Kara Coates

Kara Coates

Nonpartisan

Candidate, Gahanna-Jefferson City School District school board At-large

Gahanna-Jefferson City School District school board At-large

Tenure

2022 - Present

Term ends

2025

Years in position

3

Report an officeholder change

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 2, 2021

Next election

November 4, 2025

Education

High school

Saddle Brook High School

Bachelor's

Ohio University, 1991

Graduate

Franklin University, 2023

Personal

Religion

Christian

Profession

Mental health professional

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Instagram

Personal LinkedIn

Kara Coates is an at-large member of the Gahanna-Jefferson City School District school board in Ohio. She assumed office on January 1, 2022. Her current term ends on December 31, 2025.

Coates is running for re-election for an at-large seat of the Gahanna-Jefferson City School District school board in Ohio. She is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.^[source]

Coates completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Kara Coates graduated from Saddle Brook High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from Ohio University in 1991 and a graduate degree from Franklin University in 2023. Her career experience includes working as a mental health professional. Coates has been affiliated with the OhioHealth DAWN (Disability Awareness Wellness Network) Business Resource Group, OhioHealth Arts Collaborative, and Gahanna GLOW (Giving Circle supporting Central Ohio Non-Profits).

Elections

2025

See also: Gahanna-Jefferson City School District, Ohio, elections (2025)

General election

The general election will occur on November 4, 2025.

General election for Gahanna-Jefferson City School District school board At-large (3 seats)

Incumbent Kara Coates, incumbent Megan Dimmerling, incumbent Dion Manley, John Dooley Jr., and Cynthia Lampkins are running in the general election for Gahanna-Jefferson City School District school board At-large on November 4, 2025.

		Candidate
		Kara Coates (Nonpartisan)
		Megan Dimmerling (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Dion Manley (Nonpartisan)
		John Dooley Jr. (Nonpartisan)
		Cynthia Lampkins (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Coates received the following endorsements. To send us additional endorsements, click here.

• Central Ohio Labor Council
• Gahanna Jefferson Education Association
• Gahanna Democrats and Friends
• Matriots PAC

2021

See also: Gahanna-Jefferson City School District, Ohio, elections (2021)

General election

General election for Gahanna-Jefferson City School District school board At-large (3 seats)

The following candidates ran in the general election for Gahanna-Jefferson City School District school board At-large on November 2, 2021.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sue Horn (Nonpartisan)	19.0	5,637
✔		Kara Coates (Nonpartisan)	18.5	5,491
✔	Submit photo	Dion Manley (Nonpartisan)	15.1	4,472
		Angela Sullivan (Nonpartisan)	12.7	3,767
		Tony Sullivan (Nonpartisan)	11.0	3,271
		Matthew Campbell (Nonpartisan)	10.9	3,246
	Submit photo	Greg Kneeland (Nonpartisan)	7.0	2,070
	Submit photo	Jeff Conklin (Nonpartisan)	5.7	1,690

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 29,644
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2025

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Kara Coates completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Coates' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm proud to be serving in my fourth year on the Gahanna-Jefferson School Board, currently as President. The work we've started is already making a difference and deserves the benefit of consistent leadership. During my first term, graduation rates improved, students' sense of belonging increased, and we created a strategic plan to guide our future. Our goal is to become a top 5% performing district in Ohio by 2030, and we’re making progress. I remain committed to advocating for fair school funding and ensuring that schools are safe and supportive spaces for students and staff. My professional background includes 30 years of experience in leadership, mental health & well-being, and communications. I enjoy serving my community and co-chairing the OhioHealth Disabilities Awareness BRG. Additionally, I am a member of Gahanna GLOW, a giving circle that supports Central Ohio nonprofits, and I have served on the 2025 Gahanna Juneteenth and 2024 Gahanna Pride planning committees. My husband, Kevin, and I moved to Gahanna in 2006, just in time for our twins, Lily and Evan, to start at Lincoln Elementary. We chose Gahanna for its diversity, welcoming spirit, and strong community values. Nineteen years later, it remains one of the best decisions we’ve made. In 2025, Lily graduated from Ohio State and Evan from Kent State. I want every family to feel the same support and opportunities that helped our children find their path, whatever that path looks like for them.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Student-Focused: I've worked to ensure every dollar is spent where it matters most on students, staff, and schools. I testified at the Statehouse to advocate for fair school funding and reduce the burden on taxpayers. We hired a visionary Superintendent and Treasurer, aligned Board goals to our strategic plan, and improved accountability through data and academic updates. Priorities like the high school transition, preschool expansion, middle school additions and college/career readiness are moving forward. I also show up for students at sports, academic programs, culture nights, fundraisers, and the arts. Being student-focused means listening, supporting well-being, and making decisions that lead to real opportunity for every learner.
• Community-Driven: Strong communities start with great schools and that begins with trust and transparency. I am accessible and responsive through quarterly Coffees and Conversations, monthly public meetings, personal outreach, and attendance at school and community events. I also make myself available for one-on-one conversations with parents and residents because listening matters and informs decision-making. To keep families informed, we livestream and record every monthly Board workshop, Finance and Facilities meeting, and Regular Board meetings. This is not required but we feel it is vital for transparency and communications. I'm proud to help make our district a place where families feel connected, heard, and supported.
• Trusted Leadership: Leadership means showing up and working collaboratively for our students and community. I've spent time in schools and visited classrooms. I helped develop and launch our District Strategic Plan. I provide transparent financial oversight while helping complete Phase 2 of our Master Facilities Plan. During this term, I’ve served as Student Achievement Liaison, on the Policy and Strategic Plan Committees, and as GJEF, GJEA, and Gahanna Area Arts Council Liaisons. I was unanimously voted as Vice President in 2024 and as President in 2025, I’m also part of the Ohio School Board Association Central Region Executive Team. I’m committed to putting in the time because our students deserve that dedication.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m passionate about public education funding because strong schools depend on equitable, sustainable resources. I’m committed to continuing to advocate at the Statehouse for a funding model that decreases reliance on local property taxes and reduces the burden on taxpayers. Every student deserves access to a high-quality education. Proper funding also ensures our educators feel valued and equipped to help all students succeed.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to my parents. They made countless sacrifices so my sister and I could achieve our dreams. Yet we never felt the weight of those sacrifices because they created a home filled with love, joy, and unwavering support. They never saw limits for us, and when we struggled, they were right there, problem-solving and encouraging us to grow into the best versions of ourselves.

I remember struggling with math in 4th grade. My mom believed I could master it with practice, so she created her own workbook and spent the summer helping me build confidence and skills. That kind of quiet dedication and belief in my potential shaped who I am today. Now in her 80s, she’s an adventurous, active Nana who went skydiving with her grandchildren to celebrate her birthday. She lives life with courage and joy, and I strive to bring that same energy to my family and community.
My dad always took an interest in the things we loved, even when they weren't his interests. When I joined the tennis team, he took time to learn the sport so we could share the experience. He volunteered as a youth soccer coach for 22 years, modeling service, commitment, and leadership. He was also a connector of people; he never knew a stranger. We lost him in 2016, but I carry his legacy forward by prioritizing people, relationships, and community.
My mom has long been committed to her faith, supporting her church and delivering ministry to those who are homebound.

Together, my parents showed me what it means to lead with heart, give generously, and lift others up; values that I carry with me every day.

What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?

I have attended numerous valuable trainings through the Ohio School Board Association to gain a deeper understanding and become an effective board member. The role of a Board of Education is one of policy and governance: setting clear policies, hiring and evaluating the superintendent and treasurer, and monitoring the district’s academic, financial, and operational progress. An effective board provides vision, accountability, engagement, advocacy, and strong relationships. An effective board member is a good listener, votes in the best interest of students, uses facts and evidence to make decisions, and supports the district's vision, mission, and goals. My skills, experience, and training have equipped me for this office, and I am honored to serve.

How might you support the mental health needs of students/faculty/staff?

Supporting the mental health and well-being of our students and staff has been, and will continue to be, a critical priority. Students cannot learn effectively if their emotional and psychological needs are not being met. I am committed to policies and resources that ensure every student feels safe, supported, and ready to learn.

I also bring personal and professional experience in the area of mental health and well-being, which I use to guide thoughtful, inclusive policy development. I believe mental health should be treated with the same urgency and openness as physical health. That means creating school environments where it is safe to talk about mental health, ask for help, and receive meaningful support.

Just as we care for students, we must care for the adults who support them. Our staff cannot pour from an empty cup. That’s why I support wellness initiatives, professional development, and district-level efforts that prioritize mental health as a key part of staff retention and student success.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Matriots, Gahanna-Jefferson Education Association, Gahanna Democrats & Friends, Franklin County Democratic Party, Central Ohio Young Black Democrats, Franklin County Young Democrats, Central Ohio Labor Council, AFL-CIO

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.

2021

Kara Coates did not complete Ballotpedia's 2021 Candidate Connection survey.

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