Cultum, Eric

Meet the Candidate

Running For:
School Board
District:
Agua Fria Union High School District
Age:
Vibrant & Mature
Occupation:
Educator - 34 Years (District Administrator, Principal, Teacher & Varsity Coach)
Education:
Bachelor Degree, 2 Master Degrees and Graduate Continuation Education.
Family:
Proud Son, Husband and Father of an amazing family!
Religion:
Christian
Biographical Info:

With a wonderful family heritage and amazing parents, I learned at a young age that Faith, Family and Country are #1. I am proud to be an American and thank God everyday that I’ve been given Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness in the United States of America. As the son of a U.S. Coast Guard Veteran, I am a patriot who values and appreciates the service of current and retired military personnel. Thank you to our Veterans! We live in the land of the free and the home of the brave!

Being a contributing member of society requires hard work, dedication and thinking beyond oneself. Being a contributing member of society requires servant leadership and a willingness to volunteer and become a community leader. Doing good comes from knowing that to whom much is given, much is expected. As a result, my efforts are intentional to bring light to the world through public service and leadership. I have one life to live and I will not sit idly by when our world needs transformational leadership. This type of leadership identifies areas of need and opportunities to make a difference and make the world better than it was found. This type of life is not for the living, or what one can personally profit, but for the loving of mankind. When my life is complete, what will remain is my love for God, for my wife, my kids and raising my family, friendship made and life of public service.

In addition to 34 years as an Educator, I have been asked to serve in local, County, State and National leadership positions. Each of these leadership positions influence and extend life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to those impacted. Every open door provides the opportunity for transformational change. Service opportunities include:

1. United States Department of the Interior – Bureau of Indian Education Exceptional Services
2. Arizona State – Governor’s Parents Commission on Drug Education and Prevention
4. Arizona State – STOP-IT Task Force – Opioid and Fetanol Education
5. Maricopa County Workforce Development – Youth Board
6. Chamber of Commerce – Education and Healthcare Committees
7. Agua Fria Foundation Board
8. Agua Fria High School District – School Board Member

Statement:

During the past 4 years as a school board member in the Agua Fria High School District, l’ve been leading and guiding the work of our Superintendent to meet and exceed strategic plan of providing a transformational education for our students. This plan prioritizes the education and safety of our students and preparing them for multiple opportunities prior to and following graduation. Our students will graduate with an amazing education but also hands-on internships and experiences that will prepare them for the next chapter of their life. All of this is experienced by wise planning and fiscal responsibility and lead to adding new high schools, remodeling existing facilities and academies with “No Tax Increase” override and bond elections. Our voters trust us and have supported these election initiatives as they see they are truly making a difference in our schools and strengthening our communities.

I am running for re-election to continue leading the district’s progress and strategic plan. Our existing board is very cohesive and works well together to ensure the focus of our leadership adheres to and monitors the Superintendent’s implementation of the strategic plan. I see the next 8 years of the strategic plan and am dedicated to ensure it is completely implemented. Our board and Superintendent are a cohesive team that will successfully implement our district’s strategic plan. Through authentic personal and professional relationships, our work creates partnership with our district and community members. We have 1 opportunity to help transform the lives of our students and we give it our all. I welcome your assistance and support for the success of our students!

Re-Elect ERIC CULTUM

School Board Member
Agua Fria High School District

Survey

Response Legend

  • SSupports
  • OOpposes
  • *Comment
  • −Declined to respond
  • †Declined to respond, Position based on citation
Question Response Comments/Notes
1. Requiring district and charter school officials, including teachers, to inform parents about their child’s social, mental, emotional, or physical health. S
2. Allowing parents to opt their children out of activities or lessons that offend their personal, moral, or religious beliefs. S
3. Increasing state and local taxes to provide more funding for schools and school facility projects. O* I am very proud of the Agua Fria High School District as it uses the annual monies provided by the U.S. Federal Government, the State of Arizona and existing override and bond measures and NOT raise any new taxes for our voters. We are a transparent and fiscally responsible board and ensure we comply with all Arizona Auditor requirements and use existing monies with budgetary control. We provide an excellent education for our students while also being fiscally responsible with what we receive in funding.
4. Requiring signed permission from a parent before a student may participate in any sexuality related instruction, activities, or clubs. S
5. Allowing all parents to use tax credits and publicly funded empowerment scholarship accounts to enable their children to attend any private, homeschool, or online academy of their choice. S* I support this question and must note that the use of tax credits and publicly funded empowerment scholarships for fraudulent uses are unacceptable. It should also be noted that the rules and laws that apply to the educating of students in public education should also apply to charter & public schools. Parents, including myself, have the right to determine the very best educational learning choices for their children. As a lifetime public educator and competitive athlete, public education needs to provide an exceptional product that draws families to our educational experience. Competition drives efforts toward exceptionalism.
6. Making available books and instructional materials that include sexually explicit images and themes in school classrooms and libraries. O* Sexually explicit images in books and instructional materials is against Arizona State Law. I follow the law!
7. Acquiring parental consent for school faculty and staff to refer to students by pronouns that do not align with the student’s birth sex. S* For adults over the age of 18, I respect their right to life choices and how they wish to live. In accordance with law, communication with parents/guardians is required. For minors and children under the legal age of 18, it is the parent/guardians right to receive communication and give consent related to their children. The job of a teacher, administrator, staff and school is to provide a "Free and Appropriate Public Education" (FAPE) for children, not mental health or counseling services to be provided by medical applicable professionals. The general conduct and overall well being of students are directly overseen by parents/guardians, not school staff. Schools communicate with parents information regarding students overall well being, academic performance, behaviors and any general concerns including social and emotional issues. A lack of parental communication and consent by parents to the school regarding their minor is deceptive and unprofessional conduct and may include employee termination and legal action. The trust of our public educational institutions is vital!
8. Allocating teacher pay raises based upon merit rather than providing uniform salary schedule increases based upon years of teaching or additional credentialing (e.g. master’s degrees). S* I support teachers receiving more pay based on merit. Every teacher is underpaid and labors in a challenging occupation. The current system of paying for both merit and salary schedule/years of experience and education is complicated, needs upgrading and I'd enjoy creating a system where merit would actually reward and increase teacher pay. As an Educator, I currently receive my work compensation based on both types of pay.
9. Implementing policies to allow students and faculty to use the restroom, locker room, and shower room based on self-identification rather than biological sex. O
10. Teaching what is known as diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI); social, emotional learning (SEL); or critical race theory (CRT) in public schools. O* It is the job of public education to instruct and train students with technical skills in Reading, Writing, Math, Science, Health/Fitness, Technology, Engineering, Architecture, History, Character Education and skills needed for post-graduate work, trades learning, community college, and 4 year universities. This is the purpose and focus of providing a Free and Appropriate Public Education as required by federal law. I always recommend that those who wish to learn about optional DEI, SEL and/or Critical Race Theory and political topics, take community college classes, online courses or do personal study to learn about them.
11. Requiring each district and charter school to post online a list of all curriculum and instructional materials being used in the classroom. S* All of this information should already be accessible and available for parents through schools, district website, district officials or public records request. Transparency is always the best practice!