Ryan Holstine
Elections and appointments
Personal
Contact
Ryan Holstine is running for election for an at-large seat of the Pickerington Local School District Board of Education in Ohio. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 4, 2025.[source]
Holstine completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Ryan Holstine graduated from Chillicothe High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Capital University in 2005 and a graduate degree from Franklin University in 2009. Holstine's professional experience includes working as an IT project manager.[1][2]
Elections
2025
See also: Pickerington Local School District, Ohio, elections (2025)
General election
The general election will occur on November 4, 2025.
Endorsements
Holstine received the following endorsements. To send us additional endorsements, click here.
2021
See also: Pickerington Local School District, Ohio, elections (2021)
General election
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Ryan Holstine completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Holstine's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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My wife and I have lived in Pickerington for 18 years and we moved here for the schools and the reasonable cost of living. We moved here right before we got married shortly after, we purchased our first home here. We recommitted to the community by selling our first house and buying another home in Pickerington. We have had several opportunities to move over the years and have consistently decided to call Pickerington our home.
My wife, Jessica, works at a local hospital and we have 3 children, and they all attend Pickerington Schools.
I have been involved in numerous activities and organizations, but people may recognize me from Seton Parish where I have served in several different capacities including teaching Religious Education, serving on Pastoral Council for 3 years and serving as both a Mass Coordinator and a Eucharistic Minister. I have also volunteered my time over the course of numerous seasons for PASA, PYAA Softball and I9 Basketball. I have served as a trustee on the Winding Creek HOA. I was extremely involved in the Toll Gate Elementary PTSO while my children attended Toll Gate Elementary. I currently serve on the Violet Township Zoning Commission and the Fairfield County ADAMH Board. Additionally, I have served my community by serving on the Charter Review Board for the City of Pickerington in 2010. I also deployed to Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan for 6 months while I was employed by the Defense Logistics Agency. - The biggest issue facing our community is operating funds. We will dip below the 45-day cash on hand threshold in 2026. The Board needs to prepare an Operating Levy that the community can rally behind and support the first time. We no longer have time to try multiple times to pass a levy because our current Board of Education decided to play politics rather than advocate for our students and they voted against putting an issue on the November ballot. With regards to the district finances, we continue to put a Band-Aid on a bursting dam and we are failing our students and by extension our community.
- We can improve on our communication. To fix our communication issue, I commit to staying very active on social media to both provide information to the public and listen to their issues and concerns. Additionally, I plan on having a once a month in person meet and greet so the public can come in person to meet with me and discuss their concerns. We need to meet people were they are. Not everyone has time for Board meetings or to even watch a replay on YouTube. We need proactive communication in the form of quick mailers to let residents know 3-5 things the district is focusing on or is doing. Board members should be conducting monthly town halls so that we can highlight what is going on in the district.
- Trust must be rebuilt between the Board of Education and both our staff members and the community. This will take time, and it will take utter transparency from the Board. We need to show the community what work we are always doing. Being on the Board is more than a twice a month commitment, it is a commitment that we will be in our schools and out in the community championing everything PLSD. We need to directly show what our money is being spent on because attendance at Board meetings isn’t great, and most people are very busy with their own lives so we must meet them where they are with communication and trust.
School funding is under attack from every source. The Federal government is on the course to abolishing the Department of Education. The State of Ohio significantly cut funding to public schools in the current budget. Multiple initiatives are being pursued to end property taxes in Ohio. All of these budgetary pressures are having a devastating impact on public education.
I look up to my maternal grandfather, Richard Bolling. I like to follow example of people that do the right thing even when it isn't popular. I like to follow people that have honesty, integrity and compassion.
Honesty, integrity, transparency and the ability to listen to the public. If we have a school board filled with individuals that embody all of these characteristics, our district will be heads and shoulders above the rest.
The primary function of a local school board is to set policy for the school district, establish budgets, hire the superintendent and treasurer, and guide collective bargaining.
I intend to work with the public and engage the community for feedback. Within that primary function is a commitment to public involvement, providing my opinions as necessary and supporting the will of the majority if I find myself with a dissenting opinion. I believe that the school board embodies the democratic process for the community to have input on our schools and this is the most efficient way to do so with respect and decorum. I believe the role of a local school board is to support our teachers and district employees because without them, we cannot have an effective school system.
If elected, my role would be one of a communicator, advocate and facilitator. Productive dialogue is paramount to a successful district. Quite a few of the issues that occur within any organization are driven by substandard communication. I intend to keep an open and constant dialogue with the members of our community, including parents, students, and staff. The best way to do this is to listen, ask clarifying questions, and follow up with any required actions.
Having an exceptional school district requires hard work, and keeping high standards takes even more work. I am willing and able to devote the time and energy to ensure we meet the goals and expectations that our community has of us. I want to be a partner to students, staff and parents to help the district be the best that we can be. I would like to leave a legacy that I had a positive impact on the world. It doesn't have to be massive but just knowing that I left something better than I found it.
September 6, 1995. Cal Ripken broke Lou Gehrig's record for most consecutive MLB games played. I was 11.
My first real job was working for Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services. I managed an inbound customer call center for 3 years.
The Terminal List by Jack Carr. Great novel full of suspense, action and political intrigue. Definitely a must read.
Peter Pan. Growing up can always wait.
Mental Health is an issue in my family and I am no different. It is important to always have someone to talk to and it is okay to not be okay. What isn't okay, is hiding it from everyone and thinking you are alone.
The primary function of a local school board is to set policy for the school district, establish budgets, hire the superintendent and treasurer, and guide collective bargaining.
I intend to work with the public and engage the community for feedback. Within that primary function is a commitment to public involvement, providing my opinions as necessary and supporting the will of the majority if I find myself with a dissenting opinion. I believe that the school board embodies the democratic process for the community to have input on our schools and this is the most efficient way to do so with respect and decorum. I believe the role of a local school board is to support our teachers and district employees because without them, we cannot have an effective school system.
If elected, my role would be one of a communicator, advocate and facilitator. Productive dialogue is paramount to a successful district. Quite a few of the issues that occur within any organization are driven by substandard communication. I intend to keep an open and constant dialogue with the members of our community, including parents, students, and staff. The best way to do this is to listen, ask clarifying questions, and follow up with any required actions.
Having an exceptional school district requires hard work, and keeping high standards takes even more work. I am willing and able to devote the time and energy to ensure we meet the goals and expectations that our community has of us. I want to be a partner to students, staff and parents to help the district be the best that we can be. My constituents are people that are ready to try something different. Change only comes with new ideas and new passion for the position.
Communication. Supporting the needs of our community is a relatively straightforward idea. First, I would solicit feedback from the community. Then I would find out what the current situation is in our schools. Lastly, you make recommendations for changes or improvements. Sometimes the solution is already available but it isn't widely known. Other times, changes to the process are necessary. This all can only happen if there is open and honest, two-way communication between the district and the community.
Communication. Most of our board does not engage with the public. That needs to change. I will communicate daily on social media and I will hold monthly townhall meetings where anyone can come in and discuss matters in person. I will target the Pickerington community. Everyone that lives in the district should feel comfortable bringing their concerns to the table and actually be heard.
The administrative team is responsible for evaluating our staff members. That is not the role of a Board member.
We have to show the public exactly what their money is being spent on. There is a myth in education that there is excessive waste in the budget but that is not accurate. Our teachers are doing more than ever with fewer resources. We need to show our local community what their current money is paying for and what additional funds can cover. We also need advocacy with our state officials to show exactly how their decisions are impacting our schools. Funding public education is at a crisis point and we can do much better.
Having a safe learning environment is paramount for our schools. This covers everything from ensuring safety equipment is correctly functioning (cameras, locks, secure double door entrances) to ensuring the people in the building are taking our security policies seriously and abiding by them. We already have local law enforcement present for several hours of each day but this also starts at home. We need more social workers in the district to help identify kids in crisis. We need lower class sizes to allow teachers to spend more time with each of our students. When kids feel seen and heard, you can identify potential problem areas earlier and prevent issues from happening.
We need more social workers and counselors in our district. We don't have nearly enough of either to adequately support the almost 12,000 students in our district. If we want to take mental health seriously, we will add more staffing in both areas.
Our districts challenges are not found in policy but in communication, trust, and finances. I do not seek to change any existing policy.
Pickerington Education Association
Pickerington Support Staff Association
Mark Hensen - PLSD School Board Member
Kevin Kemper - Pickerington City Councilman
Brian Wisniewski - Pickerington City Councilman A classroom ratio of no more than 22 students per classroom with adequate technology in each and every classroom. Our class sizes are too big and we do not always have the same technology and resources available across all of our classrooms. We can do better on both topics.
Be available to them to help address their concerns. When people feel heard and validated, they will start to trust that you care about what is going on. The second step is to follow through. I cannot solve every problem but I know that I can help resolve problems.
We need to be actively much earlier in the hiring cycle. We are losing out on great candidates simply because we are waiting too long in the Spring to recruit. Let's move up the timeline. We also need a better compentation package. PLSD is not as attactive of an employer as our peer districts.
AI is the future and we must teach our kids to use it responsibly. I use AI in my job every day and most industries are doing the same. Kids need to know how AI can be beneficial and how it can also be dangerous. This is not solely a school district function as parents should also be involved in this same discussion at home.
I spoke to a teacher last week and she said her biggest accomplishment was that she hasn't cried yet this school year. People do not realize the toll educators take when dealing with the complexities of the educational system. We can do better for our students and our teachers.
My 3 kids. They are better versions of my wife and I. I am running for School Board, for them.
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
Ryan Holstine completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Holstine's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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My family and I have been residents of Pickerington for the past 15 years. We have 3 children attending school in the district. Community members may recognize me from Seton Parish where I have served in several different capacities including teaching Religious Education, being elected to Pastoral Council and serving as both a Mass Coordinator and a Eucharistic Minister. I have volunteered my time over the course of numerous seasons for PASA, PYAA softball and I9 Basketball. I served as a trustee on the Winding Creek HOA, getting to know many neighbors and helping make decisions to better our neighborhood and community. I have been very involved in the Toll Gate Elementary PTSO for the past 5 years as the Communications and Social Media Chair. Additionally, I have devoted my time to our community by serving on the Charter Review Board for the City of Pickerington in 2010.
Finally, I was also led to serve our country by deploying to Camp Leatherneck in Afghanistan for 6 months to support our Marines and Operation Enduring Freedom.
- Improve communication and transparency with the community.
- Supporting a revitalized bond issue to address overcrowding.
- Advocating for a revised school calendar that accomodates families.
I am running to serve my community, listen to their needs and ensure our children have all the opportunities possible in our schools. I have 3 children in Pickerington schools, and I believe in public education. I have a vested interest in making our schools the best they possibly can be. I have always been civically minded and I do not hesitate to volunteer, serve and/or lead when the opportunity presents itself. My wife and I also teach our children that being a part of the solution is always the best way to be engaged in the community.
I have observed a gap in our current board when it comes to communication with the public and advocating for the needs of our community, and I believe I can help fill that void. Additionally, we need more classroom space for our students. To do this, we need a bond issue that reflects the desires of the community. Lastly, our school calendar should be revised to accommodate working families. 2-hour delays for professional development should be consolidated into 1 full day.
I look up to my maternal grandfather, Richard Bolling. I like to follow example of people that do the right thing even when it isn't popular. I like to follow people that have honesty, integrity and compassion.
Honesty, integrity, transparency and the ability to listen to the public. If we have a school board filled with individuals that embody all of these characteristics, our district will be heads and shoulders above the rest.
The primary function of a local school board is to set policy for the school district, establish budgets, hire the superintendent and treasurer, and guide collective bargaining.
I intend to work with the public and engage the community for feedback. Within that primary function is a commitment to public involvement, providing my opinions as necessary and supporting the will of the majority if I find myself with a dissenting opinion. I believe that the school board embodies the democratic process for the community to have input on our schools and this is the most efficient way to do so with respect and decorum. I believe the role of a local school board is to support our teachers and district employees because without them, we cannot have an effective school system.
If elected, my role would be one of a communicator, advocate and facilitator. Productive dialogue is paramount to a successful district. Quite a few of the issues that occur within any organization are driven by substandard communication. I intend to keep an open and constant dialogue with the members of our community, including parents, students, and staff. The best way to do this is to listen, ask clarifying questions, and follow up with any required actions.
Having an exceptional school district requires hard work, and keeping high standards takes even more work. I am willing and able to devote the time and energy to ensure we meet the goals and expectations that our community has of us. I want to be a partner to students, staff and parents to help the district be the best that we can be. September 6, 1995. Cal Ripken broke Lou Gehrig's record for most consecutive MLB games played. I was 11.
My first real job was working for Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services. I managed an inbound customer call center for 3 years.
The primary function of a local school board is to set policy for the school district, establish budgets, hire the superintendent and treasurer, and guide collective bargaining.
I intend to work with the public and engage the community for feedback. Within that primary function is a commitment to public involvement, providing my opinions as necessary and supporting the will of the majority if I find myself with a dissenting opinion. I believe that the school board embodies the democratic process for the community to have input on our schools and this is the most efficient way to do so with respect and decorum. I believe the role of a local school board is to support our teachers and district employees because without them, we cannot have an effective school system.
If elected, my role would be one of a communicator, advocate and facilitator. Productive dialogue is paramount to a successful district. Quite a few of the issues that occur within any organization are driven by substandard communication. I intend to keep an open and constant dialogue with the members of our community, including parents, students, and staff. The best way to do this is to listen, ask clarifying questions, and follow up with any required actions.
Having an exceptional school district requires hard work, and keeping high standards takes even more work. I am willing and able to devote the time and energy to ensure we meet the goals and expectations that our community has of us. I want to be a partner to students, staff and parents to help the district be the best that we can be.
My constituents are people that are ready to try something different. Change only comes with new ideas and new passion for the position.
Communication. Supporting peoples needs is a relatively straightforward idea. First, I would solicit feedback from the community. Then I would find out what the current situation is in our schools. Lastly, you make recommendations for changes or improvements. Sometimes the solution is already available but it isn't widely known. Other times, changes to the process are necessary. This all can only happen if there is open and honest, two-way communication between the district and the community.
Communication. Most of our board does not engage with the public. That needs to change. I will communicate daily on social media and I will hold monthly townhall meetings where anyone can come in and discuss matters in person. I will target the Pickerington community. Everyone that lives in the district should feel comfortable bringing their concerns to the table and actually be heard.
Yes. Target the groups you want to hire from. If you need to increase one gender over the other, have a hiring event targeting that gender. If you would like to increase diversity hiring, focus on organizations that promote the candidates. You can set up hiring events with HBCU's or with Hispanic or Asian leadership groups., etc... I believe we should recruit from all sources and ensure we are interviewing the best candidates.
Lack of communication and transparency. Most times communication breaks down between the district and parents and then parents feel like they are blindsided. We can change this by establishing clear response expectations. i.e. if you reach out to a teacher or administrator, you will receive a response within XX time.
Also, all communication should be returned. If a parent is taking the time out of their day to contact a school district official, they are owed some sort of response. We have numerous examples in our district where this doesn't happen. If we communicate effectively, most of the issues that pop up can be resolved before they become significant.
I will leave this to the experts. Teachers know how to teach our children best. I would like to get out of their way and let them foster an amazing learning environment. If a teacher is doing their job, you should be able to measure the progress and growth of the student over the course of the school year.
I would like to get out of the way to let the experts and let teachers teach and let the board set the policy. I would like to see specific goals set for college readiness and career readiness and begin to measure those goals long term. Ultimately, the schools can only do so much before we have to rely on the drive of individual students and the support systems they have in place at home.
We need to pass a bond issue. Our schools are already overcrowded and passing a bond issue will not allow for relief for several years while we build schools. To do this, we need to incorporate community feedback and put forth a bond issue that can be supported the first time. We do not have time to keep trying to pass bond issues that the community clearly does not support. Our district (and many others) need to continue to apply pressure to the Ohio General Assembly to come up with a better way to fund schools. We simply cannot continue to ask homeowners to pay for the schools.
Open dialogue between staff and students is paramount to safety in schools. If staff know what to look for and students know what could happen when rules are broken, this will set the correct expectation. For any student that chooses to break the rules, we should have transparency and consistency with repercussions. Alternative deterrents for lesser offenses should also be considered. These can be counseling sessions with the guidance counselor or school social worker.
I also believe that school resource officers are absolutely required for grades 7 through 12. Obviously any SRO should have proper credentials and training so that we can ensure our student population will be interacted with appropriately.
School counselors and social workers are sorely understaffed and underfunded. Students should all get an opportunity to interact with either a school counselor or a social worker on a consistent basis. All to often we hear that people had no idea that things are going on at home or outside of school. Schools cannot solve every problem but consistent touchpoints with trained professionals could go a long way in mitigating negative outcomes.
Technology is here to stay and our reliance on it will only increase over the coming years. We already have devices for every student and they are being used daily. We need to improve access to online classes and virtual schools. Ideally I would like to have PLSD staff teaching these classes and not a third party vendor. Online schools exist all over the country so we will not have to start from ground zero. Ongoing training and professional development for our staff will be crucial in delivering both technology and online curriculum.
Thankfully we are coming out of the Covid-19 Pandemic and we have found a way to have our kids be in the classroom 5 days a week. Within a matter of weeks, a vaccine will be available to all of those that would like to get it. I do not believe in mandatory masks or mandatory vaccines. I believe in parental rights. Only a parent knows what's best for their child.
Communicate with them. A school district requires multiple parties to run efficiently and parents make up one of the required parties. Many school boards forget this. Parental rights are a huge issue for me and my campaign. A parent does get to have input into what their child is exposed to and taught.
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
External links
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 16, 2021
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 10, 2025
