for fair, sustainable funding that supports all learners.
- College isn’t the only route to success. I champion equal respect and support for trade schools, technical training, and apprenticeships and I will advocate for stronger partnerships with Tolles and Delaware Career & Technical Center, dual enrollment programs, and real-world job certifications. Encourage internships, apprenticeships, and hands-on learning experiences in high-demand trades and emerging industries. Work with our business community to build pathways from classroom to career.
- The role of a school board member is to stay closely connected to the key issues facing our schools while representing the voices of all stakeholders students, parents, teachers, staff, and community members throughout every phase of decision-making. I plan to do that by being active and accessible. That means spending time with different groups across our community not just to share what the board is working on, but to listen and learn from their experiences and concerns. It’s a two-way street, and I believe honest, consistent dialogue is essential. When it comes time to make decisions or address challenges, I’ll be a strong advocate for the concerns and priorities of our community. I’ll push for transparency, accountability, and thought
I will fight to protect the financial health of our district. We must take every available action to stop the erosion of public school funding, which places a growing burden on local taxpayers and undermines the stability of our schools. One of the most pressing issues facing public education today is the expansion of school voucher programs. These programs siphon critical funding away from our public schools where the vast majority of students are educated and redirect it to private schools serving only a small fraction of children. What many may not realize is that public schools provide a wide range of programs, from gifted education to special needs services. When funding is reduced, students suffer without these essential services.
My parents, grandparents and family are all examples of lives well lived. My grandfather emigrated from Ireland in 1924 to Columbus and met my Grammy, they settled in Clintonville, raised a family who in turn had families and most are still here in Central Ohio. Being a native of Columbus gives me pride and I want to give back so my sons will in turn carry the spirit of giving back and so forth.
Integrity – Acting with honesty and transparency, even when decisions are tough.
Accountability – Taking responsibility for decisions and being responsive to the community.
Fairness – Ensuring all voices are heard and every stakeholder is treated equitably.
Empathy – Understanding the real-life impact policies have on students, families, and staff.
As an elected official, the most important thing is to serve with integrity, listen to the community, and make decisions based on fairness and long-term impact. That means being transparent, accountable, and empathetic always putting people before politics.
I remember the Bicentennial celebrations in 1976 and a funny story when Karol Józef Wojtyła became Pope John Paul II, my 7th grade school teacher Mrs. Angelo told us that the poet e.e. cummings could not have written a poem because he wrote in lower case and Pope John Paul II was Polish, not polish.
My first adult job was a bank teller at Buckeye Federal Savings and Loan in Upper Arlington. I worked there while a student at The Ohio State University. The building now houses the Penzey's Spices off Kenny Road.
Conrad Richter's trilogy The Awakening Land (The Trees, The Fields, and The Town). My great aunts were librarians and we received books for birthdays, holidays and life events. To this day, this trilogy of books remains a favorite of mine.
The strength of Dublin City Schools comes from the fact that we serve a diverse region that spans multiple cities, townships, and counties. With that reach, it’s essential for the Board to stay engaged in meaningful conversations with municipal leaders about housing and enrollment. As a project manager and member of the Dublin Community Services Advisory Committee, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to bring different voices together, share accurate information, and find solutions that benefit the whole community. As a Board Member, I would approach those conversations the same way by listening, asking questions, and collaborating so that development decisions also take into account the needs of our schools and students. Looking ahead, enrollment growth will create new demands on the district. We need to ensure we have the right facilities, classroom space, and staffing to support that growth, while also maintaining programs and opportunities that make Dublin schools exceptional. Careful planning, transparency, and community input will be key to making sure we continue providing the high-quality education our families expect as our district grows.
I would work closely with Treasurer Brian Kern and review the 5-Year Forecast to understand where we are financially and what challenges are coming. It’s important that the community knows how dollars are being spent and that we’re making smart decisions for the long term.
I would work closely with Treasurer Brian Kern and review the 5-Year Forecast to understand where we are financially and what challenges are coming. It’s important that the community knows how dollars are being spent and that we’re making smart decisions for the long term.
The students and their parents/guardians, educators and administrators and the community.
Dublin has a distinct advantage of being a cosmopolitan hyper-diverse community that inherently sets up students and the community to better learn about each other; for example, my sons took part in cultural days where they learned about customs, food, language and other aspects of distinct cultures. Clubs, where cultural identities are expressed, explored and shared with the community, makes us stronger. East Asian, Indo-Asian, Black and Latino cultural histories are the history of the Americas. You cannot divorce the history of America from the rich and diverse history of people from around the world who have come here and made America what it is. I would propose greater community engagement through participation in festivals and excursions to public events highlighting the many cultural backgrounds of our vibrant community.
I plan to do that by being active and accessible. That means spending time with different groups across our community not just to share what the board is working on, but to listen and learn from their experiences and concerns. It’s a two-way street, and I believe honest, consistent dialogue is essential. I look to do that by ensuring I spend time with the different groups of stakeholders in our community to both help educate them on the current thinking of the school board, but also ensure the board understands the concerns of the community. During the school board meetings and administration functions, I’ll strongly advocate for those community concerns and ensure the administration has appropriate plans addressing outstanding issues and concerns.
One of the most pressing issues facing public education today is the expansion of school voucher programs. These programs siphon critical funding away from our public schools where the vast majority of students are educated and redirect it to private schools serving only a small fraction of children. What many may not realize is that public schools provide a wide range of programs, from gifted education to special needs services. When funding is reduced, these essential programs suffer, and students are denied the resources and support they deserve.
My plan is to work closely with Ohio legislators to advocate for proper funding for all students. I will push for well-rounded, inclusive education policies that uphold both the value of choice and the dignity of every child’s right to a high-quality public education.
My plan is to work closely with Ohio legislators to advocate for proper funding for all students. I will push for well-rounded, inclusive education policies that uphold both the value of choice and the dignity of every child’s right to a high-quality public education.
The Dublin school district does an excellent job providing academic advisors to our students and the individuals trained in this discipline may or may not be able to take on the facet of mental health. To that end, Dublin could provide dedicated mental health/psychological faculty available to students both in a drop in choice as well as telehealth to provide access to their expertise. There are currently social workers available to students, and adding mental health professionals to the academic advisors provides a tripartite team to help students during their educational development.
Delaware County Democratic Party, Union County Democrats, Franklin County Democratic Party, The Matriots
Allowing students more independence to decide how they learn and study, while supporting ties to existing standards with their teachers and specialists, provides them with the potential to craft learning pathways that best suits their individual needs.
The academic curriculum of the school district is strong and could grow to include added curriculum opportunities around English and history classes, which highlight more in-depth American studies. Learning about the histories of other countries helps us better
understand what happened in the past, while also showing us lessons that still matter today and can guide us into the future. Civics is another area that needs strengthened so our future leaders and voters understand that voting (or possibly not) has impacts. I’m the generation of Schoolhouse Rock, and I know that simple, yet effective messages are clever ways to promote learning in ways that resonate with students and their parents.
understand what happened in the past, while also showing us lessons that still matter today and can guide us into the future. Civics is another area that needs strengthened so our future leaders and voters understand that voting (or possibly not) has impacts. I’m the generation of Schoolhouse Rock, and I know that simple, yet effective messages are clever ways to promote learning in ways that resonate with students and their parents.
AI should be used as an extension of learning no differently than books or other feeders to their learning. At the same time though, AI must be managed in a way that does not promote reliance and lethargy to creativity. AI is a tool and needs correct protocols and procedures to make it an effective tool and can boost productivity and capability if properly employed.
My sons are amazing accomplishments of my husband and me. They are so varied and different in their likes and dislikes yet will always come to each other's assistance.
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See also
2025 Elections
External links
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Candidate Dublin City Schools Board of Education At-large |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 27, 2025
