Carolyn Huggins has withdrawn from the Sedona-Oak Creek School District Governing Board race.
An incumbent, Huggins was running against incumbent Karen McClelland and challenger Zac Richardson for one of two open seats on the board. Huggins’ departure effectively makes the race uncontested.

Yavapai County School Superintendent Tim Carter received a letter from Huggins on Friday, Sept. 24, formally withdrawing her candidacy from the election.

“At this time, I need to remove my name from the school board election for Sedona-Oak Creek School District No. 9 because of family and personal reasons,” Huggins wrote in a letter to Carter. “I intend to remain in my position until the end of my term.”

Huggins’ term is set to expire Friday, Dec. 31.

Due to the late timing of Huggins’ withdrawal, her name will still appear on mail-in and in-person ballots, which have already been printed. Any votes for Huggins will be considered void because she has withdrawn from the election.

“I loved being on the board,” Huggins said Monday, Sept. 27. “It’s been a wonderful five years. I loved working with the board and [former Superintendent] Mike Aylstock.”

She said the Governing Board has worked smoothly under President Bobbie Surber. Board members don’t work as individuals but put everything personal aside to work as a team for the benefit of the district’s students.

“I’m just one vote out of five,” Huggins said.

She said the board’s accomplishments include the passing of the $73 million school bond and remodeling all three schools in the district. The latest project the board will soon begin is remodeling the district office on Brewer Road.

The new building will house the district’s information technology equipment and offers just about as much office space and storage as the old building.

“It’s going to be a wonderful addition to a building that has gone way past its usefulness,” Huggins said.
The biggest challenge facing the district in the future will be state funding.

“For the next three or four years, it’s all going to all be about money,” Huggins said. “There is going to be a cut in the funding for schools. It basically hurts students, and I feel very bad for that. But we have a really good administrative team that has kept a close eye on the budget.”

“We sincerely thank Mrs. Huggins for her dedicated service to the school district,” Carter’s office stated in a press release. “We also appreciate her notice and the understanding of voters within the Sedona-Oak Creek School District.”