Carrie McCulloch

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Carrie McCulloch

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

High school

Andrean High School

Bachelor's

Xavier University

Graduate

Northern Arizona University

Personal

Birthplace

Valparaiso, Ind.

Religion

Catholic

Profession

Educator

Contact

Campaign website

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Carrie McCulloch ran for election for an at-large seat of the Cave Creek Unified School District in Arizona. She lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

McCulloch completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Carrie McCulloch was born in Valparaiso, Indiana. She earned a bachelor's degree from Xavier University and a graduate degree from Northern Arizona University. Her career experience includes working as an educator.

Elections

2024

See also: Cave Creek Unified School District, Arizona, elections (2024)

General election

General election for Cave Creek Unified School District, At-large (3 seats)

The following candidates ran in the general election for Cave Creek Unified School District, At-large on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jeff Fortney (Nonpartisan)	16.6	15,589
✔		Dan Moore (Nonpartisan)	15.7	14,698
✔	Submit photo	Brianna Lynn Walker (Nonpartisan)	15.3	14,366
	Submit photo	Sheri Lopez (Nonpartisan)	13.6	12,774
	Submit photo	Cody Reim (Nonpartisan)	13.5	12,662
		Carrie McCulloch (Nonpartisan)	13.3	12,431
	Submit photo	Stacey Goodman (Nonpartisan)	11.7	10,999
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	144

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 93,663
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for McCulloch in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Carrie McCulloch completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by McCulloch's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Carrie McCulloch, and I am running for the Cave Creek Governing Board because of my unwavering passion for our schools. My husband and I have three boys. Our older two are recent graduates of Cactus Shadows High School and our youngest is currently at Lone Mountain Elementary School. I have a vested interest in our community. With over 25 years of experience as an educator, including over 20 years in multiple roles in Cave Creek, I have instructed almost 1,000 students in the community. I understand the challenges our district currently faces, such as staff retention, financial disparities, and declining student numbers. My goal is to continue and improve upon a transparent and accountable district that supports teachers and prioritizes students. I also hope to work together with the community to find creative ways to support our school financially. It should not be the district versus the community, rather everyone working together to find solutions. I have no political agenda. My campaign is driven by my passion as a professional and a parent to keep students as our top priority.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• We need to focus on retaining and recruiting high-quality staff members. One important aspect of this is finding ways to increase salaries. Currently, we are among the lowest-paying districts in the area. Given that our community is not supportive of passing a bond or override, we need to explore alternative funding possibilities. In the past, our district has been innovative, and I want to continue collaborating with our community to develop creative solutions. It's also crucial that our staff feels valued and heard. They are dedicated members of our community, and we must demonstrate our respect for their contributions. Staff needs to feel appreciated.
• We must focus on maintaining and increasing student enrollment, which starts with having excellent educators in our classrooms. Our district is home to some outstanding teachers, and it’s essential that we retain them while also welcoming new talent. Additionally, we need to enhance our communication with the community. It's important to share discussions and decisions so that everyone is informed and can express their opinions. Listening to the desires of parents and the community regarding their children’s education is crucial for increasing enrollment. We should gather data and make changes based on that feedback.
• We must address the financial disparities within our district. Historically, we haven’t had success in passing bonds or overrides, and rebuilding trust with our community is essential before we can pursue those options. Fortunately, we have many knowledgeable community members whose skills we can use to support our schools. In the past, some schools converted to public charter schools for additional funding. We should explore other creative solutions. Additionally, we need to collaborate with our legislators on issues like possibly increasing tax credit amounts, retaining tax revenue within Cave Creek, and addressing the financial restrictions public schools face. Together, we can implement the necessary changes to strengthen our schools.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about providing the best education for our students.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

My servant leadership style distinguishes me from others. I am always available for support. A key part of that is knowing how to listen. This goes beyond simply hearing, it’s about truly understanding and making people feel valued. I avoid interrupting or defending my position, instead choosing to listen for understanding. Once the person has expressed their thoughts, we work collaboratively to find the root cause of the issue and find solutions that meet everyone’s needs.

In my current role as an alternative dispute resolution specialist, I train district staff to foster collaboration and build a culture that strengthens relationships between schools and families. This role has helped me grow in my own personal communication skills that in turn help others.

My leadership approach also emphasizes the importance of showing appreciation for even the smallest contributions. When people feel valued, they perform better, benefiting everyone involved. I genuinely care about others and their success. I am not motivated by personal gain, but by helping others. My effectiveness relies on the strength of those around me!

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

I believe that a school board member's responsibility is to uphold the law, adhere to governing board policies, analyze data, and listen to community feedback. Every decision must be thoughtfully evaluated with the best interests of our students at the forefront.

How would you support the diverse needs of your district’s students, faculty, staff, and community?

Having spent over 20 years in various roles within our district, I have a deep understanding of its dynamics and the needs of our staff. My long-standing relationships with many staff members have given me valuable insights. I’ve taught over 1,000 students here, fostering strong connections with numerous community members. As a parent of two recent graduates from Cactus Shadows High School and a current student at Lone Mountain Elementary School, I also bring the perspective of a parent to the table.

What constitutes good teaching? How will you measure this? How will you support advanced teaching approaches?

Effective teaching strategies are centered on student engagement. Teachers must have the resources needed to implement a strong curriculum and communicate knowledge effectively to their students. Students should then apply that knowledge through real-world projects that incorporate hands-on experiences, which will maintain their interest and enhance their learning.

Describe your ideal learning environment for students.

I believe an ideal learning environment for students has several key characteristics. First, it should feature a flexibility that accommodates different learning styles. Some students learn best while seated, while others prefer standing. Flexible seating options ensure that students are comfortable. Having a background in special education, I am aware that simple accommodations can make a world of difference.

It’s also crucial for students to feel safe both physically and emotionally. They need to know they are respected by both staff and peers, allowing them to share their thoughts and ask questions without fear of judgment.

Hands-on learning that utilizes a range of resources is also essential. Since everyone learns differently, students should have the opportunity to express their knowledge in a variety of ways. Incorporating technology, books, the arts, and project-based learning techniques helps to personalize education and make school a meaningful experience.

What will you do to build a relationship with parents in the district?

Building strong relationships is essential for success. Trust is crucial. To foster that trust, we need to genuinely listen to one another. This means listening to understand, not just hearing. It's important to consider all perspectives and collaborate on finding solutions. In my current role, I train districts on how to partner with families to resolve conflicts, sharing effective conflict resolution and communication strategies. By treating each other with respect and kindness, we can achieve our goals together.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Candidate

Cave Creek Unified School District, At-large

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