Tara Payton named next principal at Bluff Creek Elementary

Eastern Carver County School District is excited to name Tara Payton as the next principal of Bluff Creek Elementary School. Payton will join the ECCS community on July 1, 2026, and succeeds Beth Holm, who is moving to a leadership position in the district office.

Payton has 25 years of diverse experience in education. She is currently serving as assistant  principal at Mississippi Elementary School in the Anoka-Hennepin School District, a position she has held since 2022. Prior to joining Anoka-Hennepin, she was principal at Heritage Elementary School in the Olathe Unified School District in Kansas. She has also worked as an elementary library media specialist and third and fourth grade teacher. She earned her bachelor’s in elementary education from Kansas State University, master’s in educational technology from Pittsburg State University, and master’s in school leadership from Baker University.

Payton earned the position following a rigorous and thorough interview process that started with a pool of over 70 candidates. Her deep experience in elementary education and commitment to student growth and academic success, empowering educators to be their best, and fostering strong family partnerships and engagement make her an outstanding addition to our Bluff Creek Elementary team. We are proud to welcome Tara to Bluff Creek’s community of learners, teachers, and all who work to benefit young people.