Governing Board

Governing Board Members

Sophia Carrillo, President

Sophia’s leadership is rooted in the belief that “Student outcomes don't change until adult behaviors change,” a principle inspired by AJ Crabill. She embodies the idea of “Governance that listens, students that lead,” fostering an environment that empowers every student to take charge of their educational future.

El liderazgo de Sophia se basa en la idea de que "los resultados académicos de los estudiantes no cambian hasta que los comportamientos de los adultos cambien", un principio inspirado por AJ Crabill. Ella representa el concepto de "Gobernanza que escucha, estudiantes que lideran", creando un ambiente donde cada estudiante toma el control de su futuro academico.

To contact Ms. Carrillo Dahl click here.

Katie Gipson McLean, Vice-President

Katie Gipson-McLean was born, raised, and resides in East Phoenix. She lives in her childhood home with her husband, Reese, and their two sons. She is a fourth generation Arizonan, and daughter of two retired military veterans. Katie attended Monte Vista Elementary and Biltmore Preparatory Academy from 1991 to 2001 and she graduated from Camelback High School in 2005. She became a first-generation college graduate when she earned her B.A. Degree in Secondary Education Social Studies from Arizona State University in 2009. After graduating from college, Katie moved to Portland and dedicated the first five years of her career to education and youth work. Following her work in Portland, she attended Willamette University College of Law in Salem, Oregon and graduated with her Doctor of Jurisprudence in 2017. Katie is a proud member of or her sorority, Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc., and has served over six years on the National Board of Directors. Katie currently works as a Deputy Public Defender in Maricopa County where she represents community members charged with felony offenses who cannot afford to hire an attorney. She is passionate about systems change and volunteers her time on various committees at the municipal and school district level, for Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice (AACJ), and on various political campaigns and causes.

To contact Ms. Gipson McLean click here.

Heather Ayres, Member

Heather Ayres was elected to the Creighton Governing Board in 2020. She is an Arizona native, living in Mesa and Phoenix her whole life. She and her wife, Wendy, fell in love with the Creighton area and decided to buy a house there. Heather has been in education for over 20 years. She worked as a paraprofessional in Mesa for 3 years before earning her Bachelor’s degree from ASU in 2000, with a degree in Elementary Education. She worked in Mesa for half a year as a permanent sub, then got a job in the Isaac School District where she still teaches 5th grade today. She has served on many district committees, and has served as President of the Isaac District Education Association for the last 4 years. She loves working together with the district to make sure it is the best place for students to learn. Heather is looking forward to learning more about the Creighton Community and working with students, parents, staff, and the community to make sure it reaches its full potential. She is excited to serve in another district in a different capacity that brings about positive changes and celebrates the phenomenal things already happening in Creighton.

To contact Ms. Ayres click here.

Tristan Jones, Member

Tristan Jones was elected to the Creighton Elementary School District Governing Board in 2024. He is a father to two students attending Biltmore Preparatory Academy. He has lived in the district for the past 11 years with his wife Christina, in Arizona for 31 years and attended Mesa Public Schools from Kindergarten to 12th grade, graduating from Red Mountain High School in 1998. From 2004 to 2009, Tristan served in the United States Army as a combat medic, deploying to Iraq twice. While serving, Tristan earned the Purple Heart and Army Commendation Medals. After his military service and a brief period of living in Washington D.C., in 2012 Tristan moved back to Arizona with his wife to return to Arizona State University to finish his degree with the GI Bill. In 2014, he graduated with a B.A. in Earth and Environmental Studies and a minor in History. Despite starting an exciting job at the Arizona Department of Water Resources as a Field Hydrologist checking groundwater levels around the state, he decided instead to take care of his infant son after his wife’s maternity leave was over. After their second son was born, Tristan continued on as a stay-at-home dad inculcating a love for books in his children by visiting the Phoenix Public Library at least once a week and and a love for the Sonoran Desert by taking his children on hikes (either on his back or holding their hands) throughout the many mountain preserves in Phoenix. In his free time he trains for and runs in ultramarathons throughout the southwest and volunteers with his family for the Creighton Community Foundation. Tristan Jones believes the schools in the Creighton School District should instill an appreciation of the natural world and physical fitness in its students, provide a safe and healthy environment for all children, and furnish an education that prepares its students for high school and beyond.

Nicole Marquez, Member

Nicole believes that effective public schools are essential for strong, healthy communities. She is an engaged parent of three school-aged children and a kind-hearted community leader who has built positive working relationships with parents, teachers, district leadership and local partners. She was the founding president of the Creighton Academy Parent Teacher Organization and is an active volunteer, having served on multiple district committees and helping to launch a district wide PTO initiative to empower parents with the knowledge and tools to organize effectively for their neighborhood schools. She holds bachelors degrees from ASU in Interdisciplinary Studies and Public Relations, and has experience in advocacy and non-profit work, as well as project management and administrative support. Nicole also serves on the board of the Urban Phoenix Project and strives to make Phoenix a more livable, equitable and sustainable city for future generations.

Attending a Meeting

Governing Board Meetings are scheduled as follows (unless otherwise posted):

Time: 6:00 p.m.

When: First and Third Tuesday of the Month, unless otherwise stated on the attachment below of the list of meetings.

Location: Creighton District Boardroom, 2052 N. 36th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008 ( map ) and via the following YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaYor_hN6CVHBWbMHWIJZuw.

Board Agendas: Board agendas are posted at least 24 hours prior to each meeting (Ref: Policy BEDA). To obtain a copy of the agenda, click here.

Statement of Location Where All Notices of the Meetings of the Creighton School District #14 Governing Board Will Be Posted:

Pursuant to A.R.S. §38-431.02, The Creighton School District #14 Governing Board hereby states that all notices of Board Meetings and any of its advisory committees will be posted at the Creighton School District Office located at 2702 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85016. This location is open to the public Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., with the exception of legal holidays, winter and spring break. Such notices will include the date, time, and place of the meetings and will include an agenda.

To Submit a Public Comment: We are open to the public, any individual desiring to address the Board shall complete the appropriate card and submit to the board assistant. Board members are not allowed to address items that are not on the agenda. Estamos abiertos al publico, cualquier persona que desee dirigirse a la Mesa Directiva deberá completar la tarjeta correspondiente y darsela a la asistente. Los miembros de la mesa no pueden tomar temas que no están en la agenda. (Policy ref: BEDH).

2025-2026 Meeting Schedule

Board Statements and Resolutions

The Creighton School District Governing Board has adopted the following statements:

Meeting Dates

CREIGHTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 14 SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS 2025-2026

The Governing Board shall hold a regular meeting at least once each month during the regular school year and may hold other meetings as often as called. If feasible, these meetings will take place in the District Board Room at Papago-West, 2052 N. 36th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, otherwise, they will be held virtually. Regular meetings will convene at 6:00 p.m., on the following dates (unless otherwise posted):

DATE OF MEETINGS

August 5, 2025
August 19, 2025
*September 23, 2025
*October 14, 2025
November 18, 2025
*December 9, 2025
January 13, 2026
February 17, 2026
*March 24, 2026
April 21, 2026
May 12, 2026
*June 23, 2026

2025-2026 - Meeting Schedule

* -Due to CUBE Conference

-2nd Tuesday due to Annual Financial Report

-2nd Tuesday due to Budget Revision

-4th Tuesday due to Spring Break

-4th Tuesday due to Budget

SC:hj Regular Meetings Adopted: 02.19.25

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