Cactus Shadows PTO co-president announces run for district governing board

By Maya McFall
Mail

Sucheta Shah, co-president of the Cactus Shadows High School parent teacher organization, has announced her run for a seat on the Cave Creek Unified School District’s governing board.

Although Shah has been involved in the district for years, she recently decided to run for governing board since her son will be a senior in the fall.

A mother of two CCUSD students, Shah began volunteering with the district in 2009 as a reading corner parent and eventually a “Battle of the Books” coach. She became more involved with the district in 2014 when she volunteered as a room parent to monitor her son’s food allergies after being denied a 504 plan—a legally binding document that provides students with disabilities special accommodations in the classroom.

Her request for a 504 plan was later denied three more times, which prompted her to continue her involvement in the district.

“As the years went on I became more frustrated, as did another mom, and one of us would chaperone all parties, birthday book club, and field trips otherwise we wouldn’t let our boys attend,” she said. “If a 504 was in place, it would not be a guarantee, but a safeguard of information to allow students to participate equally in activities without the need for their parent to monitor. The district should have a policy in place to trigger a 504 meeting for any disability or medical condition…This protects the student and the school district.”

In 2020, she became the teacher liaison on the Horse Shoe Trails Elementary School PTO and held a chair on the committee. When her son moved to Sonoran Trails middle school, she became treasurer and later the president of the school’s PTO.

She joined the Cave Creek Unified Education Foundation—a registered non-profit led by parents and community members that supports CCUSD financially—as vice-chair and served through November of last year. Finally, in 2024, she became co-president of the CSHS PTO.

Outside of the district, Shah  has been a college instructor for over 11 years, teaching various business courses at different universities, such as New England College, University of Arizona Global Campus, and Excelsior College. She also owns and runs SourceCivis LLC, which is a consulting firm for educational institutions to help evaluate, improve, and implement procurement and vendor management processes.

She earned a Master of Business Administration degree in 2015 and has certifications in Six Sigma, project management, ethics and change management.

A Six Sigma certification is a credential that affirms one’s expertise in improving business processes, reducing defects and increasing efficiency using data-drive methodologies, according to the Six Sigma Institute.

Shah aims to use her experiences to help improve the district.

“Over the years, there has been a steady decline in enrollment and financial resources. I am hoping to gain deeper insight into the district processes, data, job roles, and marketing, and offer suggestions for improvement,” she said. “I know there will be difficult choices to make, but I will keep the Student as my priority as they are the 'customer'.”

Shah plans to attend community events to gain signatures and support. Her goal is 400 signatures before the deadline July 9.

“I understand parents' frustrations, as I have had my share as well. But, I also know we have amazing teachers and have made great connections with them over the years,” she said. “I hope my experiences will be helpful to CCUSD.”