Groveport Madison names new superintendent

By Rick Palsgrove
Southeast Editor

The Groveport Madison school district has a new leader.

On May 25, the Groveport Madison Board of Education unanimously approved hiring Garilee Ogden as the district’s new superintendent.

Ogden was awarded a three-year contract beginning on Aug. 1, as well as an interim superintendent contract, which allows her to begin her duties on July 1. Her annual salary will be $140,000.

Ogden has served as the director of curriculum, instruction and professional development for Groveport Madison Schools for the past two years. She succeeds Interim Superintendent John Hurd. Hurd has served as interim superintendent since February when previous superintendent Bruce Hoover resigned.

“Garilee has an excellent service record with the district,” said Board President Bryan Shoemaker. “After extensive interviews with several candidates, the board feels she is the best person for the job because of her leadership and communication skills, as well as her willingness and desire to take the district to the next level. We believe she has the expertise to work collaboratively with the board, the staff, and community to help establish an exemplary vision and direction for the future.”

Ogden said she was attracted to the job because of the “great potential of the district’s students, staff, and the community.”

She is eager to help get the new high school up and running. She also wants to conduct an analysis of the district to “make sure all of our departments are operating efficiently.”

When asked what she saw as the district’s strengths, Ogden said, “Our teachers and also the great advantage we have of one-to-one technology for our students. We have a really sound curriculum process for instruction that creates opportunities for our students.”

Ogden said the community is also a strength.

“I want to work to build relationships with the community and collaborate with our stakeholders, as well as get more people involved on a personal level to help address our district’s needs,” said Ogden.

Ogden earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication from New Mexico State University in 1994, and her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from New Mexico State in 1997. She received her educational administration certification and superintendent license from New Mexico State in 2000 and 2017.

She began her educational career in 1994 as newspaper reporter covering school and government events for the “Deming Headlight/Las Cruses Sun News.” Prior to moving to Ohio, she served as a teacher, principal and director for the Deming Public Schools in Las Cruses, New Mexico. She was hired by South-Western City Schools as an intermediate school principal in 2008, was recruited by Dublin City Schools to be an elementary school principal in 2010, and then served as the director of professional development and accountability for Upper Arlington City Schools/Battelle for Kids, in 2013.

“I am honored to have the privilege to serve the students, staff and community of Groveport Madison Local Schools,” Ogden said. “I am excited to continue our work with our dedicated staff to ensure the best educational experiences for the students in our district. I look forward to meeting our community members and working with community agencies to partner and collaborate to continue providing our students with nothing but the best.”