FAQs – Carrie Buck for PYLUSD

Question 1

Who is Carrie Buck?

Accepted Answer

Carrie Buck is the current PYLUSD School Board Trustee for Area 5 and Board President. She is the daughter of two special education educators, the mother of three PYLUSD graduates, and a nonprofit leader dedicated to ending youth and family homelessness. She has served the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District with a commitment to academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, and transparent governance.

Question 2

What area does Carrie represent?

Accepted Answer

Carrie represents PYLUSD Area 5, which includes Valencia High School, El Camino High School, Kraemer Middle School, Morse Elementary School, Rose Drive Elementary School, Van Buren Elementary School, and Tynes Elementary School. If you live within the Area 5 boundary, you will see Carrie Buck on your November ballot.

Question 3

When is the election?

Accepted Answer

The election is in November 3, 2026. Make sure you are registered to vote and that your address falls within PYLUSD Area 5 to cast your vote for Carrie Buck.

Question 4

How can I support the campaign?

Accepted Answer

There are several ways to support Carrie's re-election campaign: make a financial donation, volunteer to canvas your neighborhood, request a yard sign, or simply spread the word to friends and family. Visit the Join the Campaign section on our homepage to get started.

Question 5

How do I donate to the campaign?

Accepted Answer

You can donate online through our secure donation page. Every contribution — no matter the size — helps us connect with families and ensure voters understand what is at stake. Contributions under $99 may remain anonymous. Click the Donate Today button on any page to contribute.

Question 6

Can I request a yard sign?

Accepted Answer

Yes! You can request a yard sign by filling out the Join the Campaign form on our homepage. Check the “Request a Yard Sign” box and we will be in touch to arrange delivery or pickup.

Question 7

How do I volunteer to canvas?

Accepted Answer

We welcome volunteers of all experience levels. Fill out the Join the Campaign form on our homepage and check the “Volunteer to Canvas” box. A member of our team will reach out with details on upcoming canvassing events in your neighborhood.

Question 8

What are Carrie's priorities if re-elected?

Accepted Answer

Carrie is committed to strengthening the district's financial future, advancing academic excellence, supporting special education, expanding athletics and arts opportunities, and ensuring every student has the resources they need to succeed. She will continue working to build trust through integrity and transparent governance.

Question 9

How do I check if I live in Area 5?

Accepted Answer

Visit the homepage and scroll to the Area 5 Schools section to view the district map. If your address falls within the red boundary shown on the map, you are in Area 5 and will have the opportunity to vote for Carrie Buck in November.

Question 10

How can I contact the campaign?

Accepted Answer

You can reach the campaign by filling out the contact form on our homepage. We will respond as quickly as possible. You can also follow campaign updates through our official social media channels.

Question 11

What are the CAB Bonds?

Accepted Answer

Despite cries of impending financial doom, Capital Appreciation Bonds were part of the Measure A bond package approved by Orange County voters in 2008. The bonds allowed PYLUSD to upgrade facilities and instructional technology across the district, build Yorba Linda High School Stadium and pool as well as the district Performing Arts Center at El Dorado High School. Measure A Bonds allowed PYLUSD to apply for matching state funds cutting taxpayer costs in half. The repayment schedule was across 36 years with the payment amounts and dates set when the bonds were issued — there are NO unexpected balloon payments. The financing plan anticipated new housing around YLHS. As those homes were built, their high property values expanded the tax base and helped repay the voter-approved bonds, reducing the cost to existing homeowners. The Shapell family also donated the land for YLHS, significantly lowering the project’s cost. California later strengthened CAB rules after other districts issued unusually expensive bonds. The 2013 law added limits and greater transparency but did not change previously issued bonds or their repayment schedules.

Question 12

What did the CAB bonds fund?

Accepted Answer

Every school campus within the Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District received bond funds. Bond funds were used to improve school facilities, upgrade technology, and construct additional classroom and student performance facilities. Projects included upgrading computer and instructional technology at all district schools, constructing the pool facility at Yorba Linda High School, modernizing classrooms at multiple elementary and middle schools, constructing multi-purpose gymnasiums at El Dorado and Esperanza High Schools, constructing the District Music Hall at El Dorado High School, renovating Bradford Stadium, and constructing the District Stadium at Yorba Linda High School, among many other improvements.

Question 13

What is Carrie’s position on special education?

Accepted Answer

As the daughter of a special education teacher and a director of special education, Carrie was raised to believe that every child can succeed when provided with appropriate resources, high expectations, and caring, well-trained educators. An excellent, responsive special education department is essential to ensuring every student receives the support and opportunity to thrive. Carrie supports continued improvement in student outcomes, strong training and mentoring for new staff, and responsive communication with families. Parents must be respected as essential partners and confident that their concerns will be heard and addressed. She will continue advocating for excellent special education programs that recognize each student’s strengths, meet their individual needs, and provide the high-quality education every child deserves.

Question 14

Why is district enrollment down?

Accepted Answer

The drivers behind Orange County’s decline mirror the state and national picture, but are intensified by the region’s high cost of living. County officials point to long-term factors such as lower birth rates, high housing costs, and shifts in where families are choosing to live. Rising housing costs have pushed younger families to migrate to more affordable areas outside the region. Declining enrollment is especially prevalent in Orange and Los Angeles counties, outpacing the statewide average. Countywide enrollment fell by about 1.7 percent in 2025–26, dropping to 422,351 students — a decrease of roughly 7,500 students compared with the previous year. Without a significant shift in regional population patterns, experts expect Orange County districts to continue facing enrollment pressure in the years ahead.

Question 15

What is Carrie’s position on charter schools?

Accepted Answer

Carrie believes charter schools can provide valuable educational options for students and families when they respond to community needs and complement traditional public schools. Charter schools should be authorized and overseen by the locally elected governing board, which is directly accountable to district students, families, employees, and taxpayers. Our experience with Magnolia Charter School demonstrates why local oversight and responsible leadership matter — the district was forced to surrender half of Esperanza High School’s West Campus for a total of 5 students, spending hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars that could have served the other 22,000 students in the district. Any charter school receiving public funds must meet rigorous academic, financial, operational, and ethical standards, operate transparently, and be held accountable for student outcomes.

Question 16

What is Carrie’s approach to politics on the school board?

Accepted Answer

Good district leadership begins with listening, learning, and staying connected with parents regardless of party affiliation. Carrie visits schools and speaks directly with students, parents, teachers, and staff to understand what is working, where support is needed, and what matters most to the community. She brings that input to the boardroom, where she contributes to strategic planning, policy development, and responsible budget decisions. In 2025, she helped lead the process of hiring a superintendent whose leadership is already producing positive results. Her focus is not politics — it is providing steady, experienced leadership, holding the district accountable, and making decisions based on what will best serve students and strengthen schools.

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