Elyse Jenkins (Lakota Local School District (Butler County), At-large, Ohio, candidate 2025)
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Elyse Jenkins ran for election to the Lakota Local School District (Butler County), At-large in Ohio. She lost in the general election on November 4, 2025.
Jenkins completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
[1]Biography
Elyse Jenkins provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on October 24, 2025:
- Birth date: May 30, 1973
- Birth place: Cincinnati, Ohio
- High school: Walnut Hills High School
- Bachelor's: North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, 1995
- Graduate: University of Dallas, Graduate School of Management, 2002
- Gender: Female
- Religion: Christian
- Profession: Educator and Business Owner
- Incumbent officeholder: No
- Campaign slogan: Together, A Future Ready Lakota!
- Campaign website
- Campaign endorsements
- Campaign Facebook
- Campaign YouTube
- Campaign YouTube video
Elections
General election
General election for Lakota Local School District (Butler County), At-large (3 seats)
The following candidates ran in the general election for Lakota Local School District (Butler County), At-large on November 4, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Kelley Casper (Nonpartisan) | 20.2 | 13,762 |
| ✔ |  | Alex Argo (Nonpartisan) | 19.3 | 13,125 |
| ✔ |  | Benjamin Nguyen (Nonpartisan) | 18.6 | 12,672 |
 | Elyse Jenkins (Nonpartisan)  | 15.2 | 10,340 | |
 | Tommy Montoya (Nonpartisan) | 14.9 | 10,172 | |
| Melissa Meyer (Nonpartisan) | 11.8 | 8,008 | ||
| Total votes: 68,079 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Election results
Endorsements
Jenkins received the following endorsements. To view a full list of Jenkins's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here.
Campaign themes
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Elyse Jenkins completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Jenkins' responses.
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I’m Elyse Jenkins, a proud Lakota parent, community leader, and advocate for educational excellence. My family has called Lakota home for over 22 years, and I’ve raised my son here while mentoring youth and supporting families throughout our district. My children are now grown and thriving—a reflection of the strong foundation our schools and community helped build. Professionally, I’ve served as Director of Curriculum & Coaching and formerly as Director of Marketing for Ohio’s second largest school district, applying best practices that improved outcomes for students and staff. A graduate of School Board School and Lead Ohio, I’m prepared to lead from day one. I bring a balanced, bridge-building approach focused on student success, fiscal responsibility, and transparency—because our community deserves strong, steady leadership that listens, leads, and takes action for Lakota’s future.
- Listening. Leading. Taking Action. Lakota needs leaders who engage with parents, teachers, and students, listen with empathy, and act with integrity. I’m running to ensure every voice in our district is heard and every student has the tools to succeed—academically, socially, and emotionally.
- Prepared to LeadPrepared to Lead from Day One. With experience in education, leadership, and business, I understand how to navigate complex systems, ask the right questions, and make sound decisions. I’m ready to govern responsibly and collaboratively—balancing innovation with accountability. from Day One. With experience in education, leadership, and business, I understand how to navigate complex systems, ask the right questions, and make sound decisions. I’m ready to govern responsibly and collaboratively—balancing innovation with accountability.
- Focused on Lakota’s Future. My commitment is to ensure Lakota remains one of Ohio’s premier districts—where families feel proud, teachers feel supported, and students are prepared for the world ahead. This means fiscal transparency, safe schools, and equitable opportunities for all learners.
I’m passionate about policies that strengthen public education through transparency, accountability, and equity. This includes ensuring student safety, supporting teachers and staff, expanding career-ready and STEM pathways, and prioritizing mental health and wellness. I believe in data-driven decision-making and partnerships that connect schools, families, and the community to create a thriving environment where every student can reach their full potential.
For me, the most personal and defining historical moment was being the first in my immediate family to go away to college and graduate. I was fresh out of high school, and thanks to the strong preparation I received, I was ready to succeed from day one. Attending North Carolina A&T State University was life-changing. Pursuing a challenging engineering program taught me perseverance and opened doors I didn’t know existed. Along the way, I was supported by mentors who looked like me, believed in me, and helped me see what was possible. That experience marked the beginning of my own history of breaking barriers and creating a pathway for others to follow.
Integrity, transparency, accountability, and courage. An effective leader must listen with empathy, communicate clearly, and make decisions grounded in data and values—not politics. I believe elected officials should be bridge builders who lead with consistency, fairness, and respect for all voices in the community.
A school board member’s duty is to set clear policy, ensure fiscal stewardship, and prioritize student achievement and staff support. We are responsible for hiring and evaluating the superintendent, approving budgets, and ensuring that every decision reflects what’s best for all students and the long-term health of the district.
I want to leave a legacy of leadership that made a lasting difference—for students, families, and the community I love. My hope is that when people look back, they’ll say I led with integrity, courage, and compassion; that I listened, built bridges, and helped others find their own voice.
In my more than 30 plus years of leadership and years in Lakota, I’ve learned that real change happens when we work together and put people first. I want my legacy to be one of opportunity—where students are prepared for the world ahead, teachers feel valued, and families know they are heard. If my time in service inspires the next generation to lead, to serve, and to believe in what’s possible, then I will have done my job well.
In my more than 30 plus years of leadership and years in Lakota, I’ve learned that real change happens when we work together and put people first. I want my legacy to be one of opportunity—where students are prepared for the world ahead, teachers feel valued, and families know they are heard. If my time in service inspires the next generation to lead, to serve, and to believe in what’s possible, then I will have done my job well.
For me, the most personal and defining historical moment was being the first in my immediate family to go away to college and graduate. I was fresh out of high school, and thanks to the strong preparation I received, I was ready to succeed from day one. Attending North Carolina A&T State University—one of the nation’s top universities—was life-changing. Pursuing a challenging engineering program taught me perseverance and opened doors I didn’t know existed. Along the way, I was supported by mentors who looked like me, believed in me, and helped me see what was possible. That experience marked the beginning of my own history of breaking barriers and creating a pathway for others to follow.
My first role was as an engineering intern with Cincinnati Gas & Electric, where I worked each summer throughout my four years in college. That experience gave me a firsthand understanding of how electricity is generated, transmitted across the country, and delivered safely to our communities. I also learned programming, database design, and systems operations—skills that built a strong technical foundation early in my career. Through the INROADS program, I simultaneously developed the professional and people skills to complement that technical training. The combination of both—technical knowledge and interpersonal growth—was instrumental to my success and helped shape the leader, problem-solver, and community advocate I am today.
One of my favorite books is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. It’s more than a leadership guide—it’s a framework for purposeful living. The book’s focus on principles like being proactive, beginning with the end in mind, and seeking first to understand has shaped how I lead, build relationships, and make decisions. Those habits remind me that effectiveness starts with character, and true leadership is about service, growth, and helping others reach their potential. The lessons from this book continue to guide me in every area of my life—from family and community to public service.
If I could be any fictional character, I would be Shuri from Black Panther. She’s innovative, intelligent, and unafraid to lead with both heart and brilliance. Shuri represents the power of using knowledge and creativity to solve real problems—something I’ve valued throughout my career in education and leadership. She reminds me that the future belongs to those who are bold enough to imagine it and disciplined enough to build it.
One of my greatest struggles has been learning to balance leadership, family, and purpose—especially as a woman who often felt the need to be everything for everyone. Early in my career, I took on a lot, driven by the belief that hard work alone would open every door. Over time, I learned that true strength also means setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and allowing others to support you.
Those lessons shaped how I lead today—with empathy, patience, and perspective. They’ve helped me understand the quiet struggles many students, parents, and educators face. That understanding drives my commitment to creating systems and environments where people can thrive—not just achieve.
Those lessons shaped how I lead today—with empathy, patience, and perspective. They’ve helped me understand the quiet struggles many students, parents, and educators face. That understanding drives my commitment to creating systems and environments where people can thrive—not just achieve.
The primary job is governance—creating the conditions for success, not micromanaging daily operations. That means setting vision and policy, monitoring progress, and maintaining trust through transparency. School board members are stewards of public confidence and student outcomes.
Every student, family, teacher, and community member in Lakota. Whether a parent, taxpayer, or graduate, all are stakeholders in the district’s success. I’m running to represent everyone—not a group or ideology, but the future of our children and community.
Lakota’s strength is its diversity. Supporting everyone means ensuring equitable access to opportunities, removing barriers to learning, and fostering belonging. I will advocate for unique collective opportunities that equip staff to meet diverse learning needs, and for programs that celebrate culture, inclusion, and innovation. Students should be seen and heard, something I've learned and adopted into a best practice.
Relationships are built through consistency and presence. I will continue engaging with parent groups, civic organizations, chambers of commerce, faith-based partners, and student leadership councils. As someone active in community and business leadership, I believe collaboration among schools, families, and local organizations strengthens the entire district.
Good teaching is engaging, equitable, and outcomes-driven. It balances creativity with accountability and helps every student progress from where they are. I will support professional development, innovative instruction, and classroom resources that help teachers meet individual needs while maintaining academic rigor.
Transparency and collaboration are key. I will advocate for responsible budgeting, seek community partnerships, and support long-term planning that protects classroom resources. We must ensure every dollar aligns with student outcomes while communicating clearly with the public about how funds are used.
Safety requires prevention, partnership, and proactive planning. I support policies that combine secure facilities with mental health resources and positive school culture. Every student and staff member should feel physically safe and emotionally supported in every building.
Mental health is foundational to learning and teaching. I will advocate for accessible counseling, staff training, and partnerships with local mental health providers. We must remove stigma and ensure that support is woven into our school culture, not treated as an afterthought.
I believe the best policies are those that strengthen trust, transparency, and outcomes for students. My focus is on modernizing how we communicate, measure progress, and support the whole child.
I would champion:
A Community Accountability & Transparency Framework — ensuring families can easily access how decisions are made, where funds go, and how student success is measured.
Expanded Career & Innovation Pathways — partnering with local businesses, colleges, and technical programs to connect learning to life beyond graduation.
Student & Staff Wellness Policy — formalizing mental health support, staff retention strategies, and a culture of care that reduces burnout and increases belonging.
Family Engagement Standards — setting clear expectations for parent partnership, two-way communication, and ongoing dialogue between families and schools.
3.14 Action, the Matriots,
A student-centered, safe, and inclusive environment where curiosity thrives and every learner feels seen and supported. Learning should be hands-on, collaborative, and connected to real-world experiences that prepare students for college, careers, and life.
Parents are partners, not outsiders. I will continue to hold regular listening sessions, attend school events, and ensure communication is clear and two-way. I also believe in celebrating parent involvement and creating spaces for constructive feedback.
Attracting and retaining great educators begins with respect and support. I believe in competitive compensation, professional growth opportunities, and a culture where educators feel valued. Recruiting must also reflect the diversity of our student population and the excellence our district is known for. Data has shown, when students see themselves represented, they are more engaged and more likely to succeed. Representation matters.
I don’t believe our curriculum needs drastic change, but rather strategic evolution to meet the demands of a fast-changing world. I would like to see:
Increased Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities and real-world learning partnerships so students graduate future-ready—whether they choose college, career, or the military.
Enhanced Financial Literacy and Life Skills education beginning in middle school to prepare students for independence and responsible decision-making.
Expanded STEM and Technology Integration, especially in elementary grades, to build problem-solving and innovation early on. Expanding our CCP program is a nice focus too so students and families can progress early on and save later.
A Stronger Focus on Mental Wellness and Emotional Intelligence embedded within the curriculum—not as an add-on, but as a daily skill that supports learning and relationships.
AI should enhance—not replace—human connection and creativity. I believe in teaching students how to use AI responsibly while ensuring educators are trained to leverage it ethically. Used wisely, AI can personalize learning and improve efficiency, but it must always align with privacy, equity, and educational goals.
It's one I know firsthand..... a phenomenal parent with four kids, one going away to college and the other three in Lakota faced with many decisions. Without getting too detailed, I stepped in to do what I would want done for my child. Problem solved so the children and mom could have the best given the circumstances.
I’m very proud to be the first in my family to go away to college, earn a degree in engineering, and set a standard of excellence that inspired others to follow. Education opened doors for me that changed the course of my life, and it became a calling to help others see what’s possible for them, too. Over the years, I’ve encouraged and celebrated family members, friends, and students who have gone on to achieve their own goals—each one a reminder that success multiplies when we lift others as we climb.
That journey taught me the power of perseverance, faith, and community. It’s not just about being the first to do something—it’s about creating a path wide enough for others to walk through with confidence. That continues to be one of the accomplishments I’m most proud of, both personally and professionally.
That journey taught me the power of perseverance, faith, and community. It’s not just about being the first to do something—it’s about creating a path wide enough for others to walk through with confidence. That continues to be one of the accomplishments I’m most proud of, both personally and professionally.
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See also
2025 Elections
External links
Footnotes
