Born and raised in Cincinnati, Carolyn Jones resides in the College Hill community. The daughter of working-class parents who did not graduate high school, Ms. Jones and her brother learned the value of a good education and the benefit of a strong work ethic. A proud product of Cincinnati Public's Rockdale Elementary School and Hughes High School, Ms. Jones went on to receive her undergraduate degree in social work in 1975 and her graduate degree in Rehabilitation Counseling in 1990 — both from the University of Cincinnati.

First elected to the Cincinnati Public School Board of Education in 2016, Ms. Jones previously served on the North College Hill City Schools Board of Education for eight years. Earlier this year, she was re-appointed by her Board colleagues to represent Cincinnati Public Schools on the Ohio School Board Association Board of Trustees and SW Region Executive Committee, where she is entrusted to lend guidance and make decisions that impact students across the state of Ohio.

Ms. Jones' professional career spans over 40 years of service in both the private and public sector mental health services delivery. She retired from employment with the Hamilton County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board; her professional career was focused on improving the quality of life for adults and children with persistent mental illness. Ms. Jones’ experience has encompassed provision of direct services, program management, system planning and coordination. Over her 29-year tenure with the county, her greatest achievement as a mental health professional occurred as the project director for a $9 million federally funded grant to transform system of care for transition-age youth and young adults with serious emotional disturbance and multi-system needs. This program was implemented successfully and continues to be fully sustained as a valued component of Hamilton County's public mental health system. 

On a more personal note, Ms. Jones is an avid fan of the sport of fast-pitch softball, having played competitive softball for 25 years and has spent more than 10 years coaching and instructing girls at beginner levels through high school. Believing that "it takes a village to raise a child," it is through involvement with this sport that she was able to help these young ladies learn life skills, strength of purpose, patience, and persistence. She is the mother of two, grandmother of seven, and great-grandmother of three.

Ms. Jones is dedicated to ensuring that every child has an equitable opportunity to achieve success in education as they move beyond their high school years. She is very proud of the collective efforts of the Cincinnati Public Schools Board of Education to achieve excellence.

Current Committees and Board Appointments: https://www.cps-k12.org/boardcommittees

Years of Service: 2016 - present
President: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
Vice President: 2022
Term expires: December 31, 2023

If you would like to contact Ms. Jones, please email jonesca@cpsboe.k12.oh.us or jonesca@cps-k12.org.