October 21, 2025
By Rachel Scofield

Brooke LaGrasso, a longtime educator and Pickerington resident, is running for Pickerington Local School District Board of Education because she believes in the power of strong public schools to unite and uplift the community.

“As an educator and community member, I became increasingly concerned with the direction our district was heading,” LaGrasso said. “The more I researched, the more troubling it became. We live in a well-resourced, diverse city, and our schools should reflect that strength and promise.”

LaGrasso grew up in metro Detroit, the oldest of three sisters. She moved to Las Vegas in 2006, then to Columbus in 2011, before settling in Pickerington in 2016, where she and her family are active members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“Our church family has been such a blessing,” she said. “Faith and community are very important to us.”

She has been married for 22 years to her husband Ben. Their oldest son, Harry, graduated from Pickerington Central in 2024 and now participates in Project Search, a job-training partnership between PLSD, Goodwill, Fairfield Career Center, and OOD. Their younger son, Cameron, plays cello and guitar, taking lessons through Rock Factory Studios and studying cello with Vincente Quach.

LaGrasso has worked as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired for 18 years, currently serving students in grades K-12 across Columbus City Schools.

“I teach with joy,” she said. “If your child is on my caseload, I bring the same energy I’d want someone to bring to mine.”

She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a master’s in education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Her priorities include:

• Adequate funding to avoid cuts that hurt students and staff
• Full-day kindergarten and flexible learning environments
• Fair, sustainable school funding at the state level

“The current funding structure in Ohio is not working,” she said. “We need to relieve the enormous burden of school funding from homeowners. It’s unethical and unsustainable.”

LaGrasso said her teaching experience gives her an essential perspective for the board.

“A teacher adds a powerful, unique voice,” she said. “I speak education. I understand how board decisions impact classrooms and learning.”

Outside of work, LaGrasso enjoys reading, spooky stories, and competitive powerlifting, where she’s “chasing a 500-pound deadlift.”

Parent Testimonial

One parent shared a heartfelt message about LaGrasso’s impact on her son:

“I wanted to take time and show appreciation and give a genuine thank you to Ms. Brooke. She’s been a true blessing since she’s been a part of my son Quantrell Musick.

He struggled with the will and interest in school and attending daily, and I thought he was going to fail in life. She helped open his eyes, showing him there’s so much he was missing — how talented and smart he is. The whole team plays a huge part in everything.

Brooke has always answered all my calls, answered all questions. Even if she didn’t know, she wouldn’t quit until she got answers. I love her determination and love for all her students and families, always showing up — that’s what matters the most.

Perfect of any person. She makes a connection with no judgment. Loyal, respectful, honest, very patient, understanding.

Thank you for everything.”

— Elizabeth Musick