Michael Dulin

Michael Dulin is a lifelong resident of the Groveport Madison School District and a proud graduate of the district. All three of his children attended Groveport Madison schools, and one of his grandchildren is currently enrolled. Dulin has worked in school maintenance for many years, including more than five years with Groveport Madison Schools before transferring to another district.

Dulin says he is running out of concern for the district. Concerns that stem from student safety and wasteful spending.

He emphasizes an importance of board unity and professionalism and cited the current civil case among current board members.

Dulin said one of his priorities would be developing a long-term safety and facilities plan that’s fiscally responsible. Despite his concerns, he remains proud of the district’s heritage.

Ashley Zimmer

Ashley Zimmer is running for the Groveport Madison School Board. While she has no prior government experience, Zimmer attends and participates in school board meetings and other district events.

Professionally, Zimmer works in the legal field, giving her a strong understanding of policy, process, and accountability. She said she wants to bring a parent’s perspective to the board.

Zimmer said her focus is on restoring effective leadership and professionalism to the board.

She plans to hold leadership accountable, ask hard questions, and ensure every decision serves the best interests of students, families, and staff.

Zimmer says one of the district’s biggest challenges is overcrowding. She supports developing a long-term, transparent plan with community input, virtual participation options, and structured checkpoints to track progress and costs. She also emphasized fiscal responsibility through competitive bidding for major projects.

Zimmer praises the district’s teachers, noting the district excels in hiring compassionate, student-focused educators.

Outside of board service, Zimmer is a founding member of the Dunloe Elementary PTA, serves on the District Safety Committee and Parental Advisory Committee, coaches youth soccer, and volunteers in schools. Zimmer and her husband of nine years have two children in Groveport Madison Schools. She is an active participant in local events and a proud Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Browns fan.

Seth Bower

My name is Seth Bower, and I’m honored to be running for re-election to the Groveport Madison Local School Board. Serving our district has been one of the great privileges of my life, and I remain committed to keeping our schools safe, strong, and centered on student success.

During my time on the board, I’ve focused on academic growth, student safety, and open communication with families, staff, and residents. My approach to leadership is simple: serve first, lead with integrity, and always do what’s best for our kids and community.

In the next term, I hope to work closely with families and educators to strengthen academic programs, support student achievement, and provide more opportunities for students to develop leadership skills.

My family and I are proud to call Groveport home, and I’m driven to lead and ready to serve our community’s future.

Dionna Herbert

I’m not a politician – I’m a mom, a coach, and a working professional who believes our kids deserve better. I was raised by a single mother who taught me the value of hard work and doing what’s right, even when it’s hard. I’ve been working since I was 13, graduated from Independence High School at 16, and earned my bachelor’s degree from Auburn University at Montgomery while working two jobs.

For the past 20 years, I’ve worked in human resources, earning my SHRM-CP certification and building a career focused on fairness, communication, and strong workplace culture. My experience has taught me how to bring people together, solve tough problems, and make systems work better for everyone.

I moved a lot growing up, so I know how much stability and community mean. My kids have that here in Groveport Madison School District and that’s why I’m running. I want to protect what’s good, fix what’s not, and make sure every child in our district has the chance to succeed.

Lori Foltz-Rea

Lori Foltz-Rea, Ph.D., has a lot of experience in planning, policy, communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and critical thinking. She has worked for the Toledo Public Schools, McGraw-Hill Education, the University of Cincinnati, and Pickerington Local Schools. As a board member, Lori will work with others to create a clear vision for the board that aligns with the needs of the school district. She believes that the board can define their roles for the students and staff of the district, while regaining the community’s trust on a cohesive school board. Furthermore, Lori believes the Board should support teachers and staff to prepare all students for work, college, or the military to become productive and happy citizens, while, hopefully, residing in our school district

Larry Carey

Larry Carey is a longtime educator and community advocate with over 20 years of experience serving Ohio’s children. He has worked as a PreK teacher and currently works as a Climate and Culture Systems Consultant with Columbus City Schools and leads Larry Carey LTD, a firm focused on education, leadership, and community engagement. A father and mentor, Larry believes in collaboration, transparency, and sparking the minds that will one day change the world.

I believe transparency and accountability are essential to maintaining trust between the school board and the community we serve. While I am not directly involved in the current civil case, I understand the concerns many taxpayers have regarding the use of district funds. As a candidate, my focus is on ensuring that every dollar spent by the district is used responsibly and in ways that directly benefit our students, staff, and classrooms.

If elected, I will advocate for open communication, fiscal responsibility, and clear explanations to the public whenever district resources are utilized for legal or operational matters. Our community deserves both clarity and confidence in how their tax dollars are managed.

Biographical blurbs were submitted by candidates. No responses were received from LaToya Dowdell-Burger, though attempts were made.