Board of Education

Mrs. Jennifer Lynch, President of the 2025 WCHCS Board of Education, and her husband, Zach ‘94, have three children. Eli is a 2020 graduate of WHS, Ellie is a 2022 graduate of WHS, and Mollie is a Blue Lion Junior.

Mrs. Lynch was first elected to the WCHCS Board of Education in November, 2011. Recently reelected, Jennifer’s fourth consecutive term runs through December, 2027.  She currently serves as the board’s OSBA Student Achievement Liaison.

Dr. Zach Camp, Vice President of the 2025 WCHCS Board of Education, is a proud Blue Lion Alumnus, graduating from Washington Senior High School in 2004. While in school, Zach participated in Student Government Forum, Hi-Y, choir, musicals, and football. Dr. Camp was a seven-year member of the Academy of Scholars.

Following high school, Dr. Camp attended the Ohio State University, earning his B.A. in Chemistry in 2008 and Doctor of Pharmacy in 2013.

Zach is married to WSHS classmate Megan (Williams) Camp ’04, and together they have two sons, Liam and Owen who are both students in the district.

“I ran for school board to give back to the school district that gave so much to me,” explained Dr. Camp, “and to do all I can to help our schools grow and evolve for our students and community.”

Dr. Camp serves as a pharmacist with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. 

When first elected to the board, Zach said, “I am excited to see the development of new opportunities in STEM and exploring additional vocational education for our students.”

Dr. Camp was elected in November, 2021, to the unexpired two-year term, beginning his service in January, 2022. Recently reelected, Zach’s current term runs through December, 2027.  He currently serves as the board’s OSBA Legislative Liaison.

Mr. Mark Chrisman is a proud Blue Lion Alumnus, graduating from Washington Senior High School in 1983. While in school, Mark participated in Hi-Y, N.H.S., and DECA, where he competed in the State Competition. Mr. Chrisman was named Vocational Student of the Month and earned the National Science Merit Award for Chemistry.

Following high school, Mark studied Accounting at Clark State, graduating in 1985.

“When I decided to run the first time, our four children were all enrolled at WCHCS, so I had a vested interest,” Mr. Chrisman explained his decision to run for school board. “I felt that I could offer a fresh perspective. I decided to return because I realized that with grandchildren attending, I still wanted to help guide the direction that our district would follow.”

Mark has been married to his wife, Lori Chrisman, for 35 years. Together they have 4 children and 10 grandchildren, all of which have graduated from, are currently attending, or (when old enough) will be enrolled at WCHCS.

When asked about his favorite memories during his tenure on the board, he said “all of the times that we didn’t see eye to eye on different decisions. No matter the outcome, we all worked through it together. Once the decision was made, we accepted it as a board and moved on. Through it all we each had the same goal that was what was best for the students.”

Mr. Chrisman served the district and community on the Capture the Dream Building Committee, however, he states that his proudest moment as a school board member happens each year at Graduation and Academy of Scholars.

When he’s not at school board meetings, Mark is the Service Manager for Chrisman H2O and attends Unity Fellowship Church.  He also represents the district by serving on the Great Oaks Board of Directors.

Mr. Chrisman ran for election in November, 2007, and served two terms from January 2008 until December 2015, not seeking reelection. Two years later, Mark returned to the board in November, 2017.  Mr. Chrisman’s current term runs from January, 2022, to December, 2025.

Mrs. Wendy Jo Downing is the newest member of the WCHCS Board of Education.   Elected to her first term on November 7, 2023, Mrs. Downing’s term runs from January, 2024, to December, 2027.

Mrs. Downing is a 1999 graduate of McClain High School of Greenfield, Ohio.  Utilizing the skills acquired through her studies in Business Management at Southern State Community College, Wendy Jo and her husband, Joseph Downing, are the owners of Buckeye Express Ohio LLC, a freight delivery company serving Columbus and the surrounding areas.

“I decided to run for school board because I have kids that attend the school,” said Mrs. Downing.   “I also feel like I can offer a new and effective perspective to our community.  I want to help blend the lines of communication so that we can all come together for the interest and growth of the children.”

The Downings have a large, blended family of Blue Lions. Their children, Whitney Downing and Destanie (Leach) Carter, graduated from Washington High School in 2012 and 2021, respectively. Senior Madison Young and Sophomore Andrew Young are current students at WHS, and Colton Downing will start Kindergarten in the fall.

Serving in her first term, Mrs. Downing expressed her excitement about joining the school board, stating, “I am most excited about learning the practices of our district.   I am excited to be a part of the growth of our schools.”

Mr. Ken Upthegrove is a proud Blue Lion Alumnus, graduating from Washington Senior High School in 1977.

Mr. Upthegrove has a long history with the Blue Lion Family. Applying the skills he learned at Laurel Oaks as a high school student, Ken began working in the WCHCS maintenance department in 1982, eventually earning the supervisory role a decade later. In extracurricular activities, Mr. Upthegrove started the F.C.A. program in 1985, and coached the 8th grade boys basketball team for many years.

Upon completing his degree in Vocational Education at Wright State University, Ken moved to the classroom and began teaching Blue Lions and students from across southern Ohio at Laurel Oaks in the construction trades from 1995 until his retirement in 2007.

Mr. Upthegrove married his wife, Melissa, in 1998, and together they have three sons. Kenny ’17 is a 2021 graduate of the University of Cincinnati, Evan ’19 is pursuing an electrician apprenticeship, and Nathan is a Senior at WHS.
From teaching Sunday School to various youth group involvement, Ken has been an active member of Heritage Church for many decades.

When asked why he ran for the board of education, Mr. Upthegrove said, “I wanted to serve and to try to make a difference for the students of Washington Court House City Schools.”

Ken was appointed to the board in May, 1996, to fill a vacancy. Mr. Upthegrove was elected to his first term in November, 1997, where he has continued to serve for six consecutive terms. Ken’s current term runs from January, 2022, to December, 2025.